Like many other people in the United States, I have been recently laid off. It happened about a month ago. I had started a normal Friday morning, and before I knew it, I was invited into a meeting with my direct supervisor and an HR representative. In a few minutes, my job as a content writer—one that I enjoyed and was very devoted to—was gone. At least, I consoled myself after the meeting, I didn’t burst into tears immediately; instead I was steely and held myself together. (Yay, me!)
Getting laid off can be difficult, and not just because you’ve lost a source of income. Losing a job can make you question your worth, as the purpose you’ve devoted yourself to for much of your daily life is gone. So is your regular routine and the camaraderie you shared with your co-workers.
Find Balance
Since being laid off, I’ve thrown myself wholeheartedly into finding a new writing or editing position. Maybe too much so. Now that I don’t have to devote 8 hours of my day to a job, I should have time to do things like make healthier meals for myself, get some more exercise—heck, even play with my cute Shih Tzu pup more. But I haven’t been having that time. Instead, I find myself sitting at my computer all day applying for job after job as the dishes pile up and beautiful spring days go by unnoticed. It feels good to be hard at work, but it’s not the healthiest way to conduct a job search. These are some pointers I’ve learned. I will try to implement them and maybe they can help you, too, if you’re in the same position.
Create a schedule
You may desire a routine, so go ahead and reserve a few hours every work day to network, improve your resume and look for jobs. But don’t let it consume your every waking hour. When the time you’ve allotted for your search is over, go do something else—whether it’s getting together with a friend or running errands. Make it a habit to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day to maintain a consistent and healthy sleep schedule.
Invest in self-care
You may be tempted to binge-watch your favorite TV show while consuming a bag of Doritos. This might be OK once or twice, but don’t allow this urge to take over. Find ways to treat yourself right, like taking a daily walk, planning healthy meals for yourself, and making wellness appointments. These may be easier to keep now that you’re not on the clock.
Think about getting important health screenings done (especially if you have COBRA and they are still covered), get your physical, have your hair cut or your nails done—it’ll be easier to take care of these self-care tasks now, before you have a new position. Of, course, you might have to limit your spending, so look for ways to cut costs. For instance, I recently downloaded the app for Supercuts, where I can get low-cost haircuts, earn points for discounts, and take advantage of deals. I have been also making a concerted effort to work through the food in my pantry and freezer before buying new groceries or getting take-out.
Pick Up New Skills
Use the time you have now to learn new things that you can apply to your career. For instance, a lot has changed over the three-plus years that I was employed in my most recent position. For example, many companies now now use AI to screen resumes. If your resume isn’t written in a format that can be easily read by AI scanners, your application may not get through the initial screenings. I am bummed about that because I applied for many jobs right after being laid off, and my applications might be unreadable by AI. I’ve been told it’s best to have your resume in a plain font and to incorporate applicable keywords that correlate with the position you’re applying for; also tailor your resume for each job posting.
I recently participated in a webinar hosted by talent acquisition company, Creative Circle, in which I learned many of these tips. Additionally, I have also participated in free seminars that I was invited to as a blogger, such as about SEO strategies. LinkedIn offers a variety of career courses, such as those available through its Premium subscription.
Enjoy Your Free Time
Try to have at least some fun—pick up a hobby, get involved with your community, or find ways to meet new people. Being active can keep your spirits up; plus connecting with others may help you network and locate your next role. I am hoping to spend more time gardening and working on my lawn; doing so may also help me save money. I’ve also downloaded the Meetup app; through it I’ve discovered local groups that host local hikes and other fun activities I can participate in with others.
Get Support
Losing a job is devastating—don’t hesitate to ask for assistance. Let your friends and family help uplift you during this difficult time; look into professional counseling if you’re struggling. Also reach out to others who are also unemployed; doing so can create a helpful security net for you both. For instance, I have been in touch with a former coworker of mine who was laid off the same day I was. We share helpful tips and send each other job postings and exchange advice. It’s been really helpful and comforting; it’s also nice to hold onto a bit of the community we enjoyed while employed together.
This is what I’ve learned so far—if you have tips to share, please share them in the comments! (Thanks in advance!)
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