Acknowledging the emotional impact of a layoff and giving yourself time to grieve can facilitate a smoother job transition.
Shifting your mindset to view a layoff as an opportunity enables creative problem-solving and enhances your chances of finding better roles.
Deep dives
Understanding the Layoff Transition
Many individuals facing a layoff underestimate the time required for a successful career transition. The common assumption is that job searching will be a quick process, often estimated at two to three months. However, transitions can take much longer, with most individuals facing a timeline of six months to a year, especially in high-income positions. This delay is largely due to the complexities involved in finding a suitable job that aligns with one's experience, necessitating a more realistic approach to timing.
The Importance of Grieving
Loss from a layoff is often accompanied by what psychologists refer to as invisible grief, which is not widely recognized in society. Individuals experience a spectrum of emotions, ranging from relief to disbelief, and addressing these feelings is essential for a smooth transition. Building time into one's plan to process this grief can significantly improve the efficacy of the job search later. Those who acknowledge and integrate grieving into their transition planning tend to navigate the process more successfully.
Reframing Mindset for Success
Adopting a mindset that views a layoff as an opportunity rather than a setback plays a critical role in facilitating a career transition. This perspective shift can unlock creative problem-solving capabilities that are essential during the job search. Individuals who embrace the notion that 'this happened for me' rather than 'this happened to me' can accelerate their recovery and reduce the time they remain in transition. Engaging with this mindset not only fosters resilience but also enables individuals to capitalize on new opportunities.
Targeted Job Search Strategies
To compete effectively in a crowded job market following a layoff, individuals need to adopt strategic approaches beyond just updating their resumes. One effective tactic is hyper-focusing on targeted applications, ensuring that resumes are customized for specific roles to increase the chance of being noticed. Additionally, leveraging existing networks to explore 'backdoor' opportunities is often more fruitful than conventional application methods. Building relationships and familiarity within potential organizations can significantly enhance one's chances of securing a desirable position.
You’ve been laid off, or someone close to you is navigating that reality right now. A lot of the first things we think to do after a layoff are wrong. In this episode, Scott and I explore what to avoid…and more importantly, where to begin anew.
Key Points
Most people underestimate the time it takes to make a transition to the next, right position.
Submitting tons of applications, networking everywhere, and telling everyone that you’re looking feels productive, but is often either incomplete or a waste of time.
Give yourself the space to grieve. Spend time with the people who care about you.
This didn’t happen to you, it happened for you. Whether objectively true or not, this mindset will help you be intentional about next actions.
Hyperfocus your targeting by creating a master resume and also considering backdoors to opportunities.
Decide when to hire help by using math – how much will expertise help speed up the process and/or help you land a higher salary?
In this midst of a layoff? Feeling stagnant in your current role? Scott Barlow and his team may be able to help as official partners of Coaching for Leaders. To discover more about how his team can support you, get in touch on our expert partners page.
