During tough economic times, it’s only natural to wonder how to stay employed. Very few of us are immune from the specter of receiving a pink slip. In fact, I know of one married couple who both got laid off on the same day.
I’ve seen lots of advice on the web centered around the theme “You’re laid off, now what.” But that’s a pitifully reactive response that doesn’t offer the maximum protection to you, your family or your household finances.
A competent household CEO doesn’t wait before figuring out what to do next. This is especially true if they’re the lone bread-winner in the family.
The fact is, it’s your duty to ensure that you take an offensive posture. Why? Because doing so will minimize any disruptions and impacts. Of course, everybody’s circumstances are different, so no two action plans will be exactly alike. Here is my action plan for how to stay employed:
Step 1: Make Your Emergency Fund the Top Priority
Serious household CEOs who run their household like a business ensure they have at least three – but preferably six – months of living expenses in a rainy day savings account. For many people, that may require scaling back vacation plans and cooking every meal at home. It may also require delaying home renovations and other big-ticket purchases until that account is fully funded.
Step 2: Expand Your Network
When you look at all the factors responsible for getting a new job, 90% of it is attributable to who you know. Expand business and social contacts at every opportunity. If you haven’t already, sign up for social networking sites like Facebook and business networking sites like LinkedIn; it may not help, but it certainly can’t hurt.
Step 3: Apply for Unemployment Insurance Benefits
I know; it sounds crazy, but some people forget to do this. So it’s officially in my plan.
Step 4: Take a Step Back
Take a week or two off to put aside emotions and think rationally about practical questions that need to be answered regarding your future such as:
- Should I try to get employment with another company or become self-employed?
- Am I willing/prepared to uproot my family and relocate?
- Should I go into business as a consultant, or maybe look into new business opportunities?
While you’re enjoying the time off, don’t forget to also:
Step 5: Reassess and Reprioritize
Reassess where your money is being spent and determine how long you can make ends meet on your severance package, unemployment insurance and rainy day savings funds.
If you’re the sole bread winner like I am, you may need to have your spouse take on a temporary job to help supplement the household income until you can find a new job.
In the meantime, ensure that the use of credit cards to make up any slack in income is also strictly prohibited.
As for what to do with your 401k if you lose your job, you should avoid tapping that too, if only to avoid the onerous tax penalties that come with making early withdrawals.
Step 6: Consider Delaying Your COBRA Decision
COBRA is a federal law that allows you to continue your health care coverage after you are laid off. You’re responsible for paying the cost of the coverage, which tends to be expensive. The law gives you 60 days to decide on whether or not you want COBRA coverage — so you may not want to rush. After all, you may get a job before the 60-day time period has elapsed, so why commit up front for expensive coverage you may not need?
Step 7: Treat Your Job Search Like a Job
After your one- or two-week rest period is over, start your new temporary job of finding new employment. Get up at the same time you did with your old job and wear business attire. Then concentrate the bulk of your work day on finding a new job.
Most importantly, don’t dwell on the past. Instead, commit to focus on the new opportunities that surely lie ahead. When planning how to stay employed, you need to take an offensive approach and implement an action plan before you’re laid off. Doing so will leave you in a much better position than if you wait until after you get a pink slip.
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(This is an updated version of an article that was originally published on Dec 15, 2015.)
Photo Credit: david_shankbone
I’ve been in this situation and the last one is key and really helped me out. I was laid off during the summer so I took the opportunity to enjoy the time, but what I did is split my time where morning was work time, and I was at my computer all morning looking for jobs, applying, following up, etc. Having that routine really kept me moving, and I was able to find a job relatively quickly, something that isn’t always easy in the summer months when many people who make hiring decisions tend to be off.
How long did it take before you finally found a new job, MB?
Been there, done that. Twice.
It’s never fun being laid off, even if you have a nice emergency fund and get a good severance package. Finding a job is always easier if you have one than if you don’t, and the older you get, the more obvious that becomes.
All the more reason to network now, with your coworkers, sure, but more importantly with coworkers from previous companies, and within professional organizations. The more people you know, the more people can help you find your next position.
“Finding a job is always easier if you have one than if you don’t …”
That’s what I hear, Jack. There is also a lot less pressure involved.
I was laid off earlier this spring, and I’m glad to say that I followed this list exactly! I had a 3 month e-fund, applied for unemployment, took Covered CA instead of COBRA, and hustled like I’ve never hustled before. Thanks to networking, I found another position in three weeks! So this is a good plan to survive a layoff!
That’s great to hear, Alyssa!
Mine is a bit different. My “emergency fund” is my retirement stash and holds several years of living expenses (excluding income tax) in FDIC insured bank deposits that earn nada, but I have confidence this would be last to fail in a crisis.
I don’t bother with Facebook or LinkedIn to expand my professional network. Instead I go the extra mile on high visibility projects with my current employer. This means providing my skills and effort to other departments and functions, and even helping deal with irate customers (which is not my job), wherever my expertise can be useful. People who glance at a photo and read a self-description on social media don’t “know you” in any meaningful sense. Those who read my reports and see my presentations have a pretty good idea what I can deliver. I also include in my e-mail signature an html link to a USPTO database query on my name as inventor– this is my one-click “resume”.
Steps 3 to 7 are easy for me– I’ll retire because my portfolio income can cover my living expenses, then if I get bored, I’ll send out e-mails to former colleagues and clients to ask if they know of any projects I can help them with. It’s not my intention to hunt for work, so I would not file for unemployment benefits, but I plan to take advantage of California’s 3-year COBRA.
Great comments and an exactly right article for any looming tough times. Some of the points don’t apply to Canadians, like needing heath coverage etc, but by and large bang on.
A few points:
If you are a good employee, remember, it isn’t personal and don’t take it thus. Union layoffs go by seniority and/or a mix of seniority and job category known in the ‘trade’ as jurisdiction.
Non union layoffs can feel personal, and it hurts. But don’t dwell on it. It usually isn’t but it feels very personal for everyone who goes through it.
If it actually is personal, and you feel it was some kind of ‘hit’, you can do better anyway and they have done you a favour with the layoff. Move on. Any company that acts like that isn’t worth working for. eff ’em.
Looking for work is very much a full time job, and here are a few tips.
Know something, in fact, know all about the companies your are applying to. Make sure you are going to ‘fit’, for both you and the organisation.
Go in person if at all possible, and even hound them if you want to work there. Try and schedule an information interview with ‘someone’. Research who you need to see or phone. Here is something many people don’t know. Resumes, electronic and physical, are often first screened by algorithm, or by a secretary. You can be the greatest potential employee ever imagined and your resume may go no farther than the wastebasket or deleted file. I was a manager for an airline and once caught a secretary sifting out some pilot resumes. She just assumed that responsibility because she sorted the mail. True story.
Network. network. network. Old friends and colleagues may know of the perfect job and don’t even know you need one.
Some employment talent agencies are great, and some are absolutely useless. Beware of the cookie cutter buzz word approach that sounds so PC you want to puke. They will be laughed at. Remember the airline I worked at? If a really bad resume came in we would gather around and read it aloud. Yes, they can be that bad.
You need to ‘dress’ appropriately for any visit or interview on site.
And, if looking for work is a full time job, then use any extra time to upgrade your skills. Mention this in the information interview.
I’ve hired lots of people, and even if there isn’t an opening right now savvy folks are always keeping in mind a good future employee. Always.
If turned down and someone else gets the job, follow up and thank the powers for the opportunity to be interviewed. I have seen the new hire not pan out, and/or not show up for one reason or another. Guess who will get the call to come in? It will be the person who showed the extra initiative and professionalism.
If you have been a social media idiot in the past, God help you. You may have cooked your goose. It hangs around forever and it is searched for before an interview is even scheduled. Stay off the ‘rants and raves’, and don’t post dodgy pictures or opinions.
Don’t badmouth your last employer. Just be honest but stay professional.
Lastly, look at a layoff as an opportunity for change, improvement, or maybe even a new lifestyle, altogether. It might be the best thing that ever happened.
Over the years I have had to fire a few people. It can be disguised as a layoff as need be. It feels very very shitty because you are affecting someone’s life. And once I even worked for a company that the owner took delight in firing people. In fact, I was one of several pilots let go one November 24th so the owner would not have to pay for Christmas and Boxing day stats. (yes, people like that do exist). Age 24, new mortgage, newer baby at home, no pay cheque one month before Christmas. Best thing that ever happened to me. In hindsight. 🙂