{"id":551,"date":"2024-06-10T04:15:54","date_gmt":"2024-06-10T11:15:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lenpenzo.com\/blog\/?p=551"},"modified":"2024-06-15T12:39:05","modified_gmt":"2024-06-15T19:39:05","slug":"how-to-stay-employed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lenpenzo.com\/blog\/id551-how-to-stay-employed.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Stay Employed: 7 Ways to Immunize Yourself from the Layoff Bug"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"hot<\/a>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.<\/p>\n

I’ve seen lots of advice on the web centered around the theme “You’re laid off, now what.”\u00a0 But that’s a pitifully reactive response that doesn’t offer the maximum protection to you, your family or<\/strong><\/em> your household finances.<\/p>\n

A competent household CEO<\/a> doesn’t wait before figuring out what to do next. This is especially true if they’re the lone bread-winner in the family.<\/p>\n

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:<\/p>\n

Step 1: Make Your Emergency Fund the Top Priority<\/h3>\n

Serious household CEOs who run their household like a business<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

Step 2: Expand Your Network<\/h3>\n

When you look at all the factors responsible for getting a new job<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

Step 3: Apply for Unemployment Insurance Benefits<\/h3>\n

I know; it sounds crazy, but some people forget to do this. So it’s officially in my plan.<\/p>\n

Step 4: Take a Step Back<\/h3>\n

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:<\/p>\n