10 Tips for the Suddenly Unemployed
Author Jennifer Kushell
For the tens of thousands who have lost their jobs, and the millions of others fearing for the jobs they still have, YSN.com 's Jennifer Kushell shares these tips to survive the initial shock -- and bounce back like a star.Read the First Tip Jennifer Kushell is President & Co-founder of YSN (Your Success Network) and author of "Secrets of the Young & Successful: How to Get Everything You Want Without Waiting a Lifetime."
Breathe. Stay Calm.
The worst decisions are made under pressure, stress, or in a state of fear. Don't allow yourself to be rash or irrational; keep your wits about you and commit to making it through this in one piece. Get a sense for what this layoff really means to you and what the real repercussions will be.
By Jennifer Kushell
Look at This As an Opportunity.
You know what they always say, "It's not what happens to you, but what you do about it." That might not be what you want to hear right now, but think about it: This sudden change could have a silver lining -- so commit yourself to finding it. Take some time for yourself, even just a few quiet hours alone and reflect on all the things you truly liked and disliked about your job.
By Jennifer Kushell
Audit Your Online Identity.
Start paying close attention to your reputation management, to the platform that you've built for yourself online (if any) and to what new people will perceive about you when they google you. If you don't like what you see online, or want to take control of that first impression you're giving off, build a professional identity you can be proud of with a PROJO - your professional mojo .
By Jennifer Kushell
Stay Connected to Your Network.
You probably have a lot more friends, colleagues and supporters than you realize. Survey your address books, PDA, business card files and social networks to see who's really in your inner circle and wider network and who might be able to help lead you to some new prospective opportunities. Talk to friends and family and see who they know.
By Jennifer Kushell
Assess Your Financial Situation.
The first serious thing you need to do once you have the ability to think calmly and rationally (see #1 ) is to figure out the true state of your financial affairs. If you can, sit down with a financial consultant who will know how to ask you the right questions to get a proper assessment. Take a very careful look at any severance (if you're lucky), benefits packages (like insurance policies, 401ks, etc.) that you may be able to "roll over" from your old company's plan. (Take care of this right away too!)
By Jennifer Kushell
Ride the Coat Tails of Senior Execs.
If you've done a good job of befriending and staying tight with your bosses and other senior management, it might just pay off in real dividends now. Keep in close contact with them!!!
By Jennifer Kushell
Use Your Leverage.
What can you do to leverage the experience you've had so far and the skills you've been building? What do you know that others want to? (Besides proprietary trade secrets!) How can you use what you've learned to your benefit and to others?
By Jennifer Kushell
Open Yourself Up to New Opportunities.
Employment prospects or ideas you hear about from friends and relatives might not sound quite right at first, but give them a chance to explain -- and yourself a chance to explore a bit. Don't limit your attention to a very narrow set of options right after a layoff. Try to imagine yourself working in a whole new scenario and consider whether you might find happiness in some other industry or way than you'd previously envisioned. Ask a bunch of questions...even just to humor yourself.
By Jennifer Kushell
Stay Healthy...Or Make This Your Big Chance to GET Healthy.
Whether you've been really diligent about taking care of yourself while employed or have totally forgotten what an athletic shoe feels like on your foot, make your health a major priority now.
By Jennifer Kushell
Use This As Preparation for the Next Big Shake-up in Your Life.
Right now this might seem like the end of the world, but the good news is that if you can weather this storm, you'll only be better prepared for the next one. Though we'd like to say this will never happen again, the truth is that life is a cycle of ups and downs, and preparation is the key to surviving it all.JenniferKushell.com or YSN.com .
By Jennifer Kushell
