You can’t deny the fact that the few minutes and hours after being laid off are the worst you can ever face. The worst part about it is that you can never be prepared enough to lose your job even if you knew it’s a possibility.
But, at the end of the day, you have to dust yourself and move on. That’s why today we’re all about seeing the glass as half-full instead of half-empty.
In case you’re currently in this situation or are wondering what you’d do after being laid off, we have some tips to help you below.
Companies Across All Industries are Laying People Off
Meta and Twitter recently laid off thousands of their employees. But that’s not a tech thing. There is a current layoff trend cutting across all industries.
Several businesses across the country have been laying off their employees in a growing trend. Businesses blame the decision on the rising labor costs and the slow economic recovery from the shocks created by the Covid 19 pandemic.
If you have been laid off, you can derive consolation from knowing you are just a victim of involuntary business decisions your employer had to make. Most important, here are things to do immediately after being laid off.
1. Take a Hiatus
The logical thing to do after losing your job in such tough economic times is to get back on the horse at the earliest possible. Doing this may seem like the responsible thing to do because you have to pay your bills.
But, it may not be the best thing to do in the long term. You should use this period to think hard about your career path and determine whether you are where you would want to be.
The rush may even frustrate you more. As established, the layoff crisis cuts across all industries. This means that the economy is not ready yet to create new job opportunities.
It would be best to take a breather from your normal busy life and get your body into a relaxed mood. Remember how you always said if you had free time you would go hiking, camping, or even kayaking? Use that time to do so.
You will be glad you did. It’ll help you to deal with the emotional roller coaster you are currently experiencing and get in the right frame of mind.
2. Reset Your Mind and Plan Your Next Move
Losing your job unexpectedly may have some negative psychological impact on you. It may cause you to feel embarrassed, lower your esteem, or elevate stress depending on other situations you may be facing in life.
A good place to start is to create a positive mindset about your situation. Understand that being laid off is not a reflection of your skillset. And that it will shape your next career decisions.
The first question you ought to ask yourself is whether your previous job aligned with your passions. If not, would you like to pursue a career that aligns with your passions? And if so, do you have the skills for a career in the fields that excite you?
If you are focused on being happy doing what you love, a lack of the relevant skills shouldn’t deter you. You can take the time to learn those skills you need.
3. Consider Being a Virtual Assistant
Becoming a virtual assistant is one of the avenues to getting paid to do what you love. It comes with the fun package of being able to work from home.
The best part about being a VA is that there is a wide range of fields you can pursue. There are many career options to choose from depending on your passion. For example, you may become a social media manager, graphics designer, SEO content writer, or digital marketer.
If your previous job was in accounting and finance, you can still do this on a freelance basis. Many entrepreneurs are seeking virtual assistants to provide bookkeeping services.
Being a virtual assistant offers you more freedom; you work when you want and for the rates you prefer.
4. Conduct a Financial Assessment
Being laid off will have an impact on your finances. You can’t assume that things will continue being the same with the loss of an income.
You cannot also predict when you will secure your next employment opportunity. Also, if you choose to become a VA, you cannot predict when you will get your first client.
A financial assessment will show you where you stand financially. It is also a good opportunity to review areas where you can tighten your budget to minimize the possibility of a personal financial crisis.
Your assessment should also include your retirement/ pension plans and health insurance benefits. If your employer was contributing to these plans, you may need to review what options are available to you now that you are unemployed.
5. Create Some New Routines
Among the ways to remain positive in the face of your current job loss is to create new routines that align with your new decisions. You want to keep your mind engaged and productive.
The new routines you make will be influenced by the new career decisions you have made. For example, if you have decided to acquire certain skills to enable you to pursue a career of your passion, you can get a part-time job on the side.
Such a routine will enable you to remain busy and avoid straining your budget as much. Moreover, you can also schedule time for an intense job search.
Now would also be a good time to reach out to your networks. Your networks will be vital in landing your next job, particularly if you are looking to switch industries. They may point you to jobs or introduce you to other exciting entrepreneurial activities.
How to Become a Virtual Assistant
We have the solution you are looking for if you like the idea of being paid to do what you love. Join the Free VA Mixer hosted by Marie and learn the tips and tricks on how to become a successful VA.