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Laid Off? Stimulate Your Job Search.
Laid Off? Stimulate Your Job Search.
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Even as the wheels of the country’s economy try to get back on track, professionals in all lines of work continue to run the risk of hearing those dreaded words: “We’re eliminating your position”, or “We’re downsizing”. Regardless of how delicately it is put, the harsh reality is you’ve just been laid off. And with the national unemployment rate hovering around 10% Bureau of Labor Statistics , you are not alone. What do you do now? Even if you are among the fortunate to avoid the swinging lay-off pendulum, it’s best to be prepared.
In fact, if a lay-off appears imminent, preparation is the key, according to Alison Doyle, job search expert for About.com.
“Every professional should have a plan in place before they get laid-off because you don’t know when or if it will happen to you. That said, if you haven’t prepared for a lay-off, the most important step to take is to get positioned to job search – update your resume, create a LinkedIn Profile, connect with anyone and everyone who might be able to help with your job search, and to start looking for jobs.
Doyle, who has written for About.com since 1998, says the very first step following a lay-off is to apply for unemployment insurance. “It’s important to get your claim filed as soon as possible,” says Doyle. In addition, professionals should have a clear understanding of what benefits, if any, they are eligible for through their previous employer.
“Check with your employer on continuation of benefits. You may be eligible for health insurance via COBRA and may have other company provided benefits. Know what you are entitled to receive and how you will collect the benefits,” explains Doyle.
Doyle recommends that every professional should have a job action plan. Updating your resume should be the first step of the plan. “Make sure it is current, with all your latest information – employment, education, skills, and achievements. Next, create or update a profile on LinkedIn and connect with everyone you know. Join LinkedIn Groups that match your background and interests – alumni groups, business and professional groups.”
Educating yourself about the kinds of opportunities available in your field is the next phase of the plan, according to Doyle. “Start researching the job market to see what types of positions are available for candidates with your credentials. The job search engines (Dice, Monster, CareerBuilder, Indeed, and SimplyHired) are a good way to get started.”
Organization, Doyle points out, can be critical during a job hunt. “Figure out a plan for managing your job search. There are free tools, like JibberJobber, or you can use a spreadsheet or even your email service to manage and keep track of the resumes you send, interviews, and follow-up.”
As tough as the current economy appears, preparation, research and organization all can make the job search after a lay-off run a little more smoothly.
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nice post. thanks.