What to Do After a Job Loss

I’ll never forget the day: January 14. That’s when life shifted and the foundation beneath my feet shuddered.

It was a Monday. A slow Monday—until my inbox chimed. It was from the VP, announcing a mandatory meeting in the staff room.

My heart felt like it plummeted to my toes. This is it, I thought. There had been rumors circulating about budget cuts and such. I had heard whispering and murmuring around the office, but I figured it was just people complaining about one thing or another and didn’t want to be heard. Friday night, just before leaving the office for the weekend, I discovered what the whispering was all about: layoffs.

I was indifferent. Not because I didn’t care, but because rumors always turn into exaggerated fish tales. The more people talk, the bigger and more ridiculous the story becomes. It’s like a game of “Telephone.” What could be five people being laid off turns into 100 people. Every time the story is told, the fish gets bigger and so do the number of people being terminated.

Everyone got an email. Everyone. But each person was assigned to a different room at the same time. It was like a dramatic episode of American Idol. Shuffling people into rooms like that and eliminating entire sections of the building.

In the room I was assigned, chairs were lined up in rows. Several people were already there, sitting in silence. Others filed in after me. There were 25 in all. No one spoke. Like an omen, there was a box of tissues on the otherwise empty table.

The VP sauntered in and cleared his throat. “Many of you know … ” he said.  “This wasn’t an easy
decision … ” he continued. I don’t remember the exact words and how they all intertwined. What I do remember is him saying, “Everyone in this room is being let go.”

Dozens of other people in three separate rooms were being told the same thing.

Everyone was ordered to find a box in the hallway, pack their belongings, and leave immediately. I walked out into the parking lot that morning with a single box, drove home, and laid on the couch in the fetal position–and sobbed.

What should you do when you lose a job? How do you recover? Where do you go from there? I’ve obviously been on the receiving end of the empty, “we’re sorry, but … ” conversation and have a few tidbits of advice I’d like to share with you:

1. Mourn. It’s okay to cry. You lost something you loved, and you should spend some time getting all your pent-up emotions out of your system. So cry. The messy kind of cry. Set aside a day for indulging in your favorite Netflix reruns and a box of chocolates. A layoff is like a bad break up. So take a day or two off (you’ve been wanting some vacation time anyway, right?) and treat yourself. But limit the tears to a couple days.
2. Don’t burn bridges. Mourning propels us through a unique cycle: sadness, anger, rage, sadness. After the tears, everything that happened comes flooding back and, quite frankly, you get peeved. I can’t believe they didn’t value me! I can’t believe they did this to me! Those no-good, lousy …
   Before you know it, you’ve imagined the joy you’d feel tee-peeing the office or egging the decision-maker’s car. Before you go slashing tires, take a chill pill. Most layoffs are due to funding cuts, financial loss, and factors outside your control. You were probably a number on a sheet (sorry). They eliminated you by dollar sign or position—not name. Once the place gets their act together, they may come calling. But not if you’ve made it your mission to get revenge. I say this from experience: a year-and-a-half later, I was hired back for a freelance position because I didn’t burn bridges. Oh, and if you’re really tempted to seek revenge and need something more compelling to keep you from going through with it, here’s some Biblical advice for you: Romans 12:17 says, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.” Yeah … Just don’t do it.
3. Update your resume. It’s a pain, but it’s necessary. Hire a professional resume writer or browse the web for the latest trends in resume writing, so your credentials land at the top of the pile in the Human Resources department.
4. Start job hunting. If you were part of a major layoff and part of a reputable company, it may hit the news. If anything, others have caught wind of it, which means job hunters are on the lookout. Don’t wait to put your resume out there. Post it on websites like careerbuilder.com, linkedin.com, and others.
5. Keep an open mind. There’s nothing more humbling than a layoff. But think of it this way: you have fresh slate. God saw this coming. He wasn’t surprised by the bomb that went off in the conference room. And He knows where your next job is. And it may not be what you think. One of my co-workers—and unfortunate layoff victim—got a job that allowed her to work from home so she could stay home with her kids. She later said that the layoff turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to her. If you’ve considered a career change or a move, this is the time to start entertaining those ideas. Go before the throne in prayer and seek wisdom. (James 1:5)

In case you were wondering, yes, I got a job after the layoff. One that was closer to my parents and allowed me and my husband to move closer to the seacoast. And today, I’m living my dream as a writer.

I’ll admit, though, I cried for more than the suggested two days. But hey, it’s all part of the learning experience, right?

Have you been laid off before? Recently? What advice would you give to who are in the same boat?