Most people don’t like getting laid off.
You’re committed to your job, contribute to the team in hopes of climbing the corporate ladder. You follow the rules to help the company succeed. You enjoy what you do and the people you work with every day.
Then you get laid off.
Often, getting laid off has little to do with you and more to do with the company’s changing strategy or cash flow.
But just because your employer lays you off, doesn’t mean you have to sit on the sidelines twiddling your thumbs.
Here are seven tips on how to save yourself after being sidelined from the workplace.
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Take care of the basics before getting laid off
Before you decide what to do with your time after you get laid off, you must first understand the basics related to your job ending.
First, find out what benefits you are entitled to by your employer. Know your employee rights and your company’s policy on what to do once your job ends.
Next, create a spreadsheet that outlines your finances — last paycheck, unused vacation and sick days, severance pay, and savings. If you don’t have one already, create a spreadsheet outlining your expenses. Knowing how much money you have versus how much money you need to spend is essential.
Finally, contact your state unemployment office to find out if you are eligible for unemployment benefits.
Start with the end in mind
Before you get laid off, start working on your vision for the future.
To create your plan, think about the person you want to be in three to five years. For example, if you want a job similar to the one you left, write that as your goal. If you’re looking to start a new career or your own business, list that as your goal.
Also, to understand the steps you need to take to reach your goal, I recommend you work your way backward from the target by asking a series of questions.
For example, let’s say you want to become a freelance writer. The types of questions you could ask are:
- What skills do I need to learn to improve my writing?
- What content have I written that can go into my portfolio?
- Where will I display my writing samples to secure new clients?
Then, what are the steps that go into becoming a freelance writer?
While you might feel strange asking questions but not having all the answers, don’t worry. You can do research, interview others who are doing the work you want to do, and attend free classes and webinars.
In the end, clear answers will help you plan your vision for the future.
Offer freelance services
The writer and director, Tyler Perry, is known for making movies and televisions shows and giving generously to the world.
However, Perry is also known for great quotes like, “Own your stuff, own your business, own your way.” To motivate others, Perry talks about building your table instead of always asking for a seat at someone else’s table.
After getting laid off, consider offering freelance services. Find companies in your industry that may need help. If you’re creative, consider offering writing, drawing, or painting for companies or clients.
While freelance work can be sporadic, at least you will be working. You can work with companies like Fiverr, or you can work on your own. Before reaching out to potential clients, determine your rates for the type of service you will offer.
“Own your stuff, own your business, own your way.” Tyler Perry
Write a book
If you have always wanted to write a nonfiction book, why not start while sitting on the sidelines?
Writing a nonfiction book is a great way to spend your time researching and writing about something that excites you. It also gives you a chance to express yourself or help people solve problems.
If you decide to write a book, you can search for an agent to publish your book through the traditional route, or you can self-publish your book through IngramSpark for sale on Amazon, Apple, and Kobo. Also, you can write a shorter ebook that you sell on your website.
Trust me, I used being laid off as a motivator to write my book.
Teach a course online
Have you ever considered how your knowledge and skills can help solve a problem for someone else? Creating an online course allows you to share your experience.
The beauty of creating online courses is that you can teach just about anything.
I’ve seen online courses on how to take care of goats, chickens, and dogs. How to bake bread, write captions, and learn to paint with watercolors.
Offer one-on-one coaching
Similar to offering online courses, one-on-one coaching allows you to help others grow.
Start by identifying your coaching niche by answering four questions:
- What do you know? Consider the skills you learned from your previous jobs.
- What do you love? Think about your passion or the things you work on during your spare time.
- What do people need? If friends and family members are always asking you to help them with a particular topic, start there.
- What will be the outcome of your coaching program? Decide whether you are trying to teach something or guide someone from point A to point B.
Donate your time
Giving away your time to a worthy cause is one of the best things you can do.
I have three job layoffs under my belt. During my first layoff, I obsessed about finding a new job.
Filling out applications, sending out resumes, and making endless trips to Kinko’s was exhausting.
During my second and third layoffs, I volunteered a portion of my time at my church, a local food bank, and helping people who needed free advice about communications or public relations.
Getting laid off is not the end of the world
Getting laid off is never great. But it’s not the end of the world, and it’s not the end of you.
Whether you decide to look for a new job or start your own business, your time on the sidelines doesn’t have to be boring or unproductive. Keep moving.
You can save yourself after being laid off by mapping out your vision and focusing on things that cause you to jump out of bed every day.
