Being laid off is never a welcome experience, but if you use your layoff time wisely, it could end up being beneficial towards your career. You can use this time to develop new skills and think about the kind of job that you really want.
A layoff is often a very stressful experience, and it is completely understandable to take a break immediately after losing your job. In fact, spending a few days relaxing and letting go of stress could be greatly beneficial for your mental health. However, you should avoid waiting too long to restart your job search. If you let yourself procrastinate, your layoff time could stretch on and on.
To avoid struggling financially during your layoff time, you need to budget carefully from the moment you lose your job. Put your severance pay aside to pay for essentials in case your layoff time lasts for longer than you expect. Apply for state unemployment compensation and carefully look over your household budget to see where you can cut back.
Earning some cash on the side could not only make your layoff time financially easier, but also help you find your way back into a full-time position. Look for freelance work in your industry, or take a part-time job in a field that interests you. You could gain valuable new skills and experiences that you can add to your resume.
For many people, a layoff is an opportunity to think about the direction that their career is headed. Do you want to look for another job in your current industry, or is it time for a change? Take this chance to talk to friends and acquaintances about their careers and explore the opportunities that might be open to you.
If you want to make a drastic career change, it is likely that you will need to retrain yourself. Look for local or online courses that can help you to develop the skills you need to move into your desired career, which could be programming, web design, or teaching. Community colleges offer courses in a wide range of subjects for adults who want to retain or attend college for the first time. Some job centers even offer free training in certain areas for job seekers who have been laid off.
Making the most of your layoff time means keeping a positive attitude and taking the opportunity to redirect your career. You can do whatever you want with your layoff time, whether that is going back to school, freelance work, networking or self-study. As long as you don't fall into the trap of spending too much time feeling sorry for yourself, your layoff time could be a great opportunity to advance your career.
Photo courtesy of Mister GC at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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