What do you do if you lose your job?
The recession is on. The pink slips are in sight. Every evening before leaving work, the heart says a prayer, Thank you God today was not the day. Every night, the heart says a prayer, Oh Lord, let not tomorrow be the day. Day by day, we hang on and the tension is palpable.
One day the axe falls. Sorry mate (only if you are aussie) even though we value your services, the company cannot continue to keep you on the payrolls. In other words, here is the door. Thank you, bye bye. If you are lucky, you get a termination/severance pay immediately or only with the final settlement which might take a long time to come.
So what do you do in this case?
1. Snap out of the depression ASAP. It can only harm you and make you feel worse than you actually are. Take things in your stride and start planning.
1. Update your profile on the job boards immediately. Do not sound desperate but no harm in being eager. No need to headline — pls pls pls I am looking for a job (Yes, I have received such a mail which started with three pleases) It only makes the reader feel sad and turns her off. That’s a big no-no.
2. If you think you are good at whatever you do, reach out to your former bosses. Hello, Sir! Remember me? Yes. I am the same one. Exactly. I am looking for a change Sir. Chances are he will ask you why? Do not bitch about your old company under any circumstances. Rather just say, you got laid off, hard luck but no issues. You are all ready to move on.
There is every likelihood of the boss knowing where the jobs are or if not, atleast can recommend where they can be. After all he was your boss and may know more than you.
3. Keep updating your profile on networking websites. LinkedIn and others can help you target specific companies you may want to join.
4. Upgrade your skills. This can be done for free most of the time online (if you are short of cash). This will not only look good on your resume but will also keep you occupied when you are sitting brooding at home.
4. Free lance: Start doing freelance jobs. They may not exactly pay much but they pay and you can avoid a gap in your learnings and earnings. Recruiters, for instance, can hire on an incentive based structure for a company which may not pay them a salary but pretty handsome incentives. Due to the downturn, companies have become more open to the idea of hiring feelancers.
Well written , Sharmeen. When can we expect some more ?
Nice article, demand of the time
Yeah, actually Global Services Media is really doing a great job by putting so much efforts, going through extensive data research and studies and sharing the facts. Cyber Media, the volunteers. Keep it up sir.
Hi there,
I am a perfect example of this article. I got laid off. Anybody know of any job search in the customer service field of call centers and outsourcing? for Management position or as a director. I am willing to relocate if the chance is acceptable. Thanks
ABout a third of the the book “The Black Book of Outsourcing” by Brown & Wilson directly and more thoroughly addresses this topic. I recommend readers of this article go to their book via Amazon.com or BN.com for the incredible resources for recently unemployed and those looking for work in the outsourcing industry too. Good luck!