It may sound oxymoronic, but being laid off can be a blessing. How do I know this? Because my layoff a few years ago was a huge life blessing.
I was working at financial services company. There, I’d survived a horrid, toxic boss. In fact, she was the worst boss of my career. I was disrespected and overlooked for years. Add to that I was bored, wasn’t growing my career, and had decided the mission and culture of the company didn’t align with my values. That’s why when I was laid off, it was a blessing. I didn’t want to be there anymore.
I share my story because I get the emotional rollercoaster of being laid off. Every day, it seems, there is news of another company, usually a tech company, laying off more and more people. Depending on what you read, there are a number of reasons or contributing factors for the increasing numbers of layoffs. Some of the reasons include the economy, inflation, higher interest rates, overhiring and COVID-19 pandemic job correction.
Regardless, being laid off stuns and hurts. Like I said, I get it. There is always a silver lining. It takes time to get to that point. So, here are some pointers from my experience that I think others can also benefit from.
- First, try not to take it personally. Layoffs are just a business decision. That doesn’t mean it’s easy to understand when it happens to you.
- I also recommend taking time to both let the situation sink in and just breathe. Take each day as it comes.
- For me, it was an opportunity to think about what I really wanted to do. I’d never defined myself by my work or the company I worked for. I work to live. I’ve never lived to work. So, when I was laid off, it didn’t affect how I defined or valued myself as a person.
- I really tried to stay positive, keep my energy up, and practice holding a strong mindset every day.
- My resume is always up-to-date. That’s a best practice. I’m always ready to apply for the right next role.
- When I was ready, I started applying for jobs. I was open to full-time and contract roles. My first role after my layoff was a contract role, and I loved the flexibility. Since then, I’ve only chosen contract roles.
Now, these are my tips based on my experience. I’d offer the same advice to any open to new opportunities. And remember: Being laid off I can really be a blessing.
