thecareerbeat.com Blog

What will you wear to the layoff?

I just had to post a link to this article, based on the catchy headline: “You’re Fired! But Your Outfit’s Great.”

The fascinating little piece is in the New York Times, and it explores the idea of making a fashion statement on the day you’re terminated. But who really thinks about that?!

I would love to know your thoughts, if you want to leave a comment.

Focus on the basics, not the gloom

On the eve of another unemployment report from the government, we’re seeing lots of gloomy news about the job market and rising layoffs. The situation lends itself well to depression and cocooning on the coach until the mood passes, but we must resist that temptation!

Now is the time to pay attention, as if you were steering a sailboat in choppy seas. Keep your head up so you know what’s going on in your company. Listen and read. Stay on top of the big picture in your industry.

And take steps to protect your professional and economic well-being, as this economic storm is going to hover for a while. Two great places to start: your resume, and your cash reserves.

A recent article on “7 Tips for a Better Resume” offers great, simple advice for making sure you’ve always got an effective passport into a new job, if necessary. My favorite tip: Avoid personal pronouns. There is no “I” in “resume.” It’s the one writing sample where fragment sentences are encouraged!

Losing your job unexpectedly is often a disaster, yet how many of us have disaster-preparedness kits for such a thing? A polished resume is one component, another is an emergency fund. If you are curious on how to protect yourself better, read “6 Ways to Save for an Unexpected Job Loss.”

As someone who’s lived through such a disaster, I know the two articles referenced above can help provide insurance against extended pain.

Hiding after a layoff

People who get laid off or lose a job involuntarily are more likely to shun social engagements, according to a new study.

The study, published in the September issue of the journal Social Forces, found laid-off folks were 35% less likely to be involved in their communities than their employed counterparts.

This was especially true of people in their 30s and 40s, and I can certainly relate. When I was laid off more than two years ago I felt ashamed or loserish, and I disengaged. I shared that experience two weeks ago with some journalists who are dealing with layoffs. I moderated a panel called “Life After a Layoff: Your Job Is Toast But You’re Not.” Several of them were in the same boat.

But being with people who are supportive — especially in social settings — can be just what recently laid-off people need! And this is also where networking can happen, even when you are not expecting it.

Unemployment can also provide opportunities for career growth. For more, see “Five Ways to Make Unemployment Work for You.”