If you’ve been reading the news or your LinkedIn feed, you’ve likely seen the layoffs happening across the tech industry. Maybe you yourself have been impacted. Whether this is your first layoff or you’ve been a part of one before, the experience can be quite disheartening.
You go from having a full work day to hours on hours of open time. You had a group of colleagues you worked with daily and suddenly you’re no longer interacting with those folks on a regular basis. There are moments when your new found freedom feels amazing - and others when it’s absolutely brutal.
So how do you support yourself through it?
Below are some ways in which I’ve been taking care of myself throughout my own layoff journey. Hope you find them helpful too!
Let yourself feel the feels
Post-layoff, it’s normal to go through a wide range of emotions. Anger, frustration, fear, anxiety - even relief in some cases. Whatever is coming up for you is completely normal and understandable given the circumstances.
The only way to move through the wave of emotions is to actually let yourself feel it. They will pass. So let yourself feel it all so you can move through it and get focused on finding your next opportunity.
Create a schedule for yourself
Going from a packed work schedule to a completely open calendar can be extremely jarring. It’s easy to fall into a routine of just staring at the wall or your computer screen or scrolling through social media.
One way to help yourself stay focused and get into a thoughtful routine is to create a schedule for yourself. Silver lining: YOU get to dictate that schedule, not your company.
Any of my team members will tell you that I’m a big fan of calendar blocking. I live by it at work and always encourage my team to do the same. Building a schedule helps you stay organized and makes you more effective with your time.
Build in time blocks for job searching, exercise, getting outside, spending time with your family, lunch with friends - whatever you want. Blocking it out will help make sure you’re doing what you set out to do in the timeframe you set out to do it.
Want to take it to the next level? Try color coding your calendar blocks by type of activity so at a quick glance you know what you’re planning to focus on. One color for job applications, one color for networking calls/interviews, one color for exercise, etc.
Figure out a system that works for you.
DON’T job search 8 hours a day
I know you really want to find a new job ASAP. I’m 100% with you. AND I also know that you can’t just job search for 8 straight hours a day. First of all, your body is not designed to sit in front of a computer that long. Second of all, it’ll be extremely discouraging. Third, you’ll actually be less efficient with your time.
Don’t let your fear around finding a new job result in sitting at a computer for too many hours a day.
As you’re building out your schedule, remember to build in time for breaks, movement, and FUN! Carve out the time you need each day to feel good about making progress on your job search and then step away.
You are allowed to have fun amidst all of this, I promise.
Find your support group
Who can you reach out to when you need a pick-me-up or need to vent?
Maybe it’s your best friend or a former colleague. Maybe it’s a Slack group with a bunch of folks affected by the same layoff as you.
Whoever those people are, reach out to them when you need them. Ask for help when you need it.
You don’t have to go through this alone.
Network, Network, Network
In my experience, cold applying online to 50+ jobs isn’t the most effective way to get a job. I know it can feel like you’re taking action - which you are! - but that alone isn’t your best approach. The most effective job search will include networking as well.
I know “networking” can feel icky or uncomfortable to folks, but it doesn’t have to be!
Start with folks you feel most comfortable reaching out to (ex. a former boss you had a great relationship with or a friend who works in the same industry as you). Share that you’ve been laid off and tell them a bit about what you’re looking for. Ask if they have 20 minutes to chat in more depth and see if they know anyone you should connect with/companies you should explore throughout your search.
You never know where those conversations might lead! I’ve been connected to people and opportunities that I never would have known about had I not been networking.
So take a deep breath and rip the proverbial band aid off by reaching out to 1 person today. And then another tomorrow - and then maybe 3 more the next day. Keep going and see where it takes you.
P.S. Remember to pass it on when the time comes where you’re in a position to help someone else.
Be gentle with yourself
Just as you would with a friend, lead with empathy towards yourself. This is hard and frustrating and scary - and you are human. Some days you’ll feel like you have momentum, others you’ll just want to sit on the couch and watch TV. All of that is normal and okay.
Job searching is a process and not necessarily a straight line. It’s okay to have good days and bad days. Don’t beat yourself up too much. You’re doing the best you can.
As always, I’m here to support however I can. I believe in you. You’ve got this!
Be well,
Carolyn
Photo by Elisa Ventur on Unsplash