Layoffs are sweeping the U.S., from Twitter and Meta to Gap and HelloFresh. If you happen to be one of the people caught up in the cuts, breathe. Yes, breathe. Trust me, I’ve been there. I still remember the panic I felt when I was fired at 26 years old. “How will I pay my rent?” was the first thing that came to mind. I was on my own then, and I can only imagine the fear of people with loved ones depending on them.
What to Do After Being Laid Off
Five steps to take — before you start looking for a new job.
November 09, 2022
Summary.
If you’re laid off, the last thing you want to do is send your resume to dozens of companies and pray a recruiter will call you. That’s not a strategy for success. What will make you successful is taking a minimum of 24 hours to process this shocking change to your employment status. Then, do these five things before you update your resume or start looking for a job: 1) Reconfigure your mindset; 2) Write down your accomplishments; 3) Know what you want; 4) Create a job-hunting schedule; 5) Find jobs that look interesting — but don’t apply yet.
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New!
HBR Learning
Career Management Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Career Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
What's your next career move? Learn how to set yourself up for success.