by Donna Hamlin

Created on: September 27, 2008

The Dreaded Pink Slip: Why Me?

It would be nice to trust that if you worked hard and did a good job, you could count on a career and a pay check. The world isn't that reliable, however, so we need to be flexible and resilient about the direction our work takes us.

The first time I got laid off from a job, I was devastated. Punishing myself with all the things I must have done wrong to get me on the hit list, I moaned "Why me?"

The second time in my career I got hit, I asked "Why not me?" It wasn't a personal thing; others were laid off as well. Wallowing the first time hadn't helped and it wasn't likely to help me this time. It was time to move on.

The third time was a charm. Seeing layoff in lights, I was ready! Here are some tips I've learned along the way to help rebound.

1. When the company says it needs to let you go, get cracking! Organize what you need, thank who helps you out the door and be gracious. Cut your ties professionally but quickly. Turn over what others will need and take home what is yours. A clean, quick break will free you up to do what is important: taking care of you.

2. Do not go home and lay in the fetal position, sucking your thumb. It won't help you to try and understand what might have been. What's done is done. It's your turn to define a new path. It is ok to walk on the beach and scheme about what would be the next ideal and exciting thing to do. Dreaming can inspire you to try what you might not otherwise.

3. Organize your financial situation so you can hunker down while you begin your search for a new opportunity. Evaluate your savings and what you can do without to make your money stretch.

4. Let your friends know you are looking for projects and part-time work as an interim. This is more than to make ends meet. Working on projects while you look keeps you mentally fit and engaged. Your interview style will be fresher if you mention current work you are doing rather than talking about when you worked. Even if you help a colleague for free, you will be a better interview candidate than if you are simply unemployed.

5. Say yes to every interview invitation. The job may not sound like the best fit, but you will always learn something each time you visit. What you learn is likely to come in handy later. Ask good questions and you will pick up ideas that can make you generally the wiser. You can often make new friends you never otherwise would know.

6. Make a date for lunch at least twice a week. Working on a job search can get lonely. Treat yourself to companionship a couple times a week to stay cheerful. Too much time alone can make you self-absorbed and - worse yet - dull.

7. Experiment. Try projects in areas outside your normal line of work. It will test your personal growth and keep you on your toes. Learning will make you more creative in whatever field you work.

I have interviewed nearly 300 professionals about their careers and have learned something curious. When I ask how they got to where they are in their career, 95% of them say they didn't plan it that way. Surprises, odd turns of events, like lay-offs, took them in new directions. It's a lesson worth note. Stay open. The next interesting thing can be just around the corner!

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