If you’ve been on the receiving end of a life-altering pink slip, don’t worry. It happens more often than you might think. Now is the time to focus on how to get back on your feet and think seriously about what you are looking for from your next job. Here are a few tips to help you bounce back from a layoff.

Prepare to Leave

There are many things that you will need to wrap up prior to your last days at work. Make sure you do everything you can to leave on good terms. Remember that it’s not just about any one job that you keep or lose. Your career is defined by all the experiences, the skills and connections you make. So do what you can to make sure all projects are complete or handed off appropriately. Arrange for your severance pay and receipt of last paycheck. Reach out to co-workers and supervisors to thank them for their time and effort in working with you. Send out your personal contact information along with a request for contacts to stay in touch. Then get ready for the next stage of your professional life.

Take Some Time to Think

Losing your job is an emotional process. Whether you loved it or hated it, it’s good to take a few days to mentally get back on track. Don’t let the loss color your attitude about working in the industry or even for the company. Layoffs happen, it’s just part of doing business. Rather than allowing yourself to become jaded or concerned that it was something you did, do what you need to do to mourn and move on. Keep a positive attitude about yourself, your qualifications and your future.

Start Working Your Network

LinkedIn and your professional network are your next go-to resource when you are diving back into the talent pool. Job searching is almost like a full-time job. Ease into it and avoid getting overwhelmed by calling on your resources to point you in the right direction. Look to your contacts to provide leads for new job openings that are of interest to you, then make sure you follow through and thank your connections for their effort. Friends, family, co-workers, and former employers can all help put in a good word for you to make stepping into your next job that much easier.

Organize and Strategize

The internet has changed the hiring process in recent years to the point where a job search is nothing like what it was even five years ago. Now, there is simply so much information available that the difficulty is in finding the right opportunities in all the noise and making sure your applications get the attention they deserve. You should start by creating a plan to search for a job and be active in your job hunt. From there, keep track of your applications and your progress in an organized manner.

Now is the perfect opportunity to really define your path ahead. Rather than focusing on a job that is no longer in your control, look ahead to the future and make the most of this opportunity.

Work with a Top Staffing Agency in Middle Tennessee

Contact All-Star Personnel today to get started on finding your next job by partnering with a top staffing agency in Middle Tennessee.