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| 21. |
SAY GOOD-BYE TO YOUR COWORKERS
PROPERLY. Take time to speak with each coworker individually to
say good-bye, either in person or by phone. Thank each person for
his or her assistance in the past. Do not go into detail about your
termination – simply indicate that you were laid off. Be professional,
show some class, do not bad mouth your employer – how you exit
will be remembered by your colleagues. Besides, they may be in a position
to refer you to new employment opportunities. |
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| 22. |
CONSIDER A CAREER CHANGE. Being laid off from a job may be a signal that you’re in the
wrong career. If you don’t like what you’re doing, or can’t
do it well, it may be because you’ve chosen the wrong occupation.
Read a few books on changing careers or work with a career counselor
to determine if a different career would be more enjoyable and rewarding.
Perhaps you should consider self-employment? |
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| 23. |
BUDGET YOUR TIME. Plan your
time as you would a business project. Determine what goals you want
to achieve each day, week or month that you’re unemployed. Reserve
time for job hunting, socializing, relaxing and resting, upgrading
your skills, and other important factors. Don’t just let each
day happen as you may soon find yourself wandering aimlessly through
this difficult time. |
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| 24. |
MAKE FINDING A NEW JOB YOUR PRIORITY. Although you may have the urge to take a break, the longer you are
out of work the more difficult it will be to explain your hiatus to
potential employers. Find a job and, if need be, then negotiate for
some time off before reporting to work in your new position. |
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| 25. |
GET YOUR HEAD ON STRAIGHT. Adopt
a positive attitude. Don’t walk around angry or with a chip on
your shoulder. Understand that you can’t change the past, so
don’t let it change you for the worst. After all, no employer
will want to hire you if you’ve become a bitter, sour individual. |
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| 26. |
WRITE A THANK YOU LETTER TO YOUR
EX-BOSS. In spite of the fact that your employer just laid you
off, you should send him or her a thank you letter for the time spent
at the company. In most cases you were probably laid off for reasons
other than your job performance. Therefore, in the future, your employer
may have a need for you. If you leave on a positive note, there’s
a chance that your employer may call you regarding future employment.
In your letter, point out your accomplishments, the opportunities
your position gave you, and be sincere in your appreciation. |
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| 27. |
CONSULT YOUR UNION. If you
are a member of a union, consult your union representative immediately
to learn what assistance the union can provide. |
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| 28. |
CONSIDER CONSULTING OR TEMPING. Whether you need immediate money or not, consider taking on some
consulting or temporary work assignments. If you need immediate income,
this is a fast way to earn it. In addition, the fact that you’re
back working immediately will boost your self-esteem and show potential
employers that you are skilled and valuable. Don’t exclude the
possibility of consulting for the same company that just laid you
off. If the reason you were laid off was failing revenue by the company,
they may be interested in hiring you as a consultant (which usually
costs less than hiring you as an employee). After all, you already
know the work and the needs of the company’s client base! |
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| 29. |
SEEK TO SECURE THE FOLLOWING. Remember, you have the legal
right, and moral obligation to yourself and your family, to negotiate
the best severance package possible. Here’s a list of things
that you may want to seek when negotiating with your ex-employer.
Meet with your boss or Human Resource Director to discuss these
issues. Contact employees who have been fired in the recent past
to inquire as to what items they were able to secure. It is suggested
that you first meet with your lawyer before attempting to negotiate
any of these items. Make a wish list based upon what you need and
want.
Paid severance. Try to get four weeks for each year of service,
but be happy with three and, if necessary, settle for two.
Stock options, especially unvested options.
Cash for unused sick leave or vacation time.
Annual bonus (if you’ve received them in the past) and profit
sharing monies.
Outstanding sales commissions and/or bonuses.
Extended health insurance coverage (under COBRA law).
Outplacement assistance.
Letter of recommendation.
Rolling over your 401K.
Convert company paid life insurance to your own insurance policy.
Continued use of company vehicle (for a period of time).
Purchase of your business computer.
Copyright and patent rights or appropriate compensation for creation
of written works or inventions that you created during your period
of employment.
First right of rehire (in the case of downsizing) if new employment
opportunities become available. |
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| 30. |
KEEP A PAPER TRAIL. Keep a
record of all documents that relate to your job and your performance;
including a copy of your employment contract, job notification letter,
job description, performance appraisals, awards, citations, memos
indicating you’ve done a good job on a particular project, etc.
This documentation can be critical to what you can negotiate in terms
of a severance package. |
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