2. You’ve just been laid off or fired. Now what?
No matter how you got to this point, you’re here. You are between jobs and needing to find
the right employment soon. But the marketplace has changed since the last time you did this.
• What are the new things that you MUST do to be taken seriously?
• How many pages is my resume supposed to be now?
• Are my skills outdated or are they still beneficial to today’s employers?
• What should I do first?
While this presentation can’t assure you that you will get your dream job quickly, it can give
you a roadmap to making sure you haven’t forgotten anything.
3. Week One: Step One
You’ve just been laid off or fired. Now what?
Vent. Get mad. Cry. Do whatever it is that you need to do to get through this initial reality.
The important thing is that you get this emotion out of your system now before you begin to
interview for your next job. You will severely hurt yourself by going into an interview and
letting out all of that emotion in front of your interviewer.
4. Week One: Step Two
You’ve just been laid off or fired. Now what?
Assess your career:
• Am I doing what makes me happy?
• Do I see myself doing this long term?
• What do I need to do to better myself?
• What skills do I need to add?
• What industries could use someone with my skills?
• What are others making that do the same as me?
5. Week One: Step Three
You’ve just been laid off or fired. Now what?
Add to your personal team:
Consider adding an Accountability Partner to your job search methodology.
• Tell this person your goals.
• Set goals with and report progress to this person.
• Allow this person to review and make suggestions to your resume.
• Share the experience with this person – the good and the bad.
This person should not be your spouse or significant other. It needs to be someone close
enough to you that they truly care about your success, but can also be honest with you when
you are slacking off.
6. Week One: Step Four
You’ve just been laid off or fired. Now what?
File for unemployment.
Because it takes some time to start receiving your unemployment benefits, do this early on.
If you have specific questions, call 1-877-872-5627.
7. Week One: Step Five
You’ve just been laid off or fired. Now what?
Create a budget.
Because your income has now been reduced, plan for it. The idea here is to try to reduce as
much stress as possible. What are those “luxuries” that you can do without? What are
creative ways of cutting back on necessities?
8. Week One: Step Six
You’ve just been laid off or fired. Now what?
Order business cards.
You never know when you may run into someone who could have a positive impact on your
career. Since we typically don’t carry a resume with us at all times, business cards are a great
option. Be sure to include:
• Name
• Phone Number
• Email Address
• Targeted job titles
• URL to professional profile (Linked In)
There are resources out there where you can get free business cards.
9. Week One: Step Seven
You’ve just been laid off or fired. Now what?
Write a resume.
Invest some time in this. Lean on your Accountability Partner for advice. Look at other
resumes online and see some of the current trends. You might even consider a resume
writing service or professional recruiter for help.
10. Week One: Step Eight
You’ve just been laid off or fired. Now what?
Post your resume online.
Start gaining exposure to your resume as soon as possible. Be sure to refresh your resume
weekly to ensure you are found in search results.
11. Week One: Step Nine
You’ve just been laid off or fired. Now what?
Networking.
There are lots of online options for you:
• Linked In
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Groups / Associations / Networks
Face to face networking is important as well. Go out. Meet new people. Practice pitching
yourself to others and speaking about your accomplishments, what you are looking for, and
goals.
12. Week One: Step Ten
You’ve just been laid off or fired. Now what?
Take care of yourself.
Although this can be a stressful time, try to take care of yourself along the way. Get plenty of
rest. Eat well. Maintain a routine. Take a deep breath from time to time.
13. Week Two
Congratulations! You are well on your way to finding that next job. But you can’t stop now.
It’s time to get tactical now. The steps you will find in the following slides will also be the
steps you will take beyond the Week Two.
Be sure to keep your Accountability Partner involved in your activities. Evaluate along the
way to see what has been beneficial and what might need to be adjusted.
14. Week Two: Step One
Browse job openings.
There are thousands of job boards on the web. While you think it might be a good idea to go
to all of them and “leave no stone unturned,” keep in mind that all of them will require a
login that you’ll either have to write down or remember.
To get the most return for your time, spend most of your time on job boards that “scrape” or
“scrub.” That means the boards that go grab job postings off of other boards and post them
on their own. Examples would be SimplyHired.com or Indeed.com.
15. Week Two: Step Two
Create job alerts or job agents.
As you go to various job boards, most will have the capability of creating a stored set of job
search criteria that will notify you by email whenever a new job is published that meets your
pre-determined criteria. Take advantage of these, but make sure you set your keywords and
criteria closely to what you are looking for. You do not want to waste your time by telling you
of jobs that are not even remotely close to what you need.
16. Week Two: Step Three
Apply for jobs.
Did you think we would ever get here? It’s time to start applying to those job postings that
seem to be a good fit for you. Most will allow you to upload a resume online.
I suggest that you customize your resume to each opening that you apply to – use the same
keywords, emphasize the areas that seem to be most important to the employer in their job
description, etc. It’s also a good idea to work your network and see if you, or someone you
know, knows someone who works at that company who can put in a good word for you.
Track the jobs that you have applied to by keeping a spreadsheet or a running list. Why?
When a recruiter or a hiring manager contacts you, you’ll want to quickly be able to recall
which position this is. It might also be required for your unemployment benefits.
17. Week Two: Step Four
Write a cover letter.
This is sometimes the difference between being considered and being eliminated. Write a
cover letter that:
• Is one page long
• Is concise
• That tells your story
• That directly tells how you are qualified for this specific job
18. Week Two: Step Five
Continue to identify networking opportunities.
This is a very valuable tool. Go to networking events or mixers. Even if you don’t connect
with a potential hiring manager or a good lead on a job, you will be able to practice
presenting yourself and your personal “pitch.”
19. Week Two: Step Six
Connect with a professional.
Recruiters and/or headhunters can be a very useful tool. They know who is hiring and they
know the hiring manager. Most will not charge you a fee, but will get paid by the hiring
company. It never hurts to ask that question though to make sure.
20. Week Two: Step Seven
Research before an interview.
This isn’t just a suggestion, it’s a requirement. Know about the company, and the hiring
manager if possible, before walking into an interview. Company websites, Linked in profiles,
etc. are good places to start. Know what you can bring to their company that will alleviate
pain and/or make them more profitable.
21. Week Two: Step Eight
Dress for success.
Plan ahead. This step may not guarantee you getting an offer, but it sure can cause a problem
in getting one. There are many online resources that can give you specific tips (for males and
females). Here are just a few:
• Conservative attire is best – this is not your time to make a statement.
• Polish those shoes
• Make sure everything is pressed
• Don’t forget your hair
• Piercings and tattoos should be removed/covered
• Watch out for cologne or perfume
• Put your watch in your pocket when you enter the room so you won’t be tempted to look
22. Week Two: Step Nine
Ace the interview.
Again, plan ahead. Role play the questions that you think you will be asked and how you will
respond. Make eye contact. Smile. Give a firm handshake. Sit up in your chair. This is your
moment to sell yourself. Don’t be modest or shy now.
Many tips can be found online. Use them.
23. Week Two: Step Ten
Say thank you.
This is another big step that some people see as optional that shouldn’t be. Write a personal
thank you note for each person that interviewed you. These should be written and sent
within 24 hours of the interview.
24. Interviews are complete. Now what?
You have done well in an interview and you receive an offer. Is it okay to negotiate? Yes, in
fact, it’s almost expected.
• Salary
• Bonuses
• Vacation Time / Personal Days
• Vehicles / Cell Phones / Laptops
• Relocation Assistance
It’s been said that if you don’t get it coming in the door, you won’t get it. Have a very clear
understanding about these things BEFORE you accept the offer.
