By Courtney Rosenfeld
You’ve packed up your belongings, said goodbye to your coworkers, and handed in your badge. You’ve been laid-off — now what? Losing your job is tough, but you can bounce back and make money while you search for your next permanent role. Here’s some advice for navigating your career and life after you’ve been laid off from your job.
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Brush Up Your Resume
The first thing to do if you get laid off is update your resume to reflect your most recent position and current skills. You can hire a professional resume writer, or you can use tools, such as Jobscan, that use AI technology to automatically optimize your resume based on a specific job description.
Once your resume is ready to go, start applying to new roles on job marketplaces, such as Indeed or Monster. Don’t be afraid to go after temporary or part-time positions, as these can sometimes turn into full-time roles in the future.
Leverage Your Skills
Did you ever come up with a great tweet and post it to your company’s Twitter account? If so, this means you have professional social media experience that you can leverage to find your next job. Likewise, you can say you have travel planning experience if you ever helped organize a group work trip. Think of all the duties and responsibilities you’ve had in previous roles, and find a way to use them to your advantage in your job search.
In addition to your professional skills, consider monetizing any hobbies you have. For example, you could conduct painting or singing lessons. Or, perhaps starting a side hustle doing gadget repairs appeals to you.
Earn an Online Degree
One way to effectively overcome being laid off is to earn a degree online. By taking classes in your own time and at your own pace, an online program allows you to focus on your studies without having to worry about competing obligations. Additionally, it opens up opportunities for networking and job placement assistance that are not always available with traditional programs. Look for a degree that offers certifications so you can prove to employers that you have the skills to succeed. For example, if you work in technology, earning a compTIA A+ certification can showcase your skills.
Open Your Own Business
While getting laid off is difficult, it can be the push you need to take the leap into entrepreneurship. Before you dive in, do some research into business structures, and decide which one is right for you. LLCs are popular choices for entrepreneurs because of the legal protections and tax advantages they offer.
Start a Social Media Side Hustle
Most businesses these days have a social media presence, and running a successful brand social media account takes a good deal of work and know-how. Provided you have the talent, you have the opportunity to gain an income by filling this need for the local businesses in your area. Be sure to post high-quality photos to businesses’ social media accounts.
Get Back in the Game
The old saying is true: When one door closes, another one opens. Fortunately, you can take plenty of steps to ensure you have the best chance of finding a new and better role after you’ve been laid off. Make sure your resume is up-to-date, use your current skills to your advantage while you learn new ones, and take a risk by starting your own company.
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