How To Stay Off The Unemployment List – Part 2

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You’re Soon-To-Be-Laid-off Action Plan
If you tuned into the first part of this segment on Staying Off the Unemployment List, you might have determined that your current company is walking on thin ice in this recession. Perhaps you survived one round of layoffs, only to find that another one might be looming around the corner in 2009. Is there anything you can do to protect yourself?

Yes! Thankfully, there are a number of action steps you can take to make sure you’re ahead of the game if you’re handed a pink slip. Here are some great tips to get started:

Hang on, son!
Ultimately, a company’s decision to do massive layoffs is rarely personal. So, don’t pout or slack off at your current gig – even if you think your final days are fast approaching. On the same note, realize that your decision to protect yourself isn’t a reflection of your loyalty to the company. You are allowed to protect yourself and do what you need to, to make sure you’re covered.

Update Your Resume
On your own time, you might as well revamp your resume and add your current work experience to the list. Most people wait until doomsday to get started on this. I guess resumes are like a homework assignment that they’d rather have someone else do? The good news is, if you really hate working on your resume or if you need a little help making it look its best, you can find resume writers who can help you. Just remember, your resume should only be one page long, and show work experience done within the past 10 years. You can also come up with themed resumes to highlight particular work experience that might get you a position in a specialized area (i.e., marketing, admin, etc.)

Start Networking Again
If you think you’re going to be laid off, it might be tempting to spend your evenings at home, praying that you aren’t one of the chosen victims. But, you really have to get yourself out there and network. It is the best way to get a job.

Do some research on your local college’s next alumni networking party and go there with the intention of making some new contacts. You can also check out networking parties for professionals in your industry, and that’s another great way to get your name out there.

Recruiters: Your New Best Friend
Once your resume is ready to go, start contacting recruiting agencies. Many of these firms will require that you apply online, and sometimes these applications can be quite time consuming, so get started immediately. Headhunters, or recruiters, have partnerships with hundreds of companies and they’re a great foot in the door to positions you might not ever find online or on your own.

If you start taking action now, you can go into work with a confidence and peace of mind that will carry you through any rough patches. A layoff can be a traumatic loss, but if you are prepared and have already done the legwork beforehand, you’ll be way ahead of the game.

Now go, get started today!