By Shikha Agarwal*
The "pink slip" situation more often than not leaves an individual with lots of questions and emotions of anger, dejection, anxiety, panic. Then comes the biggest task of all—
finding your next job. A challenge that becomes harder because you may be questioning your own abilities and competence post the layoff. However, it's important to take charge and do whatever you might have done had you voluntarily been looking for a change of job. Additionally, try the following:
1) Take a break
Yes, what you have at hand is unexpected and unasked for free time, but it is free time nevertheless. Get over the blues and gather your spirits back by taking this opportunity to spend quality time with yourself and your loved ones.
2) Reframe the layoff in your mind
Before you start taking a layoff as a judgment of your performance, keep in mind that most layoffs are simply due to the rendering of the role or skill redundant within the organisation.
3) Understanding your skill bucket and its market
It's important to understand what is the demand and future in the wider industry of the current skills that you possess. Doing some research on posted jobs and the experience level in demand can be a good way to understand this.
With no notice period to serve, you are available for an immediate joining, which is an attractive proposition for employers with vacant positions.
Secondly read articles on what's trending in your industry. There might be new jobs getting created in an alternate industry. If you see yourself sitting with skills that are currently losing steam, it's time to upgrade.
4) Upgrade your skills
While being in the job we tend to get limited to what is demanded of us. Our learning, within the limited time, gets restricted to what is relevant to the current role. But the industry keeps moving on and reinventing itself. New roles get created. So take this opportunity to upgrade and advance your skills to the next level or broaden them. The best of learning today is available to you with the click of a button with platforms like Coursera, Udemy, Udacity ,etc.
5) Your resume
Recruiters do not go through each and every resume they get. Their inboxes are flooded with applications, 90% of which are irrelevant. Keywords are the first filter, so ensure that you are including all of your skills in the resume and all the specifics of your role/projects. Make a clear summary of your skills and experience on the first page of your resume; the initial short-listing process may not even go to the second page.
6) Be aware of the silver lining
With no notice period to serve, you are available for an immediate joining, which is an attractive proposition for employers with vacant positions.
7) Tap into your personal/professional networks
Employee referrals tend to get an edge in selection process.
8) Go beyond job boards
More than 70% of companies are now moving to social platforms to recruit and advertise. Other than job portals, also look for vacancies posted on LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and various others depending on your industry. Reach out to recruiters directly or to business leaders/ managers who could be managing teams with your work profile.
9) Keep your patience
When "pink slips" are the talk of the town, hiring activities slow down in general. Be prepared for the situation where there might be fewer openings and a longer hiring process. Set realistic timelines to get the job.
Shikha Agarwal is currently leading the talent acquisition for Delphi Automotive Systems. She holds a management degree from SCMHRD Pune and has more than seven years of experience in human resources in the IT Industry.