The First 5 Things To Do If You Lose Your Job
I'm kicking off the Enter Brandman blog with a fire(ing). Much like the birds and the bees talk with your children, it's uncomfortable to discuss but you really need a plan BEFORE it happens. I'm talking about what to do if you lose your job.
STORY TIME - Here is a story about my friend Jake (not from State Farm). A short time ago in a galaxy really, really close (Philadelphia), he had a great job with great co-workers however, an opportunity that was too good to pass up presented itself. More responsibility, developing strategies, and the opportunity to improve an evolving brand. It appeared to be fantastic…until it wasn’t. About 3 months in, his spider sense started tingling. It really felt like the expectations of the position shifted dramatically and Jake really did not feel confident in the long-term prospects of his job security. First thing he did? Purchase an external hard drive to back up all of his work. This will be a key part of the story later. But first we need to talk about month 5.
Jake logged into his virtual one on one with his boss to find HR was also on the line. Rut-roh Scooby Doo. It was not to give him an award or kudos - it was to let him go. Apologies were given, help was unenthusiastically offered, a paltry severance was discussed and Jake was informed that the very laptop he was taking the video call from was going to be decommissioned 12 seconds after he hung up.
At that split second, about 178 emotions went through his mind: Shock, shame, confusion, anger, money, family, computers, wireless keyboards and even Stuart Smalley. He certainly didn’t feel good enough. Nor did he feel smart enough. And doggone it, clearly not everybody liked Jake at this moment.
So what happened next? Let’s dissect what Jake’s (and YOUR) top priorities should be if you lose your job:
alert those closest to you
The first thing Jake did once the pity part subsided was text his wife to let her know. Followed by his parents. It just felt that notifying those closest to him was the natural first reaction. True you will need help finding a new job but much more importantly, you will need mental health support.
2. FILE FOR Unemployment
Assuming you want to continue to pay the bills, immediately filing for unemployment is a MUST. This will not apply if you were fired for cause (stealing, assault, microwaving fish) but if the circumstances of your dismissal were not tied to alienating your company, and you take your dismissal respectfully, most companies won’t fight paying it. Laws differ by state but whether or not you received a severance will affect how soon you are able to start collecting benefits. You can find specific information for your state on this web page.
3. Sayonara Computer
If they don’t shut off your computer immediately, be sure to log out of every website and application you were logged into. If you weren’t backing up your data on an external hard drive like I was (there are plenty available on Amazon), either upload your work to a Google Drive/Dropbox or start emailing files to yourself. And hopefully you weren’t attached to that monitor, mouse and keyboard because you will be sending that back.
4. Try to KEEP YOUR emailS
Chances are they will shut your email off immediately. This is a great reason to regularly backup your email while employed. If you get your work emails on your phone, the emails will still be there but you won’t be able to send/receive anymore. This is super important because you always want to close communication loops and keep channels open. People you deal with internally and externally can be the key to helping you find your next job. Also, should there be any legal issues involved in your dismissal, you are going to probably need access to your email.
5. UPDATE YOUR resume and linkedin
Hopefully you weren’t keeping your resume exclusively on the work machine they just decommissioned (and if you were, you deserved to be fired). I’d update it immediately. Let your LinkedIn network know you are back on the job market. (Bonus points if you do so in a unique way: I created a video post.) Register with recruiting agencies and headhunters. Add your resume to Indeed. The job market has been brutal for about a year now so start applying to new jobs immediately.
a few other things…
Healthcare: If you were getting health insurance through your employer, you will need to find a new solution. The HR rep at your now former company should be able to explain that.
Social Media: Do a quick Google search of yourself. Since you are about to start job hunting again, make sure there aren’t any objectionable social posts from 2005 hanging out there.
Finances: Calculate your runway for bills and essentials. Assuming you qualify for unemployment, that is approximately $600/wk in PA. Can you get by with that?
Free time: Do not underestimate how strange it will be to wake up with no agenda. Prepare yourself mentally for being responsible for filling a blank slate.
LinkedIn Recommendations: Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations on your LinkedIn profile. They will be invaluable as you start your job hunt and honestly, a good boost for your mental health.
thoughts from the other side of the coin
If your friend or co-worker was recently let go, I do encourage you to check in on them. It truly means a lot to hear from people you spent days, weeks, hours, months, years with but it’s even more significant, and flat out disappointing, when they don’t reach out.
If you have any advice, please pop in the comments.
