What to Do After a Layoff?

Step 1 Do Not Panic! The first thing to do is take a deep breath and realize you will be okay. Say a prayer. Now let’s get to work.

 Step 2 Talk to any contacts or friends that you may have. If you do not have any friends yet and no contacts either, then you can ask questions about employment opportunities in online forums, chat rooms and other resources that focus around employment.

 Step 3 Find Unemployment Office – You can file today at this office and usually it will take 2 weeks to get approved. Fill out the answers correctly.

Step 4 Temporary Agency – Locate the phone number to these places and see if you can apply online. Apply with them quickly so you can get on the waiting list before everyone else.

Step 5 Employment Insurance – You will need to know the guidelines for assistance. You may be able to qualify for cash and food assistance based upon your income. This is not the time to look at this as a *Hand Out*. When you were working, you paid taxes out of your paycheck, at the store, on your mortgage, getting gas, and everything else.

Step 6 Recruiting Centres – They will have a lot of information on jobs and workshops. If there is a church near you who has a group for laid off workers join it quickly. Visit recruiting offices such as Manpower, BlueSky Personnel Solutions, Iron Ring Staffing Solutions, and a variety of others within the city. Recruiting offices will be able to assess your skills and place you in a job that will match your skills.

Step 7 There are many employers who will hire you for a job if you need money within the next two weeks (You should still have at least one paycheck coming). If not, ask if you can be a delivery driver. You will wake up at the crack of dawn but you will have some income.

Step 8 Go to Job Fairs. Sometimes the wealth of information is available there. Here you can meet up with potential employers and even if there is no positive answer for you, you will know what kinds of abilities are they looking for. You can then upgrade your qualifications accordingly.

Step 9 Online job sites – There are many job sites. Look for the ones in your field and those whom have multi-career databases(e.g. Monster, Career Builders, and Yahoo Jobs). If you need a job quickly, apply for at least 3-5 jobs per day.

How to Get References after Layoff:

Step 1 Usually employers want a reference from your past manager or supervisor. Contact them to ask if they will write a reference for you. If they decline or have also been laid off ask them whom you can contact for a letter of employment ending due to layoff. Many employers will accept this as a reference.

Step 2 You will need to obtain their name, preferred business title, address, work and home phone number, and e-mail address. When you receive a written reference, scan in the letter so you can upload it quickly when applying for jobs.

Step 3 haracter references are also accepted and can come from your place of volunteer work, a mentor, colleague, or professional friend. You should seek advice on websites to refer them to if they have not written a reference letter.

Step 4 Verify your references have good things to say about your work style and environment. They should be positive concerning your method of leading and directing projects.

Step 5 This is another plug for volunteering. Many times your past colleagues do not know your individual management styles. Volunteering to lead projects allows others to see your commitment to tasks and responsibilities. Do not think that volunteering cannot take you up to the right place.

With files from www.ehow.com.