The Ultimate Guide to Managing a Layoff

You received the dreaded news this morning that you are part of a massive layoff. Now what? How is this happening? Just last week you were told what an asset you were to the company and how your productivity levels were off the charts. Co-workers envied your numbers and said they admired your work ethic. The recruiting agency said the hiring manager was going to extend your contract because you were a great addition to the team.

Were these lies? If only it were that simple. And when they say they will bring you back as soon as they are able, do not sit around waiting for that to happen, because it may not. Don't get me wrong, it could happen that you return to that company, but you have to prepare and seek other opportunities in case you don't. I’m not being pessimistic either, it’s a reality. You cannot afford to rely on things out of your control, no matter how much the manager likes you. You must move forward as though your life depended on it because it does. This time, if you follow my suggestions, it will be different.

The Process: What You Need to Do The Secret Sauce Coping with a Perceived Career Crisis What's Next? Click here to view a video on obtaining unemployment benefits and appealing a denial.

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Unemployment is Time Sensitive

It’s been two days since you were laid off. It’s normal to question everything you did or didn’t do and think “if only”. If only you had worked harder, if only you had done this better or hadn’t complained about your co-worker, or the amount of work they gave you, if only. The if onlies will have you running circles in your head, making it impossible to think realistically, so stop it! Sure, you made a few mistakes, some you wish you could forget forever, and others you hope they never find out about, but everyone makes mistakes. We are human after all.

So what gives? What inspired this sudden change of events that has you feeling like a failure, wondering how you’re going to break the news to your family, pay rent, make the car payment and buy food? Will you lose your medical benefits? It’s highly unlikely you’ll be able to cover the ridiculously high cost of maintaining COBRA coverage. Will you qualify for unemployment? Who wants to go through that fiasco again? Certainly not me and I’m sure you don’t either. But I encourage you to apply as soon as you clock out on your last day.

NOTE: There is a one week waiting period and you don’t want to delay this lengthy and cumbersome process.

The Process: What You Need to Do

Apply online for unemployment and be honest in all your responses. Your last employer will be notified of your application and given the opportunity to dispute your claim. I can hear the gasps from here. Some companies have a policy in place to dispute all claims.

Click here to view a video on obtaining unemployment benefits.

Next, after completing your certification online, check your mail (not email) every day. You should expect your checks to come in every two weeks ”giving you the benefit of doubt” and there may also be a letter with an appointment date and time for you to speak with a UI representative. The representative will ask you questions about your layoff, termination, contract end, or leave from work. This is standard practice no matter the circumstances. You cannot miss this phone call. If you do, you will lose benefits, so check your physical mailbox every single day and your phone messages as well.

You are also required to register with CalJobs (California residents) it may be called something different in your state. This site allows you to upload your resume or create one to show yourself as available for work. Registering with CalJobs is required to receive unemployment payments. You are also required to look for work and note your job search activity on the forms provided for certification (you have the option to certify via the online portal). Again, check your mail regularly, answer your phone and respond to all calls for interviews to maintain benefits. Keep in mind, you can only receive unemployment for a maximum of 6 months. You don't want it for longer than that because truthfully, while it helps you get by, it is never enough to cover all your expenses. The maximum weekly amount in California is $450. You may receive less depending on your wages when you were working. That amount won't even cover your rent/mortgage in most California cities and unfortunately, you can't work part time or a gig job like dog walking, Instacart, or driving Lyft to make up the difference. Anything you earn over $25 will be deducted from your benefit amount.

Once your former employer has been notified, they have the right to dispute your claim as I mentioned earlier, but you also have the right to appeal their dispute. You will receive a denial letter informing you of this status and how to proceed. As stated in this letter, you now have twenty days to complete your appeal in writing. Do it. Don't be tempted to talk bad about your employer, none of this matters to EDD and may make matters worse for you. You'll most likely continue to receive checks as this process ensues, unless you fail to respond, or submit your certifications.

The next step is that your former employer can dispute your claim one more time, but you also may appeal this dispute as well, and I highly encourage you to do so. You have another 20 days to complete this second appeal, but I would caution you not to wait to the last minute. At this point, your case goes before an administrative law judge who will hear both sides and make a final determination. Please don’t fret, this is not a courtroom like we see on TV. It’s small, you and the employer and the judge in a conference room discussing the details of your employment. You will not need a lawyer.

NOTE: If English is not your first language, you are entitled to an appointed interpreter of your native language at no cost to you.

The Secret Sauce

Here’s where most people say just forget it, which is a huge mistake. It’s imperative that you see this through to the end. Your former employer is banking, literally banking on you giving up because it seems too hard or not worth the trouble, but it is worth it if you want to keep food on the table, the lights and heat on, and gas in your car to get where you need to go until you find your next job. Unemployment is never going to be enough money to pay for everything. It’s a fraction of your regular salary, but every bit helps, so do this.

Here’s the secret sauce you’ve been patiently waiting for. If your employer or employer representative does not show up for this hearing, you will most likely win the case and be awarded the benefits. It's in your best interest to appeal each time.

Coping with a Perceived Career Crisis

During this time of unemployment, it’s going to be tempting to numb out with drugs and alcohol, or food and binge watch dumb shows you would have never watched otherwise to not deal with this problem. I caution you to not go down that road. Hey, no judgment here, but self medicating and not dealing with this head on is going to make it worse. Let’s be optimistic about this and spend our new found freedom more constructively. Write that novel you've been thinking about writing, create music, paint, draw, sew, sing, dance, do whatever makes your heart happy as you continue your search for work.

The first thing you’ll want, or not want to do is tell your family and friends, and your network so they can support you during your job search. You’re going to need them to keep an eye open for new opportunities for you. The more eyes you have on this the better and the more websites you use, the better too. Don't restrict your use to just one site, no matter how popular it is. It won’t hurt to make a few recruiter friends as well. You will need to be genuine in your approach and continue to nurture this relationship for some time. Give as much as you take.

Recently, I learned that a recruiter I was working with became ill and was at home recuperating. I sent him a text message wishing him a speedy recovery and rest and told him I would reach out again the following week. He immediately replied back asking if I was open to a recruiting role with Tesla one of his colleagues was trying to fill. Do you think he would have mentioned this if I hadn't reached out to him first? I'll be sending a care package to his office as he continues to deal with residual effects of being ill. Don’t be afraid to ask for introductions to hiring managers either. Closed mouths don’t get fed!

There’s nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. Layoffs have happened to all of us at one time or another and some of us have experienced it more than once, myself included. It's not about you or your performance, it is about the company's lack of proper planning, overspending, over-hiring, and sometimes is a reflection of poor leadership.

Now it’s all about how you handle it from this point forward because everyone’s watching. Literally. Watching every move you make on social media and with that, I caution you to keep your posts to a minimum especially if you have nothing nice to say about your last employer.

The next thing you need to do is cancel all unnecessary subscriptions such as Netflix, Disney, Prime, etc. Cut back on eating out and cook more meals at home. If you do not know how to make healthy, tasty meals at home, it's time to learn. You have time now, no excuses. YouTube has great channels to choose from. Subscribe to them and get your cook on! While you're at it, subscribe to my channel as well and stay up to date on all things related to advancing your #career, navigating a #layoff, #unemployment, and building multiple streams of #income (Ecclesiastes 11:2).

Whittle down your expenses by paying more attention to the details. It’s easy to whip out a card and swipe when we have consistent income coming in, but when we create a budget and operate on a cash carry basis, it forces us to put more thought into what we truly need and only buy what we can afford within the constraints of our new budget.

What's Next?

Now it’s time to get back to work. “What are you talking about, I just lost my job!”

Having a job isn’t work, finding a job is. Dust off your #resume and add your achievements and new found skills from your most recent work. I recommend you do this before a #job loss, but if you, like many others view the resume as a necessary evil rather than an active marketing tool, then there’s probably dust from the last recession holding it together.

Update it and then have a smart friend or two review it for typos, misspellings, grammar and punctuation. No matter how well you believe you have proofread it already, you need a second pair of eyes to give it a once over.

This is not the time to include your drinking buddies. It needs to be that friend who finds errors in the menu at the diner down the street and makes a point to call the manager over to point it out. Yep, that one. The annoying one who corrects everyone’s mistakes, that's the one you need on this assignment.

If you do not have anyone in your circle to help, click here to order a resume revision with coaching. The cost is reduced for those who have experienced recent setbacks and now includes a one hour coaching session. Get on my calendar before it's too late.

Am I My Sister's Keeper?

Remember, there’s safety in numbers so if any of your friends are in the same position; recently laid off and not sure what their next move will be, the two or three of you should join forces and hold one another accountable to your searches. After you’re done crying on each other’s shoulders, of course.

Depending on how you look at it, you have either just experienced an incredible blessing or suffered a great loss, either way, you're butt hurt, and afraid for the future, and your feelings are valid so allow yourself the time and space to feel those, then move on. Don’t wallow for more than a day, a few hours is best. Then get back up, dust off your shoulders and go fearlessly into the light. You can do this. You just need a plan.

Your strategic routine should be something along the lines of getting out of bed at a decent hour. You can sleep in for a couple of days if you want, but get up no later than 9 AM. Ideally, it is in your best interest to treat your job search and career comeback like a job and set regular hours to adhere to as though you were still working. This will help you remain focused, and help you transition into your new job more easily. Think of things to be grateful for. Covering, food, water, heat, family, friends, pets. Make sure to also keep your blood flowing by taking a walk, going for a run, swimming or playing sports. Do something to keep your body moving even if only for a few minutes a day or at a time throughout the day. I don't like playing sports or working out but I can do exercises sporadically throughout my day for a few minutes at a time and that works for me. I take dance breaks with my Yorkies, I hop on a stair stepper while I wait for my morning coffee and I use handheld dumbbells for strength while sitting at my desk or watching a movie.

You may not have been prepared this time, but you will not make this mistake again, unless you're just hard-headed. The secret is to prepare in advance. By securing an emergency fund of a few thousand dollars to cover your cost of living for at least 3-6 months, if not more. In our current economy it is taking most job seekers 9 months to a year to regain suitable employment, but do not let this get you down. Some people find work much sooner than that. You will weather the storm of a job loss with much less stress if you prepare and have more than one stream of income. I talk about this on my YouTube channel so click to subscribe if you want to learn more about creating multiple streams of income from one idea, one talent or one area of expertise. Saving money may not sound like a possibility, but it is. With a little discipline and an online account with auto deposit and limited access it will become a reality and be much easier to achieve. Set it up and forget about it.

In Short

• Immediately apply for unemployment - be completely honest in your responses

• Register with CalJobs

• Check your physical mailbox for letters from EDD

• Don't miss your phone call from EDD

• If denied benefits - Within 20 days appeal the denial in writing. Watch this video!

• If denied benefits a second time - Appeal again! Watch this video!

• Continue searching for a new job. Need help, click here.

• Get support from other job seekers, friends and family, but stay away from negative people.

• Stay physically active even if only a little.

• Listen to positive affirmations every day! Click here to listen to my positive playlist. Okay, this isn't done yet, but it is almost done, so check out the channel anyway.

• Stop the negative self talk - a layoff is not your fault. The company made poor decisions leading to this result

• Prepare, prepare, prepare so if it happens again, you'll be ready for it!

For more videos on managing your career: https://www.youtube.com/@Careerspresso