Closed-door meetings. Whispering by the water cooler. Industry rumors. Sweaty palms, and that cold feeling in the pit of your stomach … layoffs may be coming.
Don’t be surprised when layoffs happen – be prepared!
Constant Maintenance
Don’t wait until you’ve been let go to update your resume and LinkedIn profile; this should be something you do as a matter of course. Set a reminder to review your resume and profile at least once a quarter. If you achieve a worthwhile goal at work, make sure you add it to both while it’s fresh in your mind – or when you hit the bricks, you may forget it ever happened.
Clean House
No one likes to be seen walking out of the office with a copier paper box filled with personal effects. Yes, by all means – make your workspace friendly and homey with some personal items (a picture, a coffee mug, a candy jar, a clever toy as a talking piece) – but keep it manageable. Ask yourself – how long would it take me to pack up all my stuff? How much of this could I carry myself?
Keep a tote bag or small duffel in your office space – that way, if you are one for whom the bell tolls, you can grab your stuff, throw it in the bag, and walk out with your head held reasonably high without the world knowing you just got the sack.
Don’t limit your housekeeping to your stuff; make it a habit to back up your important files, contacts, presentations and proposals on a regular basis. Send copies of critical documents to your home email address. Use your head – don’t take information that would be considered proprietary, or anything that might be considered a violation of company policy or non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). Be careful not to do this on the company’s time and dime – use your lunch hour, come in early or stay late for this type of work.
Keep Your Ear to the Tracks
A good rule of thumb – not just for when you’re thinking the worst. If you pay careful attention to industry news, you’re a more informed employee. You may be inspired with an idea that will keep you on the employed side of the office door, instead of on the outs.
If You’re Hearing Rumors of Layoffs…
Form a Game Plan
- Talk to trusted friends – let them know you’re concerned about coming layoffs, and that you’re interested in hearing about opportunities.
- Start looking on the job boards for positions you’d like.
- Update your resume and LinkedIn profile using keywords from these positions to make you more visible to recruiters and hiring managers in searches.
- Check in with your references – make sure you have the correct contact information for each of them, and that they’re still willing to vouch for you. If you’ve a trusted friend or co-worker at your current position that would be willing, able (and allowed) to be your reference, ask if you can add them to the list.
Don’t Panic
Even if industry wags are ringing the fire bell; even if your work wife/husband is already looking; even if the layoffs have already begun – DON’T PANIC. Calmly review your options. Make a plan and stick to it. Don’t do anything foolish like quit without having a new job – many layoffs include severance packages. Don’t act crazy or frantic – you will need references wherever you go, and higher-ups will remember your level-headedness in a crisis.
Hopefully, your worries are unfounded, and the end of this article finds you still employed. But it never hurts to be prepared!
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