How to Survive Layoff at Work - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to Survive Layoff at Work - Introvert Whisperer How to Survive Layoff at Work Layoffs are indeed ugly situations. Imagine, waking up one day and going to work only to realize that the workplace has turned into a battleground. Your colleagues are overworking. It’s a tooth and nail-biting competition, and everybody wants to look good even at the cost of making someone else look bad. It might be a situation of sheer panic and nerve-racking experience. But with the right approach and smart actions, you can very well get through this. Here is a step by step guide to surviving or successfully overcome a layoff at work- Step 1 Be Well Prepared! Preparation is the key to dealing with any form of crisis.  No matter what, be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Preparation in hand means to consider all possible outcome of a situation and land up with a plan of action accordingly. Be ready with a Plan-B Update your LinkedIn profile and other professional handles Give yourself time and don’t be anxious Reach out to people and don’t feel limited Step 2 Maintain Distance From Gossipmongers One important thing people tend to ignore in such situations is getting into an unnecessary talk. Remember to stay above the fray and avoid conflicts or disorderly discourse. Stay quiet and be observant. Be observant Don’t blab or whine about the happenings Open your ears and be a good listener Maintain distance from negative talks Don’t get distracted by all the rumours and stay focussed on your plan Be confidential of any of the information provided to you Hold down the temptation to trap your boss into personal conversations Being silent during a layoff is the best way to carry yourself at the office. You never know when can your words be used against you. After all, nobody wants to get off the team without any reason. Step 3 Earn Your Value If ever you felt like putting up your best behaviour at the office, then it has to be this day! Remember your first day at the workplace, recall the feeling of enthusiasm and optimism running down your veins, it’s really not easy to put up such a temperament in the situation at hand, but it’s not impossible either! Go ahead and earn your value in front of your boss. Prove your worth Carry a happy vibe and alleviate stress among your peers Make sure the work goes smooth List your accomplishments smartly Get your work noticed Initiate work-related talks and subtly highlight your potential Acting all sweet and nice is a good idea but make sure you don’t overdo it. Try keeping a balance and bring your emotional quotient upfront. This is the perfect time to portray your maturity and the ability to deal with unpleasant situations. Step 4 Be Proactive You need to be aware and have a realistic perspective while dealing with a layoff. Take charge of things and adapt to the unusual scenario. Show that you are a proactive individual and don’t lose your personality traits over such things. Remember, you are what you do in tough situations and you’ll be noticed favourably if you know how to manage it effectively. Update your Resume Learn about newly introduced technologies Start building skills and increase your market value Keep a check on new opportunities Involve yourself into productivity Start cutting down your finances Seek health and other insurances if you haven’t already Since you are unaware of the impending doom to fall, you need to be considerate of every possible outcome. Remember, it is not your vacation time, so don’t act leisurely. Invest your time into doing something productive. Instead of brooding over to your friends, make the most of this time and take it as an opportunity for self-improvisation. Polish yourself and make the most of this time. Step 5 Use Your Network This is a golden time to make use of the network you have! You might have come across a lot of people who carry a name in the industry during your tenure. Make use of it. Build your outreach in the market Make a strategy to approach authorities Be open about your layoff Attend conferences, meetups, and expos Put yourself on the show Learn effective networking and be active in your social circle Don’t hesitate to take help from friends and family Your network will open more options for you and build a gateway to pave your path and shape your future journey. It will also make you feel better and help you in handling the stress with some peace. After all, things always get better when you have a team or people to count on! Conclusion Getting laid off at work is a tough time to go through. It is a situation which follows the survival-of-the-fittest rule and one needs to be vigilant in order to survive it. No matter how bad it gets just don’t be hopeless about it and keep your head held high. You need to believe in yourself and maintain a positive outlook. Everything happens for a reason, you never know what is likely to come. Don’t feel bad when encountering an ugly situation. After all, there’s always something bigger and better waiting for you at the end of dark times. AUTHOR BIO