The social contract between employer and employee that virtually guaranteed long-term employment forty years ago no longer exists.
Today, most of us are “at will” employees, meaning that employers can lay us off at any time, sometimes with little or no notice. Although layoffs tend to be more prevalent during times of economic downturn, they may also occur as a result of reorganizations, mergers, or changes in management.
As the nonprofit sector undergoes this current period of instability—spurred by cuts to funding, staff shortages, and reduced giving—being prepared for a sudden job search can help you weather the emotional storm of a surprise layoff.
Prepare your offense
Here are some suggested strategies for taking control of your career, no matter how content you are in your current role or at your current organization:
Keep your resume updated
You should always be ready to list of your recent career accomplishments. Try to make it a part of your routine to update your list on monthly basis, recording the impact you had by launching a certain project or praise from your manager and colleagues.
An additional benefit of tracking your accomplishments at work is that they will be top of mind during a performance review or interview. Even if your manager keeps notes on your work, they won’t be as complete as what you can compile yourself.
Keep your network fresh
Networking is not about how many LinkedIn connections or Facebook followers you may have; it’s about the relationships you’ve built with people over time. Don't wait until you are laid off to start paying attention to and nurturing your professional network. Instead, offer value in an ongoing way to the people who inspire you, who appreciate you, and those that need a little encouragement.
To start, make it a goal to connect with two people every week—this could be accomplished by sending a "what I've been up to" email to former bosses or co-workers, or messaging someone at an organization you admire with a "hey, let's learn about each other's work over coffee this week." Once you get past the awkwardness of actually reaching out, you'll be pleasantly surprised how many people are happy to hear from you!
Invest in yourself
Keeping your skills up to date is one of the most powerful ways to maintain your marketability, and it doesn't have to cost a lot of money. While we always recommend asking your organization to support professional development costs, there are always some free or low-cost resources out there to help you expand your skills and highlight them in a future job interview.
Going to professional conferences or attending face-to-face trainings are also great ways to make new industry connections and expand your network. Start asking people in your field, or do a classic Google search to find out what's available to you.
After a layoff
Of course, even when we're prepared for a layoff to occur, it's always a shock and disappointment when it does. These suggestions are designed to help you regain your balance and move forward as quickly as possible.
Take stock of your finances
Schedule a meeting with your financial planner as soon as possible. If you don’t have a financial planner, websites such as www.LearnVest.com offer low-cost access to financial planning advice.
Understanding how long you can meet your financial obligations without a regular income will give you a realistic sense of how much time you have to explore your options.
Pro Tip: Even if you receive a severance, you may be eligible to collect unemployment and don’t have to wait until your payout is exhausted.
Line up your references
The optimal time to ask managers and colleagues to be a reference is as soon as you know that your position is being eliminated remember.
Future employers will want to speak with your references, and you only want to ask people who will support you enthusiastically. Make sure you have a list of their most current phone number and personal email address. When someone agrees to be a reference, let them know that you will brief them on the details of the position, talking points, and information on who will be contacting them once you become a finalist for the job.
Create a personal board of directors
Having the support of a small trusted team can be invaluable during the job search. To decide who you should ask depends on your goals for your next career step. We recommend asking yourself, "Where am I headed professionally, and what skills do I need to get there?"
If you’re planning to change functional roles—from fundraising to HR, for example—you may want to seek out a mentor with experience that relates specifically to the role you’re hoping to land in. For a few specific mentorship resources, check out some of these posts on Career Advice.
Take care of yourself
Even under the best of circumstances, losing your job is stressful. Whatever form of exercise you participated in when you were working, keep it up! And if exercise hasn’t been part of your routine, now is a good time to start. Consider investing in your mental health, as well, through meditation or free resources that allow you to take a step back, realign yourself, and move forward.
While layoffs are never fun, there is an opportunity for you to use this time as a way to find out what truly moves you in your career, and in life. Maybe you'll discover a hobby that connects you with people in your neighborhood, or perhaps you'll finally launch that blog you've always talked about. In addition to your job search, don't forget to take space for yourself to rediscover your goals.
This post was contributed by a guest author.