9 Worst Things You Could Do if You Were Recently Laid Off

Losing your job is devastating. As you consider how to get help paying your mortgage and whether you can make your grocery budget last, it’s important to keep a cool head. The last thing you want to do is put yourself in a worse financial situation than the one you’ve unexpectedly found yourself in.

But in the shell shock of a layoff, it can be hard to know exactly what to do — and what not to do — as you work to get your career back on track. Don’t worry: We’re here to help you navigate the first few days, weeks, and even months after losing your job, starting with this list of nine devastating mistakes to avoid.

1. Burn bridges

Layoffs are emotional. It’s easy to lean into hurt feelings and bitterness. You could react by blocking your former manager and co-workers on LinkedIn, or you could leave a blistering Glassdoor review blasting your former company — but do your best to resist.

You won’t do yourself any favors by burning bridges at your former company, especially if you’re hoping for a reference or letter of recommendation from anyone you used to work with.

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2. Forget to file for unemployment benefits immediately

The earlier you file for unemployment benefits, the faster you’ll be able to access cash that will help you stay afloat while you’re temporarily without an income.

Hopefully, your application goes smoothly, but all sorts of hangups (from technical difficulties to misfiled documents on your former employers’ part) can slow the process. The faster you apply, the sooner you can resolve any issues that could arise with your benefits.

3. Take weeks off to reset

Resting and recharging after a stressful situation is a good idea. We don’t recommend leaping immediately from your layoff into frantically applying for jobs without giving yourself a bit of a break.

However, don’t let a few days off spiral into a few weeks off. Taking some time for yourself is certainly reasonable — but maintain your momentum and start submitting applications within a day or two.

4. Waste time feeling sorry for yourself

It’s fair to feel sad, hurt, and upset about your job loss, but wallowing in the unfairness of the situation won’t get you back on your feet any faster. It could help to remember that plenty of people are in your same boat, so consider contacting your area’s unemployment support programs and reaching out to friends who have gone through something similar.

You’ll feel less alone, and you could get some good resources and advice that will help you find regular work again quickly.

5. Keep quiet

You might feel embarrassed or ashamed of losing your job, which can lead you to keep the news to yourself for as long as possible. However, you don’t have anything to be ashamed of, and closing yourself off will just make you feel more hopeless and alone. Let your network know you’re looking for a new job.

6. Fail to update your resume with your most recent skills

Updating a resume can be exhausting, but don’t start sending yours out before brushing it up first. Include your most recent job and ensure the resume accurately reflects the skills you learned during your tenure.

You don’t need to mention being laid off on your resume, but you should be honest about the dates of your employment.

7. Forget to consider technological advances when writing a resume

You can’t just send off a resume and assume it will be read by a human. Instead, chances are high that your resume will be scanned by each company’s applicant tracking software (ATS) system, which looks for keywords to weed out unqualified candidates.

You can find ATS-friendly resume templates on Google Docs and Microsoft Word. We recommend downloading one and using it to ensure your resume gets through the automated software system. Otherwise, your well-written resume probably won’t make it to the hiring manager’s desk.

8. Skip cover letters

Not every job requires a cover letter, but if the job you’re applying for gives you the option to attach one, you should do so. You can use a similar template to apply for different jobs, but make sure to personalize your letter to each job posting.

Writing a cover letter can be time-consuming, but it pays off by showing the hiring manager you care enough about the job to invest time and energy into your application.

9. Give up after being rejected

If you’ve just been laid off, your morale is already low. Spending hours applying for a job only to get rejected makes you feel even worse — but try to keep your chin up. Remember that you’re just one of many qualified candidates and the rejection likely isn’t about you.

Take a few moments to calm down, then get back to applying. The right job will come along for you soon enough if you’re persistent.

Bottom line

Getting laid off is a major roadblock, but try not to lose hope. We’re confident you’ll land on your feet — and you’ll increase your chances of a positive outcome if you stay away from the missteps we listed above.

Stay positive, apply to anything that comes your way, and keep a cool head. You’ll be on your way to a better job and less financial stress before you know it.

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