Laid Off? Avoid Some Common Mistakes

As much as we would wish otherwise, it is possible to be laid off from your job. This is true no matter what the current economic climate. Yes, during both good and bad times it is possible to lose one's job due to downsizing or other factors. However, the situation is often not as dire as some assume. Yes, the situation is most definitely a serious one but it is not one that cannot be handled or addressed. While some may panic at such a scenario, there is really no reason to do this. Instead, it is best to avoid the common mistakes and pitfalls people fall into when they have been laid off. Here are those five along with the reasons why to avoid them:

Do not wait for your old employer to call you back to work. Many people will assume that when the problem spell is over, their boss will call them to return to the office. In many instances, this is actually the case. However, it is impossible to put a clear timeframe on when this will occur so it is best to avoid sitting idly by hoping to be re-hired. Instead, become proactive and seek new means of employment.

Do not feel too comfortable with collecting an unemployment check. You will have expenses that need to be met and an unemployment check may be inadequate for handling the bills. If the check is only 40% of what you previously earned per week, it simply is not going to cover your expenses. As such, it is best to look for a job that can help you better meet your weekly household budget since this would be a much more viable plan.



Being overly picky on the jobs you select can prove to be self-defeating. Remember, when you accept employment while you are laid off, the job you pick does not have to be anything permanent. It can simply be a means of earning income and staying active while looking for the type of job you want. Long gaps on a resume are never a good thing. That is why accepting any type of job is better than nothing when you have been laid off.

Avoid assuming that you can't land a particular job because it may be outside of your professional field. Let the potential employer turn you down rather than turning yourself down. This is just good common sense. And, who knows, you may end up landing a great job you previously did not think you had a chance with.

Never become discouraged if your job seeking venture turns out to be less than promising…at first. Yes, it can be difficult to land a job sometimes and when the economic outlook is weaker than anticipated the ability to find employment becomes significantly difficult. However, it is possible to succeed if you work at it hard enough. But, if you decide to throw in the towel too soon, you certainly will not see any positive results. That much is a guarantee.