Everything you need to know after being laid off
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SURVIVING AFTER A LAY OFF, SEVERANCE, BEING FIRED, OR BEING MADE REDUNDANT
SURVIVING AND THRIVING AFTER A TERMINATION OR BEING LAID OFF
Being laid off, regardless of the reasoning behind it, is always unexpected. Though we choose not to imagine it, at times when the economy hits a lengthy period of decline, companies are required to pull back on spending and the output of resources. Sometimes, you may even decide to resign on your own, requiring a resignation letter. Unfortunately, sometimes the only solution to prevent loss, is to eliminate the abundance of positions and departments that are not critical to daily procedures.
Though it is recommended to always have an updated resume prepared, even during times of a steady economic state, many of those in the workforce still require a transitional period to find a new job. To overcome the unfortunate turn of events- see how we can help you prepare to find employment during the toughest hiring periods.
For many, one of the most daunting aspects of finding your next position after being laid off is preparing a resume that will catch the eye of the key stakeholders throughout the process. However intimidating, you do not need to go through the process alone. There are many professional resume writing services that can provide insights and hands-on support, utilizing resume and industry best practices. The options of professional resume writing companies are abundant and the options of new positions you will have as a result will be, as well.
The importance of a Resume
Whether it’s the result of a layoff, a reduction in force, a termination, or simply seeking a change, finding yourself on the job hunt after being laid off can be stressful. Though the current job market is largely in the favor of job seekers, there is still much uncertainty that needs to be navigated. As a proactive or reactive measure, it is crucial that applicants have a resume that is up to par with current industry standards and resume best practices. To do so, there are a variety of resources that are readily at the disposal of candidates, including search firms, career counselors, and resume writing services. Though some may not find these services to be necessary, they are still a vital resource to take advantage of in order to ensure that you are well-prepared to make your next career step. Resume writing services, in particular, allow for the removal of guess work in crafting a resume that will stand out from the rest, ensuring that your document is optimized for passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) effectively.
Between websites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Monster, it can be difficult to sift through true best practices to determine how to best craft your resume. There may often be conflicting information regarding the format of a resume, font size, or what information to include. Working with a professional resume writing service will help you streamline this process and remove such confusion.
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What is a Resume?
Despite what you may expect, resumes have been around for hundreds of years. Though the format of a resume has been changed, its roots allegedly date back to Leonardo Da Vinci who “reported[ly] drafted the first known resume” (Nicole Cavazos, ziprecruiter.com). With LinkedIn now being considered a virtual resume of sorts, many individuals tend to care more about their digital presence than this document. Though resumes may be less emphasized in today’s age, it is still of the utmost importance to have a document prepared that will capture recruiter and hiring managers’ attention.
Even in creative fields, resumes are often required to supplement portfolios that sample creative work. Regardless of the industry a client is in or is pursuing, a well-written resume is important for standing out on the job search. Many individuals are immediately removed from a process as a result of minor errors in their resumes, some of the most notorious being grammar, spelling, and formatting inconsistencies. Working with a professional resume writing service after being laid off will ensure candidates are effectively writing and editing a resume to reduce the chance of minor errors preventing your likelihood of moving on in the process.
Resume Writing Best Practices
As previously discussed, there is often much confusion surrounding what a resume should and should not include or look like. In hiring a resume writing service, you will be sure that your document is in line with industry standards and best practices with regard to content, resume format, font type, and page number. Resume writing firms maintain a consistent pulse on all resume and recruiting trends, conducting extensive research to ensure their recommendations are in line with what will truly work. With each decade, resume writing best practices may change to align with recruiting and hiring methods and trends – and the tools used to source and select applicants. Especially for individuals that are back on the job market for the first time in decades, identifying the most up to date best practices can be a daunting task. Therefore, working with a professional resume writing company may be even more appealing to reduce the hassle and confusion of updating a resume while maintaining alignment with best practices.
Regardless of whether trends and best practices change, resume writing services will deploy strategies that have been proven effective throughout time. With more insight than the average individual, professional resume writers utilize optimal tactics and strategies to augment the success of the document, and you can rest assured yours will be effectively drafted.
How to manage being laid off
Stop and Refocus
You just got laid off. To start, take a deep breath, and back away from the situation. Though getting laid off can be a tough pill to swallow, it is critical to realize that the only option you have at the moment is to take the next step forward. Calmly approach the situation by asking if the company has plans for employees that are directly affected by the downsizing.
In some cases, companies will have options or benefits such as severance pay for laid-off employees to collect before their final departure from the company. In other cases, the layoff is probationary with full expectations to rehire employees that have been let go. It is important to collect this information before moving on to the next steps.
Collect Important Information
Before you walk out the door, it is important to gather information and a letter proving that you have been laid off from your current position. This step is important if you have plans to collect unemployment and having proof of termination speeds up the process for you to receive benefits.
If you are currently receiving healthcare or have a pension plan through your employer and are unsure about procedures going forward, be sure to ask to speak with human resources (HR) about any questions you may have.
If the company allows you to return to your desk, collect any important contacts you may have. During times of need, your current network of professional contacts can provide a considerable amount of support during your job search. By reaching out to your contacts, it provides the opportunity for them to give you the first notice when a suitable position is available. In addition to getting the first notice, your contact can accelerate the hiring process by passing your resume directly to the hiring manager.
Get Your Final Paycheck
Always get information on how you will be receiving your final paycheck. Whether it is getting the physical paycheck or getting an idea of how you will be receiving your check, it is important to have clarification on how you will be compensated. In addition to a timeline, speak with your HR department to see if there is any coverage on unused PTO/sick days or overtime hours that you are owed.
Ask For a References
Since you are not leaving the company due to the quality of your work, asking for a reference letter can help you with your plans going forward. These types of letter help to highlight your professional attributes and allows the hiring manager to get a better idea of what kind of employee you will become.
In addition to a reference letter, speak with your supervisor about using them as a reference when applying to new positions. Inquire about if you are able to use them as a professional reference and ask about how they will share your dates of employment with the company.
Develop a game plan
Consider Steps to Keep You Covered
Before considering the start of your job search journey, consider the steps you need to take to assure that you will be covered. Take a glance at your finances to assess if you need to consider filing for unemployment during the time between jobs. Take a look into unemployment benefits in your state and contact your local unemployment office to begin steps to get you covered as soon as possible.
In the case that you do- gather all relevant information, including your letter of termination, and start your process as soon as possible. During this time, the feeling of unease can create more stress than necessary. By eliminating or lessening stressors such as financial burdens can allow you to focus more on finding a new position that is aligned with your career trajectory.
Take a Look at Your Current Career Path
Before sending out your resume to multiple companies, it is important to consider taking the right steps to assure that you are still on your desired career path. Though you may be in a position where you just “need” a position, the job search and onboarding process takes time. It is important to tailor your efforts to minimalize the time you spend transitioning from a position to another that will want to stay in long term.
Take a look at your current career and where you would like to see yourself in the next decade. Once you do, consider positions or companies you would like to be in that would help you achieve your goals. Consider the trajectory of other professionals in your field or industry, look into steps they took in their career to help them achieve the position they are in now.
Start your Job Search
Find Positions You Are Interested In
Prior to sending your resume, look through available positions on job board site such as LinkedIn, Indeed, or conduct a quick Google search. Look into different industries and positions you would be interested in. Once you have located positions that pique your interest, look into the company that the position is currently available in. Take it upon yourself to do some additional research and look into current reviews on the company and how they are portrayed in the news or on their social media platforms.
Get to understand what the company stands and use platforms such as Glassdoor to get to know the company culture. You never want to be in a position where you have taken a job that goes against your political or personal views. As a job seeker, you are investing a considerable amount of time during the interview process to land a new position. Be sure you are investing time into a potential position that you can get on board with long term.
Understand the Requirements
Use the job description you find to understand what kind of candidates or requirements resume reviewers are currently looking for. Keep in mind that it is important to focus on positions you have a higher chance of landing. Discovering positions that you meet requirements for allows for your transition to become a smoother and quicker one during this time.
Consider the skills, requirements, or languages that could give you an advantage as well as skills that you may be lacking to land the position. If you have the ability to, take on courses that can allow you to become well versed in required proficiencies to help you land a new job in the current market.
If needed, sample the product or service the company provides to get a better understanding and the upper hand during the interview. Getting to know the processes at the company can allow you to highlight how you could be beneficial to the company or how you can improve company processes.
Prepare your Resume
Narrow Down Potential Positions
It is easy for job seekers to get carried away while looking to secure a new position as quickly as possible. By applying to every available position, you may not be taking the appropriate time to tailor your resume to that particular position which any experienced resume reviewer can quickly identify.
In the current competitive job market, companies now have adapted the use of applicant tracking systems (ATS) as the first initial “resume reviewer” filter out resumes that do not contain keywords that align with what the company is looking for. It is estimated that almost 75% of applicants resumes will not make it through ATS once submitted. To battle this, it is important to narrow down your jobs to ones that you are interested in and to tailor your resume to skillfully align your competences with the job description.
Consider a Format
Consider which format would be best suited for your professional background. In the case that you have had a lengthy amount of time unemployed or are looking to make a dramatic shift in industry, a functional resume may be used to increase your chances at landing an interview. Functional resumes focus mainly on the skillset that you would be able to provide instead of focusing on employment gaps or the chronological progression of your current one.
If you find that you are not approached with either of these issues, continue to use a chronological style resume to show the progression of your career. This style resume is the most common format seen by recruiters and hiring managers and requires special attention to skills, achievements, and accomplishments.
For either formats, it is important to highlight your skill set in a section built out in the beginning of your resume for the hiring manager to immediately see. By doing so, this assures that resume reviewer is quickly able to identify your skills allowing for them to indicate if you have the required skills and to also give them a reason to look more deeply into your resume instead of moving on to the next candidate.
Incorporate Achievements and Accomplishments
When creating your resume, it is important to focus on a resume that highlights how you would be able to succeed in this position. Instead of providing information about your daily tasks and responsibilities, it is important to highlight your successes to show the resume reviewer why you are the best suited candidate for the available position.
Understand that hiring managers want to hire the best available candidate and one that can make a difference in the position they fill. Highlighting daily tasks only allows the resume reviewer to see that you are capable of doing the job, instead of proving how you are successful at doing so.
Supplement Your Achievements with Quantifiable Measures
As previously stated, it is important to highlight your achievements on your resume to help the resume reviewer understand how you are the best suited candidate for the open position. A way to prove your successes is by using quantifiable measure to show the difference you have made during your time at your previous jobs. In addition to serving as proof of your successes, this allows hiring managers to understand the weight of responsibilities you have had during your time at your previous positions.
Always Conduct a Final Check
Always take time to look over your resume for human errors that your spell check may have missed. Take special notice on grammar or dates that you have provided on your resume prior to sending it out to the hiring manager. If needed, send the document to close friends and family or coworkers to help catch any mistakes you have missed.
It is important to remember that as a candidate seeking employment, you have 6 seconds to impress the resume reviewer. A spelling mistake on your resume could deter the hiring manager from reaching out, where as a mistake in employment dates could lead them to think there are employment gaps or fibs in your history. Both of these could be the determining factor between choosing you or another candidate with a similar background.
Upload Your Resume
During the time between finding a new position after you have been laid off, it is important to utilize job boards to give you the best chance at landing a job. Upload your resume to site such as Indeed, Zip Recruiter, Career Builder, and Monster to create visibility for recruiters to see an updated version of your resume and that you are available to take on a new position.
Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
One such consideration that is especially prevalent is how to optimize a resume for passing through Applicant Tracking Systems. Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATSs for short, are used by recruiters and hiring managers to source and locate applicants based on keywords that are throughout the resume. These keywords are industry specific and depend on the type of positions one is pursuing. For example, if applying for positions in marketing, key terms may include ‘brand management’, ‘content development’, or ‘trend analysis’. It is highly encouraged to carefully examine job descriptions to identify the specific keywords that will likely be used to source applicants; though the content in your resume will remain largely the same, identifying certain words that are consistently repeated throughout a job description will ensure that you are incorporating the best key terms, improving the likely that you are seen by recruiters.
It is important to consider the format of your resume in relation to these systems, as well. If you submit a document with an incompatible format (a Word document that may be adjusted due to conversion into the system, for example), it may inadvertently adjust the optimization of the document and hurt your chances of success. Resume writing services have likely considered this and will craft your resume in a manner that will mitigate these adjustments.
What does a resume writing service do?
Though it is clear that resume writing services are often helpful for individuals lacking the time or experience to craft the most effective resume possible, many may wonder what specific methods they actually deploy. In addition to identifying and incorporating key words, professional resume writing services utilize a resume format and style that has proven effective. A well-crafted resume will adequately align a demonstration of your expertise with industry best practices and standards.
To acquire the appropriate content to craft your new documents, resume writing services will utilize an initial meeting or phone call, or send a survey to acquire the needed information. The resume should ideally focus on highlights rather than being too focused in on the daily functions you were accountable for in your roles. These highlights will show the impact you had on the business you worked for – whether on profitability, efficiency, or another metric. Many professionals who are in similar industries will list the functions they were accountable for – show your impact and truly stand out through highlighting these accomplishments.