SITUATION: What's the most important thing to do after you've been laid off?

Find someone who's opinion you trust and share with them your considerations on why you were laid off.

Did the company fail? What do I need to do to minimize the chances of joining another company that might fail? Did I contribute to the company failure? What could I have done differently?

Did I not meet the companies expectations? Was I a round peg in a square hole? Was I out of my depth? Did I fail to manage the politics/relationships? Did the job turn out to be different from the one that I was hired to do?

When you have honestly answered the questions you can then think about your next career steps.

Rev up your network so that as many people as possible will start helping you find a job.

Thanks!

Mike

Just laid off and looking for the most important thing you can do? For sure, being laid off is a blow and your internal compass is likely going to spin. Take time for yourself, alone and recalibrate your professional compass. Write "Your Professional Definition of Success" not a set of goals. From my coaching experience, this has been the single most powerful exercise for those just laid off or miserable in the job they have now.
pages 90-97; The 85% Solution - How Personal Accountability Guarantees Success or
email me and I will send you the exercise in a word document.

Being laid off is a confusing and stressful time, and sometimes, well-meaning friends don’t know what to say or how to help. I think taking action every day after being laid off will help prevent you from over-dwelling on what happened and going down a depressing path.

There are 5 categories of things to do after a layoff. This is the short version of this list. To see the long version, see my article called Laid off? Now What - 5 Things to Do. http://bemycareercoach.com/733/career-advice/job-searching-tips/laid-off-now-...
1. Immediate-practical-to-dos - apply for unemployment, review changes to HR benefits etc...
2. Motivate yourself - stay motivated. many people are in this situation. don't let it get you down on yourself. Everything happen for a reason. Reconnect with friends and family for support.
3. Determine your path - you now have an open canvas again for your career. Take time to reflect. Do you want to retrain and go back to school or pursue a passion in a different career that you never dared to do before or even take some time off from career and travel.
4. Start Job search - assuming you want to find another job right away, then update your resume, linked in profile, and start networking - talk to everyone about job opportunities. The best jobs are the ones not posted yet online.
5. Enjoy yourself - take a break. You have time now, so time box your job search efforts. This way you don't have to fret 24/7. Get out of the house and meet up with old friends. Don't punish yourself for being laid off. Enjoy some free time.

Hope that helps. I am always in your corner.
Lei