Preparing for a pink slip

With all the unemployment news, you want to be prepared. An unexpected layoff can come without notice. One day your working then next your not. Therefore, it is up to you to be prepared.

Here are a few simple things to keep in mind.


Contacts are key:

Get your coworker and supervisors contact information. Many people do not think about obtaining this information until after they are let go. Contact information can be personal email, personal cell phone or home number. This may sound simple, but when a large layoff happens finding key coworkers for a reference is difficult.

Have pertinent information about your current position:

Know your location, headquarter location, HR contacts. Why is this important? Well, if the company closes several locations, you need to have a way for a new employer to verify information. Also, try to find out which employees will be left behind.

Outside contacts:

Keep contact information on vendors, customers, other companies that you have worked with. You have information at your office but remember that you will not be there.


Keep your nose clean:

During layoff times, upper management will start to utilize other means of cutting back on labor. You need to shine. You need to be prompt. You need to do what it takes. I know you might be thinking, “Well, they aren’t going to take care of me so why should I care?” The caring reason will be different for everyone. Think about why you need the paycheck, food, house, kids. These are reasons to keep up the good work. You want to be in line for a severance, if given, and not let go for disciplinary actions. Do not give them the excuse to let you go early. If you give them the excuse to terminate you, then you might not get unemployment and jobs are not plentiful during these times.

Start looking

Start looking for positions that match your skills. Now I give you this advice for something you can do after hours. This will help you target companies that might utilize your skills. I find it easier to look will working then after you are let go.

Dennis

*** Caution on posting your resume, HR departments might be scanning for resumes of personnel of that company, and letting those people go first. If you can, post your resume confidential.