How To Manage Being Downsized

fired - paid forBeing downsized is one of the most dreadful things that can happen during your professional life. Whether or not your job is currently in jeopardy, you may become a victim of downsizing at some point in your career. What do you do?

Consider the guidelines below on how to manage being downsized, should you ever find yourself suddenly out of a job.

  1. Get angry… later. It’s easy to react with hostility when you’re told that you’re being downsized, but don’t. It’s only human to be upset but acting on those feelings may do harm to a valued relationship that you may not be able to undo.
  2. Don’t take it personally. Sometimes things happen to us that have absolutely nothing to do with who we are o what we’ve done.
  3. Ask for a recommendation. Get a recommendation in writing as soon as possible from your current boss. You can even volunteer to write it yourself. If you don’t receive a recommendation in a timely manner, ask your boss to send a short email or two-line testimonial.
  4. Be a self-promoter. Now is the time to put aside the belief that it’s wrong to toot your own horn.
  5. Grief is good. Grief is a natural response to losing something. It’s a sign of strength, not weakness, to seek counseling in the wake of being downsized.
  6. Accentuate the positive. It may be possible that one of the worst things that could happen to you might turn out to be the best.

Have you recently been downsized? I can provide the tools, perspectives, exercises, and general assistance that will assist you in opening the doors to the career path you desire and deserve. Contact me to learn more today.