What do you think of when you hear the term lay off? Most people think of a situation that is less than desirable. Loss of income, loss of security, and sometimes loss of identity are primary things that enter the mind of a person who has just heard the dreaded message of “you no longer will have a job here”.
How can you consider a lay off to be a good thing? Believe it or not, there is good that can come out this seemingly scary situation. First of all, it causes, rather forces, a person to stop and think. Too often, we live life on auto pilot, doing the same things over and over again without taking the time to pause and just think about our life. We don’t look to see where we are headed and don’t pause to ponder about our future. We get stuck in a rut and the sad part is, sometimes we don’t even realize that we are stuck.
When I was laid off a job, I was scared at first but then I realized that this was the very thing I needed to get me back on track to reach my career goals. I had been content doing a job that was comfortable for me but was no longer a challenge. Being laid off was the wake-up call that I needed. I took action by applying for positions that would be a challenge for me and in line with the future that I had planned. To make a long story short, I ended up in a position that gave me the experience I needed to move forward in my career.
Perhaps the best thing that can come from being laid off is landing a better job than you had previously. Judy Madden, a laid off employee from Micron, was interviewed by the Idaho Statesman newspaper recently. She said she is now working out of her home remotely for a nonprofit company making more money than she made at Micron. In my situation, I also landed a job that paid more than my previous job and was supported by a wonderful boss.
Are you guaranteed to receive a better paying job after a lay off? The answer is no; however, if the experience causes you to reflect on your situation, make new goals, or gets you back on track for the goals you already had, it is a blessing in disguise.
Stacy Harshman brings her experience as a recruiter for a Fortune 500 corporation to her work as a life and career coach. In addition to helping people discover their passions, she also provides clients with insight into the mind of a recruiter, unlocking the secrets of what employers look for in potential employees. Stacy offers individual and group coaching in person and by phone to those seeking positive change in their professional and personal lives.
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In my coaching practice, I have had expereinced with wonder and awe the repeated ‘good things’ that happen for those who have been layed off and chose to find their focus. You are so right about the forced focus. Often it is more than just auto-pilot…individuals fall asleep at the wheel of their careers. Small changes over time in their workplace, small changes over time in their life, and suddenly they’re a boiled frog. Asking themselves ‘how could this have happened to me?’. Often, being layed off is the wakeup call needed to truly recongize that you do have control over your life and how you approach your work and your career.
Chris
http://www.firedupcareers.com