Top 3 Tips After You’ve Been Laid Off

In a recent Wall Street Journal article, it talks about how to explain a layoff to a recruiter. It got me thinking about what one should do after a layoff. Here are my top three tips:

• Don’t be bitter about what happened. I can’t imagine how tough it is to be laid off. Do take time to recoup and rejuvenate. But once you’re back on the job hunt, try to put that behind you. When you interview, don’t be bitter. Don’t speak poorly of your old employer or your old boss. Besides, you have limited time in the interview. Use that valuable time to promote you, your work, and your experience.
• Be confident. If you lose your job, your self-esteem might go with it. Don’t sell yourself short. Think about all the wonderful things you can offer, from your skills to your experience. You are valuable, and companies will pay top dollar for your services.
• Relax and enjoy the interview. With bills to pay and mouths to feed, it’s hard not to crave a little cash flow. But don’t be desperate. The job will come! Desperate job seekers tend to be nervous during an interview. Just relax. Imagine the interviewer is a friendly new acquaintance. The more relaxed you are, the better you will perform.