When I entered the workforce full time over twenty years ago, I did so believing that my career would have the same trajectory as my parents. I imagined accepting a job offer, developing skills on the job, and continuously moving into lateral roles and experiencing promotions until I would retire between the ages of 55 and 62. My parents did that very thing and I anticipated replicating their work life.
Well, my work life has not exactly turned out as planned. After my undergraduate years, I entered graduate school and shortly thereafter began my career in human and organizational development with jobs across the academic, social sector, financial services, and big tech. I have traveled, managed global teams, coached and consulted executives in executing radical transformation and talent strategies, designed workforce solutions, facilitated dozens of workshops, served as a keynote presenter, and managed performance and succession planning for every organization. My work has rewarded me greatly and I count it all as a sacred endeavor. I have adored work so very much—so much so that it became my sole focus of attention.
I was in a flow…
This deep connection with my work has been upended by unexpected restructures, agency closures, and financial crises. There were times that I was able to see the pending job role elimination announcement coming (like when the chaplain was invited to join a meeting without cause) and other times where I was so fulfilled that I did not see the sudden request to meet as a cause for alarm. The latter hit the hardest. I was instantly immobilized by feelings of shock, stuck, shame, embarrassment, and uncertainty. Yet, my own inner strength allowed me to convey my role elimination to executive clients, prepare transition plans, and counsel those remaining through their concerns about my well-being and pending layoffs that would impact their work. I was also able to have several critical business discussions with HR and my manager.
The moment that a layoff is announced, and your organizational future has been shared, do not overly emote to your leader as that erodes your ability to have a focused business discussion. You must focus on the timeline, severance amount, health insurance coverage, outplacement solutions, and unemployment letters. Secure feedback and recommendations that will support you in evaluating your strengths and have a letter that supports your next career endeavor.
Remember, your manager is not your therapist or friend. Take care of business so that you understand the package and can manage your originally negotiated contractual agreement well. Your spiritual and emotional life can be attended to after you have logged off or stepped away from the office. Handle this announcement well so that you have the constellation of resources to take care of yourself until you have identified your next role or launched your new business venture.
Here are a few additional things to do after you’ve heard the news:
- Get centered and spiritually fortified. Notice the air entering your body with each inhale and exiting with each exhalation. Exhale. The creator of air is breathing life into you and your circumstance. God has been breathing life into humanity since the beginning and has not ceased involvement in your life and all human affairs. God wants you to survive this chapter and is partnering with you to realize your thriving life!
- Remember who’s you are. You are destined to be in communion with God and it is there where you are loved, can locate your validation, and understand God’s great compassion and faithfulness. Notice God who is with you.
- Refresh your resume. Depending on your budget, you may want to get books, watch videos, or secure a resume writer.
- Journal about your work experiences. Notice the way that the announcement has affected your body. Consider the entirety of this particular professional experience. Are there people and work issues that you need to remember? Traumas unspoken that you need to recall and release? Write those down and endeavor to recognize the lessons. Accept things couldn’t have been any different. Forgive and “let go.” Delaying this healing process delays your capacity to move on.
- Pray and get clear about the way that this layoff announcement affects your relationship with God and others.
- Engage your therapeutic relationship. Schedule time with your therapist ASAP.
- Secure a certified career or life coach to work with you to develop your refreshed career vision.
- Act on your refreshed career plan.
