Ask a Boomer: I just lost my job. Now what?

“I worked for a small start-up where the founders decided to cut back,” Sheila R. recently told the Boomer. “Unfortunately I was one of the cutbacks. While they did provide separation pay and have agreed to be a reference, I didn’t see this coming at all and feel totally unprepared. What should I be doing?”

Laid off, let go, “rif-ed” (slang for reduction in force). It all amounts to the same thing – You’ve lost your job – usually through no fault of your own – now what? Here are five tips to help you recover quickly:

(1) Don’t panic.

While not exactly comforting, it is important to recognize you are not alone. No longer is there a stigma associated with job loss – you are in very good company, it turns out. In 2014, a Rutgers University study cited more than 20 percent of the American workforce – nearly 30 million — had lost a job in the previous five years. Begin to make a plan starting with assessing what resources are available to you. Your employer may provide outplacement support – take advantage of this if they do. Linked-in also has a wealth of advice columns and referrals as do many job sites like Indeed and Monster.

You are likely eligible for unemployment insurance benefits and should absolutely file for these. Again there should be no stigma in claiming what the state has set up for this exact situation. Determine your eligibility and benefits at the NC Division of Employment Security.

(2) Treat looking for a job like a job.

This is going to be work so treat it as such. No sleeping in or days off – set aside at least 6-8 hours every day where you are going to work on your search. Keep regular hours, get dressed and put yourself in the work mode. Initial steps of updating your resume and online profiles are no brainers. Developing letters of introduction, working your network, researching potential employers and informational interviews all take concerted efforts, require solid record keeping (trust me on this – keep good files for follow up calls/emails) and a positive attitude.

(3) Be flexible.

Consider part-time, temp, contract or freelance work while you sort out where you fit in the market place. There are many stories of people who go temp to perm, build their own businesses after being laid off (moi!) or finding entirely new opportunities in areas they would have never otherwise considered. Be that person.

(4) Be pragmatic and prepared for down days.

Yes looking for a new job can suck, especially with financial pressures. Wrap your head around this going in and be prepared for the inevitable down days. Just don’t let them turn into down weeks or down months. Nothing turns off potential employers like the smell of desperation.

(5) Note: It’s all about THEM.

During my more than 25 years in corporate human resources it never ceased to amaze me how many people don’t recognize employers are looking to fill THEIR needs, on THEIR timeframe, using THEIR criteria. Be certain in your search you understand what potential employers need and tailor your communication – emails, resumes and interviews — towards what you can do for them. It is NOT about you. Emphasize past accomplishments and skills that align closely with what they are looking for and you’ll have a better shot at making a match.

Have a question about life, love, money, career or anything else for the Boomer? Send it to: charlottefive@charlottefive.com with the subject line “Ask a Boomer.”

Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

This story was originally published July 18, 2016 at 11:00 PM with the headline "Ask a Boomer: I just lost my job. Now what?."