Career Connections: Coping with a Layoff | AIChE

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Career Connections: Coping with a Layoff

Common euphemisms include early retirement, down-sizing, and transitioning, but they all amount to a layoff. Many of us define ourselves by our work, and losing a job can be shocking and difficult to comprehend. In addition to suffering a bruised ego, we often find ourselves without a social network or daily routine, as well as financially unstable. Whether you are an entry-level engineer, mid-career manager, or C-suite executive, “losing your job changes your view of who you are in your family and in society. It permeates every aspect of your life,” says Marjorie Kavanaugh, job coach and president of Panoramic Resumes.

Actively managing your mindset can help you come to grips with your loss, says Kavanaugh. Understand that getting laid off is almost never about you. Layoffs are typically based on business decisions beyond your control, such as a merger, an acquisition, or an organizational restructuring. “Knowing it’s not personal can help you maintain a positive attitude. A layoff doesn’t erase the value you offer or the relationships you’ve built,” she adds...

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