7 Things To Do Immediately If You Were Laid Off During A Pandemic

The past months were difficult for all of us due to the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic has caused many damages in every aspect of our lives especially our work life and the business field.

Due to the recent events, there were many employees who were laid off and lost their only source of income and since the pandemic has affected the business field, many companies stopped hiring, so employees could not find a replacement.

Even though life is almost back, there are some people who can’t find jobs until now, so if you are one of them, here’s what you can do.

1- Know The difference between Laid off and Fired

Being laid off is the company’s choice due to some issues it is facing while getting fired happened as a result of an employee’s actions. Getting fired usually happens because of poor performance or unproductivity.

So, if you were laid off, it’s not your fault, this doesn’t mean you’re bad at your job. So, don’t let it affect your mental health or make you doubt yourself.

2- Reduce Expanses

This is the time where you have to reduce your expenses, focus on getting the essentials and anything else can be bought some other time. Also, always have spare money for these kinds of cases.

3- Use Your Connection and Your Social Media

You can use your social media platforms to look for job vacancies. You can either post on your own personal profile that you are looking for a job or you can search for Facebook groups that post about vacancies and you can post that you’re available to work and start listing your skills.

Also, you can use your connections to find another job opportunity, start asking around if they know a company that is hiring.

4- Update Your Resume and Portfolio

If you haven’t done that, then it’s time! Use your free time to update your resume with your previous experience and work on it to make it look more professional.

Your portfolio will also need adjustments; put all the work you’ve done in your company so employers can see your progress.

Both things are the main keys to getting interviews.

5- Always Check The Hiring Websites

You will find a number of websites that are created to post job vacancies; create a profile, list your skills, upload your resume, and start applying. You will find many vacancies and some websites even send you an email if there are available ones that fit you.

You can also look for freelance or part-time opportunities until you find a full-time job.

6- Improve Your Skills and Gain More

If you have been at home for a while then it’s time to improve your skills and even add some more. Being unemployed can affect your skills, so use this time to improve them by practicing. Also, you can see what skills you need to learn that it will give you an extra bonus when you’re applying for your next job.

7- Work on Your Interview Skills

Being in a job for a long time can make you forget about how to go through an interview and it is ok, it’s normal. This is the perfect time to remember everything about it.

Do some research about the most asked questions and prepare your answers; put in mind that you can be asked about your work or certain projects, so be ready to provide them with all the information.

8- Not Working Doesn’t Mean You Should Stop Working

Keep doing what you used to do for work but for your own benefit. For example, if your job related to writing, designing, or anything that can be done at home, then you can work on projects on your own and upload them to your portfolio.

You have to keep your mind working so you don’t forget how things are done and on the bright side, your portfolio will have many projects that will show your true skills and talents.

This is the right time to start searching and applying since companies are now hiring and always remember, you will always find the right job.