It seems like it is never expected until it happens. You may have been in your job for 20+ years with positive evaluations, but, ultimately job security is a myth. You have no control over those decisions, and they can happen when you least expect it.
As always, downsizing does not come without a myriad of emotions. One of those being disappointment. In the moment, it is difficult to take a step back to look at the situation logically, but doing so can positively benefit your severance package and the future of your career.
Use These Tips When Faced with the Disappointment of Downsizing:
Leave Professionally
Even though your emotions are high, it is absolutely essential that you leave your job professionally to protect the future of your career. Not doing so will likely result in severe consequences. Using logic and reason can help you negotiate an excellent severance package that will provide you with time to discover what your next venture will be.
Consider the Upside
Take stock of the positives of being downsized. As a result of your termination, you have the power to choose what is next. Being downsized is not the end of your career; it is merely the next chapter. You can take some probably much needed time off to assess your goals for your future, and that can lead you to something better in the long run.
It is Not Personal
If you are terminated from a job in which you have invested years of your career, it feels very personal, and your emotions are at their peak. To keep a level head, remind yourself that these decisions are often made with corporate vision and longevity in mind. In those cases, it is not about you, personally, but rather the direction of the organization.
Reflect and Prepare
Make this a learning experience. What did you love about your job? What did you dislike? What would you do differently to be more effective in your next position? What value do you add to a team? Is this an opportunity to make that career change you have been considering? Use your time of reflection to prepare for your job search. Evaluate and update your personal brand, fine-tune your professional social media profiles, and network with others in your field (or in the industry you wish to be in). Your next opportunity awaits.
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