Laid Off? Leave Gracefully, Not in a Blaze of Glory

It seems as if no industry is immune to layoffs.  There doesn’t appear to be any rhyme or reason to it. Lay offs are hitting high-tech, law firms, manufacturers, restaurants, and the travel industry.  Unfortunately for those of us that still have jobs, it doesn’t show any signs of abating. 

So what if it happens to you?  How will you handle yourself?  Will you go out metaphorically “guns blazing” or will you leave gracefully with your pride intact? 

I’ve seen both scenarios play out, and it continues to reaffirm my core belief that:

Event + Response = Outcome

You cannot control the event.  You can only control your response, which will determine the outcome.  Your response to a layoff is the only thing you can control, so alter the outcome to your advantage and don’t dig the ditch deeper than it already is.

Career Builder writes on leaving gracefully after a layoff and provides the following tips on ”how you leave.”

If you’ve been laid off from your job, you may be tempted to vent your frustrations before walking out the door. But keep in mind that your actions can have a deep impact on your career prospects.

For example, you may cross paths with colleagues or managers again, or potential employers may reach out to these individuals during reference checks. Because of this, it’s in your best interest to take the high road.

Career Builder goes on to give advice, the central most important one being:

Don’t burn bridges: Being told you’re going to lose your job can be devastating, but try to remain professional. If you’ve always thought your boss was unqualified for his position, now is not the time to say so. Being diplomatic in every interaction you have with your manager and colleagues before you exit is smart, since these individuals will likely be contacts for future opportunities.

I know. Easier said than done.  But how you respond says more about you than you’ll ever know. 

Read the entire article.

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