As unfortunate as the reality of it is, people get laid off all the time; you are not alone and most importantly, there can be light at the end of the tunnel. If you are struggling with a recent layoff, expected or not, moving forward can feel like a very overwhelming and daunting process. However, according to Forbes.com, these key tips can go a long way in helping you move on to bigger and better things.

• Breathe. Whether you being laid off was sudden or somewhat expected, it can feel like a huge blow to your professional career and your personal well-being. You need to give yourself some time to sit and think about what just happened. You may be angry, hurt, frustrated, worried, etc., but regardless of how you feel, it is important to remember that these feelings are natural. Talk to a friend or even keep notes on how you’re feeling. It will surprise you how much of a weight can be lifted by just allowing yourself time to breathe.
• Try To Stay Positive. Obviously this is much easier said than done. The idea is simple; if you fill your mind and inner dialogue with positive thoughts, focusing on your strengths as a person and employee, your brain will instinctively react accordingly. Positivity can only foster further positivity and growth.
• Remember To Take Care of Yourself. Initially, your first reaction to being laid off and suddenly without an income may be panic and an urgent need to save your livelihood. However, your first thought needs to be to take care of yourself. Simple acts such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle and continuing to get enough sleep, going for walks etc., can go a long way in clearing your mind and enabling you to focus on what’s next.
• Open Yourself Up To The Positive Side Effects Of Being Laid Off. It will be extremely easy to immediately find all of the negative potential outcomes after being laid off. However, it is key to try and focus on anything positive that may come out of it as a result. For instance, you may find yourself gravitating towards jobs that may be better suited for your skills and interests. Use this time to figure out what is truly important to you and what you really want to do moving forward in your career. Who knows, your next position may have higher pay or even more lucrative benefits available.
• Take Advantage Of Your Support Team. Whether this means surrounding yourself with family and friends or reaching out to your networking circle, keep the conversations and connections open. Do not feel embarrassed or ashamed for being laid, it happens to even the best performers. Your support team may be able to lend some insight into how you’re feeling and provide recommendations or advice on how to move forward.

Regardless of how, why or when you were laid off, no one likes the idea of suddenly being back in the job market without a solid foundation under them. The feeling of having to start over can be hard to wrap your head around. The best thing you can do is focus on the positive possibilities that are now available to you. Keep your head up and push forward, remembering that this is all temporary, especially if you focus your energy on the next step, in what is sure to be a long and productive career.

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, Trillium Marine, Trillium Technical, Trillium Environmental, Trillium Hospitality and Trillium Techs. With approximately 100 offices nationwide and nearly 400 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 25 Largest Industrial Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.

Don’t worry! There are some key tips that you can utilize going into that next interview to not only give yourself confidence in your abilities but to also project that same confidence to the interviewer.

• Do Your Research: When looking into a specific job opportunity, look beyond the job description. Get to know the company and their overall mission to see how this aligns with your own goals and values. If you go into an interview prepared to not only explain why you’re excited about the role but can discuss how the company’s mission aligns with your experience and ideals, this will go a long way with impressing the interviewer.
• Passion for the Industry/Product/Company: Regardless of the particular position you are interviewing for or in what department it may fall, express how passionate you are regarding the industry, product or service that the company provides. If an entry level Admin walks into a software company discussing how much they enjoy using the product at home or in their previous position, this will stand apart with the Interviewer. The bottom line is that no matter the industry, companies love to hear how consumers enjoy their products or services.
• Understand the Role: Maybe you don’t have industry specific experience but have experience in the duties involved in the role. If this is the case, be sure to emphasize the job duties that you do have experience in. For instance, if you have worked previously as a Marketing Data Analyst for a local non profit but are now seeking work in the logistics industry, explain how your experience with market data analysis and promotions can translate to other industries and how in turn, that role has prepared you for future positions.
• Sometimes it is all about Timing: Many times the first question that is asked during an interview is “What brings you into the job market?” How you answer this seemingly simply question can prove to be quite beneficial. There are plenty of reasons why individuals end up in the job market, searching for a position, but how you portray this to a potential employer is important. A lot of times, job seekers may be looking to change industries or even start a new trajectory in the same industry. For example, if the next step in your current role is in management but you are not too keen on going down that path, it may be time to make a change. This could certainly benefit a potential employer who would be getting an experienced individual ready to work where their expertise is needed. However, it is extremely important to not dwell on your past working relationships if they are a huge reason for making a move in the first place. Companies want to hire you because they feel you will be a good fit and because you express that you want to work there, not because you’re just looking for something to replace your previous employer.

When looking for a new job it is the hope of any job seeker to find a new job with which they can be passionate about, not only the job itself but with the company as a whole. Although, this may not always be the case, try to make the best of any job search by implementing as many of these concepts as you can to ensure you are better prepared for what any interviewer may throw at you.

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, Trillium Marine, Trillium Technical, Trillium Environmental, Trillium Hospitality and Trillium Techs. With approximately 100 offices nationwide and nearly 400 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 25 Largest Industrial Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.

• 78% of workers in their 20’s are interested in changing careers
• 64% of workers in their 30’s are interested in changing careers
• 54% of workers in their 40’s are interested in changing careers
• 51% of workers in their 50’s are interested in changing careers
• 26% of workers who are in their 60’s or older are interested in changing careers

With such a large majority of the workforce interested in making a career change, maintaining your strongest performers can be an uphill battle. The struggle to locate top level talent has resulted in many employers offering a multitude of incentives to locate strong performers including referral bonuses, larger relocation packages, sign on bonuses, and other perks making the decision to leave a current employer more appealing for some candidates who may be on the fence about making a career change. So what can you do to maintain your team?

• Recognize and appreciate your staff on a regular basis.
• Create and maintain a strong employment brand.
• Offer growth opportunities within your organization.
• Fully engage in an employee retention program.
• Offer and encourage employees to take advantage of company perks and benefits.

The high costs attributed to employee turnover far outweigh the costs of most employee retention and appreciation programs. If your organization does not engage in an employee retention program, now is a great time to consider employing one!

Are you a stand out professional, technical professional, driver, or skilled worker seeking contingent, temporary, or long term career opportunities?  Visit our job board  for more information!  Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professionals and skilled workers? Contact us today!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.