You’ve Been Laid Off from a Job You Love—What’s Next?
As a Talent Attraction Consultant, I frequently hear from job seekers navigating the uncertainty of a sudden layoff. The initial reaction? Grief. Many people enter the grieving process, sometimes blaming themselves for losing their job—even when it wasn’t their fault.
Interestingly, consultants tend to handle job transitions more smoothly because they know their roles are temporary. Take my own experience, for example: My longest consulting engagement was with MCI Telecommunications in 1992, where I designed the Recruiting Strategy and worked directly with Hiring Managers to recruit 221 IT professionals to Cedar Rapids, IA—then a city of just 112,000 people with only three IBM mainframe shops. The project spanned 30 months, with my first 10 months spent in Pentagon City, VA before transitioning to Cedar Rapids. Consultants understand that contracts have end dates—but for full-time employees, job loss often comes as a shock.
So, how do you move forward?
Step 1: Accept and Take Action
The key to moving past grief is accepting your reality and deciding how to improve your situation. Dwelling on the past won’t change it—but taking action will.
Step 2: Secure Immediate Income (If Needed)
If you need a paycheck right away, look for jobs with quick hiring processes. Consider roles at places like Walmart, Target, ski resorts, or golf clubs. Many of these companies offer immediate income and additional perks such as hiring bonuses, discounts, or benefits.
Step 3: Start Your Job Search Now
If financial pressure isn’t urgent, start your search immediately. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to build momentum.
Need a Proven Plan?
My book, EXPECT SUCCESS! The Science of the Over 50 Career Search, is a step-by-step guide to landing a job in around 90 days—if you follow the system religiously. With my insider perspective as the Leading Talent Attraction Consultant, I provide behind-the-scenes insights that most job seekers never get to see.
📖 Check out this 5-star review: www.readersfavorite.com/book-review/expect-success
A layoff isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of your next great opportunity. Take charge, make a plan, and EXPECT SUCCESS!
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Bill Humbert’s Bio
With over 40 years of expertise as a Professional Talent Attraction Consultant and 26+ years as an Expert Career Coach, Bill Humbert is uniquely positioned to speak, author, and consult on Talent Attraction, Career Search, and Goal Setting.
Having presented to audiences on three continents (Europe, Africa, and North America), Bill’s career began in 1981 as a fee-based recruiter in Washington, D.C. In 1990, he founded his consulting business, shifting to a flat monthly fee model and successfully serving companies across diverse industries, including telecom, construction, financial services, manufacturing, management consulting, and renewable energy.
Notably, Bill recruited the Chief Operating Officer for a restaurant chain, with her tenure starting on March 1, 2023.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bill demonstrated thought leadership by authoring 104 consecutive weeks of #TalentAttractionTuesday and #JobSearchFriday blogs, which are available on RecruiterGuy.com. He has a rich Article Bank with 400+ Articles.
As a career coach, he has guided hundreds of professionals toward successful career transitions over the past 26 years. He is also the author of three career search books, including the highly acclaimed EXPECT SUCCESS! The Science of the Over 50 Career Search, which received a 5-star review on readersfavorite.com/book-review/expect-success
