Restructured? What next?
Right-sizing, restructuring, re-organization, company relocation.
All of these R words can mean you have found yourself out of a job. In this blog, we provide resources on how to adjust to your situation and take the next steps.
The most important thing is to take care of yourself. Airline travellers are always reminded during safety demonstrations to put themselves first before assisting anyone else should the air mask drop during the flight. Similarly, there are steps to take to take to manage your situation.
You may have feelings of anger, bitterness and a sense of loss, particularly if you’ve been caught off guard. It’s natural to feel a sense of despair and feel hurt.
You may have worked for an organization for a long time and been a loyal employee. When companies restructure, it is not about individual employees. There’s a change in direction and staff are reorganized accordingly. Don’t take it personally.
There are immediate steps to take once you’ve received your severance. Do you have the ability to obtain medical and dental coverage? Did you have a pension that needs to be addressed?
How is your personal and/or family financial situation impacted? If you have an investment advisor, it’s important to determine how best to manage any severance and if you have financial reserves, how can they be accessed, if need be.
If your former employer provides you with transitional assistance, such as career coaching, we recommend you access these. Seek out community resources should you find you’re having difficulty coping emotionally.
On a professional level, take time to assess your situation. Are you looking to return directly into the workforce? Is this a time to explore new training and education opportunities? Would you consider relocating?
If you plan to make an immediate return to the workforce, are your job search documents in order? Is your LinkedIn profile up to date?
It’s important to establish a normal routine. Seeking employment is a job in itself. Develop a work plan that includes networking.
Staff at The Work Place in Grande Prairie can guide eligible unemployed or underemployed clients (visit www.gpworkplace.ca for details) on how to update their resume and cover letters and conduct comprehensive job searches.
They can also assist you with your other job search tools and ensure you’re using all the resources available to you, including accessing potential training opportunities (see contact details below). Your strategies may include updating or acquiring new skills.
If you’ve been restructured, here are some resources to assist you. In some of the posts, reference is made to executives. Recommended steps are generally universal:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/four-things-do-immediately-after-youve-lost-your-job-maureen/
https://findingclarity.ca/blog/bouncing-back-after-being-restructured-out-of-a-job/
https://reimer.ca/leading-edge-so-you-have-been-restructured-originally-published-in-mmd/
https://www.monster.ca/career-advice/article/your-legal-rights-following-your-canadian-job-loss
Perhaps there’s been a restructuring at your workplace, but you find yourself still employed. If you find yourself in this scenario, we recommend you review this article: https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-best-moves-to-make-if-you-hear-your-companys-restructuring
If you want more help with your job search at no cost, contact us at 780-539-5477. You can send enquiries to info@gpworkplace.ca. Our office is located at #105, 9840-97th Ave., Grande Prairie.
We also help employers find qualified candidates.
