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Layoffs Coming? Seven Mistakes To Avoid (And What To Do Instead)

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Microsoft is laying off 7,800 employees. Two months ago, Verizon announced it was acquiring AOL – typically acquisitions involve streamlining of redundancies, which lead to layoffs. Even if your employer is not in a headline-grabbing situation, a change in senior management, a downturn in the market, or the exit of a big client all might suddenly point to impending layoffs. Having worked in corporate HR during a time when my employer was regularly shedding jobs, I have seen first-hand how mistakes get made due to panicked reactions winning out over thoughtful preparation. Even if layoffs are announced today and you are caught off guard, you still have time to develop a plan. If layoffs are happening at your employer, here are seven mistakes to avoid and what to do instead:

Mistake 1: Assuming You’re Not On The List

While I just said not to panic, you also don’t want to go to the opposite extreme and just assume you’re not affected. Even if your last performance review was stellar, even if you're buddies with the CEO and s/he would never get rid of you, even if you’re responsible for a key area or client, your job might still be in jeopardy.

Instead: Keep reading the rest of this article, and use it to prepare just in case.

Mistake 2: Assuming You’re Definitely On The List

On the flip side, don’t start packing up your things, stop doing your job and just wait for the bad news to be confirmed. Don’t check out prematurely.

Instead: Keep your day-to-day routine. Maintain a high standard of performance. Your employer might still be deciding who stays and who goes, and your mature, professional response to the news can tip the balance favorably.

Mistake 3: Trash Talking Your Employer

Don’t just go through the motions either, while participating in water cooler gossip and stirring up the inevitable rumor mill on what might be happening.

Instead: Maintain a positive attitude about your work, and a neutral stance on how you feel about any changes. Be careful about sharing anything you hear. Information gets released selectively, and you might be privy to something that is not meant for your colleagues.

Mistake 4: Waiting For HR To Take The Lead

Yet, while you continue to be a team player, it doesn’t mean you can’t prepare for different scenarios, including a layoff. Just don’t wait for HR to explain all your options.

Instead: Do your own research. Look at the company policies, especially the severance section. See what is owed to you under different scenarios. You might be three months away from a key anniversary (say five years) that bumps you up to a more generous severance formula. Knowing that, you wouldn’t want to volunteer for a package for at least three months (if indeed you decide you want to leave).

Mistake 5: Blanketing Your Network With Pleas For Help

If you do decide you want to leave, don’t just throw yourself on your network with a mass email or a generic LinkedIn update, asking for help.

Instead: You always want to rekindle connections before asking for favors. In the case of an imminent layoff, you especially want to take your time to start a dialogue because you don’t want to seem desperate, you don’t want to make your networking contacts feel uncomfortable if they can’t help (or because you remind them that layoffs happen and make them fear for their own jobs!) and you want to be prepared to talk about your situation calmly and engagingly.

Mistake 6: Getting Caught Without An Updated Resume

Believe it or not, sometimes people reach out to you with help. If your department is targeted for layoffs, another department that wants you might ask you to interview for a spot there. Or a friend sees the news headline and pings you about a lead at her company. Or a recruiter sees the layoff announcement and targets you for one of his openings. Now you need to send a resume but you don’t have one.

Instead: You should always have an updated resume. At the very least, it’s a great way to keep track of your career and make sure you have something new to add (a project, a skill, a result) every few months or so. At most, you are always prepared to handle a surprise layoff or to respond to a surprise opportunity.

Mistake 7: Leaving Your Personal Items To Your Employer

I’ve seen smart, experienced professionals use their work email and phone number for their social media accounts, personal financial accounts and main contacts for their personal friends. Don’t tie your whole life to an identity that isn’t wholly under your control. I’ve also known smart, experienced professionals who keep their networking contacts in their work Outlook or work cell phone. This renders their contacts to their employer if they quickly depart!

Instead: Always use a personal email and phone number for any and all non-work related items. Always keep your contacts on devices that you personally own. If you get laid off and are escorted out of your office that very day, you don't  lose access to things that are rightfully yours.

The above recommendations are good practices for everyone, but if there is any hint of a layoff, block time on your calendar to handle these items right now.

Caroline Ceniza-Levine is co-founder of SixFigureStart® career coaching. She has worked with executives from American Express , Citigroup , Condé Nast, Gilt, Goldman Sachs, Google , McKinsey, and other leading firms. She’s also a stand-up comic, so she’s not your typical coach. Connect with Caroline on Google+.