Pink Slip
The past year has been rough on everyone. Prices are rising, profits are shrinking and companies all across the nation are trimming the fat and laying off employees with the dreaded pink slip. While getting a pink slip is initially shocking and devastating, it just may be the push needed to make life altering changes. There is life after a pink slip.
Often people get stuck in a rut of staying in the same old job year after year, afraid to move on or just too comfortable in that niche to try anything else. After getting a pink slip, sit and have a good cry before pulling yourself together to come up with a pink slip survival strategy. The most important thing to remember is not to panic. Normally when an employee is given a pink slip, there is some sort of severance package. Three months of severance pay is about the usual amount. A severance package provides some breathing room but hoard it carefully.
Budget and see if there are any bills that can be eliminated. If it comes down to deciding to keep the cable or the internet; choose the internet. Seriously, there is nothing to watch on television anyway and the internet can be used for job hunting and networking. Immediately stop going out to eat because it is a costly unnecessary expense. Put the severance pay into a savings account so it can draw some interest and dole it out in payday increments.
Look at getting the pink slip in a positive light. This just might be the opportunity to branch out into a new direction. Sit down with a pad of paper and pen writing down what career fields are of interest to you. Even if it is a long shot, go ahead and take the chance. Check out the community college for work training programs. Many colleges have certificate programs that only take a semester or two to complete. Make good use of your time and update your resume with current references.
Go online and look for opportunities to make money. Clean out the house and sell any unwanted items on EBay. Sign up to take surveys online, sell pictures or write articles. Although it most likely will not bring in enough cash to pay the mortgage, it just may bring some money trickling into your bank account to keep you afloat for a little while longer.
Part of having a pink slip survival strategy is following a routine of getting up each morning just as if you were going to work. Do not allow yourself to wallow in self pity lounging in your pajamas all day long. Instead of focusing on the pink slip, look at the big picture. Think positive, be frugal and network, network, network. Getting a pink slip just may be the best thing that has ever happened to you.
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