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A layoff can be difficult to handle, but how you react to it is extremely important to the future of your career. In a recent turn of events, television host Conan O’Brien became part of one of the most infamous layoffs when he was let go by NBC. During his monologue on Monday night, Conan pretty much summed it up to audience members by saying:

“Hi, I’m Conan O’Brien and I need all of you to write me a letter of recommendation.”

If you haven’t kept up with the story, here’s a basic recap according to what’s been reported: Conan O’Brien signed a contract with NBC five years ago, promising him the Tonight Show. At the time, Jay Leno hosted the show. When O’ Brien’s turn came up to take over the program, Leno was moved to a different show with a different time slot. Things didn’t pan out well, and Leno’s new ratings were down and never came up. At the same time, Conan’s ratings were not reaching the expected numbers. NBC felt that the best way to bring them up would be moving Leno back to a later time slot and pushing Conan’s show to midnight (the show has always aired at 11:30p.m.). As a result, Conan was forced to accept the new deal or move on.  In a very public address, Conan stood his ground and said he would not accept the new terms. Executives refused to budge and in the end, his fan base and clout were not enough to sustain his stand.

You might enjoy this recent clip from Saturday Night Live poking fun at the whole ordeal:

We can use this as a lesson that layoffs really can happen to anybody. I read a great Harvard Business Review article that serves as a reminder to all: at the end of the day, layoffs aren’t personal – “it’s just business.” According to the author, Conan, just like any employee, is part a revenue stream which can eventually trump the needs of any one employee.

In today’s economic climate, thousands of Americans face layoffs for several reasons.  Maybe your position or department isn’t viewed as a revenue generator. Maybe your organization is going through a merger or acquisition. Even with advanced notice, few are ever really prepared for layoffs. In the case of Conan O’Brien, he was certainly not ready to be let go.

As I mentioned before, how you react to being laid off can be extremely important to your career. While it may not be easy, here are some tips to help you handle a lay off with poise and professionalism:

- It is best remain professional during your exit and leave on good terms. Remember, you never want to burn bridges that may come in useful later on in your professional career.
- Keep your resume, application materials and potential references and their contact information up-to-date.
- Get recommendation letters. If the layoff was a result of something out of your hands, a recommendation can certainly come in handy for your next interview.
- Join and participate in career-related social media sites such as LinkedIn.
- Make sure your professional association memberships are up-to-date.
- Network in your community, at civic events, in philanthropic organizations and in groups that share your leisure interests.
- Don’t waste time being upset and angry. Instead, use the time away as a chance for reflection. Were you doing what you really wanted to be doing? If not, you may want to consider a new direction for the next step in your career.

Above all else, remember to remain realistic and positive! There may not be many jobs out there, but there are still some! This could be your chance to focus on your strengths and really market yourself to future employers and clients. If you have recently faced a lay off or know someone who has, check out our Careers Page for a listing of job openings that may be a good fit for you.

Sources:

http://humanresources.about.com/od/whenemploymentends/a/employ_term.htm

http://www.ehow.com/how_4892354_handle-layoff-survival-tips.html

http://workplaceculture.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_handle_the_last_day_at_work#

http://www.hrmguide.net/usa/layoff_tips.htm#