I've had a long career with as many ups as I have downs, so when I started seeing the signs of things going bad at the company I was until recently employed, I prepared myself for the worst.

And, yeah, of course, I was eventually laid off.

The difference for me between now and other times I've been laid off is that this time it isn't just the only the whole tech industry that has been affected. Over thirty million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits over the past weeks, and the economy has stalled. These workers come from almost every industry I can think of, from restaurant workers to the healthcare industry.

My reason for writing about my employment situation, or at least my lack of employment, is not to garner sympathy. I do not live paycheck to paycheck, unlike many Americans and I'd expect most if not all of the Americans filing for benefits.

No, I'll make due as best as I can. But I do have concerns about some of my former co-workers. And maybe what I have to say in this post may be helpful to them and to you.

This Isn't My First Rodeo

I've been downsized before. It isn't something I care to relate here, but I would like to mention some of the things I learned over the years through the experiences of being laid off.

I put the word "Again" in the title of this post because for some of my former co-workers this was their first time experiencing this terrible scenario.

But, let's be serious about this: getting laid off really messes with your head. One day you're just doing your job, looking forward to the plans you have for the future, and the next day you are worried about putting food on your plate, how you are going to pay for your health insurance, and how you are going to find a new job.

That's enough to make anyone angry and depressed.

This Is Not About You

I really want to say that a worker did nothing wrong to cause their layoff. I don't know everyone's situation. But, I am certain that if other people were also laid off, it wasn't your own fault. From a business standpoint, layoffs are not personal. From a personal standpoint, being laid off is very personal.

While you will go through the stages of grief from what you've lost, take the time to process what has occurred. Process where this setback puts you. Do you have enough money to pay your rent? Do you need to immediately reduce future debts?

Assess your condition, but don't let it freak you out. If you need help, please seek it. Reach out to your trusted network, friend, and family. They may be able to offer you assistance with finding new employment, and provide other kinds of support you may need.

Everyone Gets Laid Off

One overlapping theme I've seen over the past few weeks, especially with people who have never been laid off, is that they feel like no one else has ever been through this stressful life change.

Please remember that you are not the only one. This year you have 30 million brothers and sisters who are having the very same experience you may be having right now.

There is no shame in becoming unemployed due to a layoff. Clear your mind of this kind of thinking.

Don't Bring Old Baggage Into A New Job

Speaking of feeling ashamed, one warning I try to alert people to is to avoid job-searching while angry.

If you are not in a good mindset for job searching, you may make some mistakes during the process. You may find yourself choosing the wrong job types, or under-estimate the level of skill you've risen to over time. You may not make the right kind of effort around creating or updating your resume (I am guilty of this).

The worst thing you could possibly do to yourself is make yourself feel unworthy and desperate. This can make your phone, video, or in-person interviews a disaster.

Don't do this to yourself.

Please come to grips with the emotions the situation you are in have brought up. Find ways to deal with your anger and disappointment before taking on the difficult task of a new job hunt. While I know that, because of people's financial condition, it may be difficult for people to get their head right in a short period of time.

I'm not saying that you should take a day off and get over it. I am saying that you need to acknowledge these emotions, emotions that you have a right to have, and begin processing them before you begin interviewing for positions.

Last, and not least, please try to rebalance yourself before starting your new job. You don't want to bring these negative emotions with you. It will interfere with your new work and with creating relationships with new co-workers.

Not the Apocalypse

While it may feel like the end of the world, it really isn't. Is it going to be difficult? Probably. Will you make it through this difficult time. Yes. Many people look at stressful times as an opportunity. I plan to take this sudden misfortune and use it for momentum moving forward. As an opportunity to reassess my professional value. And to review my goals and make some new ones.

Good luck. And reach out if you need help.