Getting a job is always fantastic. So much of our self worth is predicated off of how much we feel we are contributing to society — regardless how we actually feel about it on the surface. Being part of the larger social machine makes us feel safe and productive. Human beings are pack animals who feel best when included in a functional whole.
Given the current global, political and social landscape — in the face of a mounting pandemic unbeknownst to the modern world, that pack mentality has dissipated surely over the course of the last several months. The corporate world in particular has become more digitized than it ever has been. So many of the the things that used to be personal, are now being replaced with impersonal technological mediums: In person meetings with zoom calls, 1-on-1’s with phone calls, team outings with online video games, you name it.
While a critique of the state of the world may be interesting, it is not what I intend the breadth of this article to be about. It’s one thing to be hired into a new tech position remotely (probably using one of these aforementioned technological mediums), but what about being let go?
One would hope that there would be a human touch to being laid off — assuming nothing causing your dismissal was in your direct control — being let go from a job should be an empathetic and thoughtful process. There are nuances of human interaction that can translate that sort of empathy from your direct manager (or other person who is letting you go) that are all but lost with when dealing with remote employees. Given that you may be in a circumstance where you have never even met the person/ people you are working with — the dismissal from a position becomes even easier and more void of human contact.
Dealing with the robotic hand of remote work can be difficult — especially as a highly sensitive person. I would like to lay out some tips for dealing with being laid off from a remote position, if you find yourself in this lackluster situation — you too can persevere through it and come out the other end stronger.
- “Begin with the end in mind”
Taken from the infamous management book “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” the author Stephen R. Covey lists this habit as the third most important. If we can begin with the end in mind when joining a remote position — we can take emotional, financial and spiritual precautionary measures to prepare ourselves for the shitty circumstance of being let go. A latter interpretation of beginning with the end in mind — allows us to benefit from the power of visualization of a circumstance. Within 7 Habits of Highly Effective people — Covey directly mentions the benefits of visualization when entering into any personal and professional relationship or endeavor.
When we begin with the end in mind, we allow ourselves the space to make peace with whatever possible outcome of a job or contract role that we occupy. This is not to advocate for catastrophizing along every step of the way — forever in a perpetual doomsday prep would be terribly stressful. Beginning with the end in mind is a light suggestion to live thoughtfully — and minimally. When we can visualize an ending — not the ending but some ending; we can live more in the present by building trust within, protecting ourselves for if that end moment ever comes.
2. Ask for useful feedback
The breadth of this guide is not meant for the circumstance where gross misconduct on your end led you to getting fired, this is for the situation when workers are furloughed, let go due to political circumstance, or outstanding budgetary situations.
Should you fall into the latter category of being let go, then it is always useful to make the best of a tough situation. Ask for useful feedback. REGARDLESS of the span of time your tenure at this company was — ask for feedback on your performance. When the end is near, it becomes easier to have candid conversations with your direct supervisor. This is the time you can prod to get real unadulterated feedback on the things you can improve at your next role.
The only way to grow and persevere through difficult circumstances is to take the necessary time to reflect on both the good and the bad that occurred!
3. Finish Strong
FINISH STRONG
FINISH STRONG
FINISH STRONG
I CANNOT EMPHASIZE THIS ENOUGH — FINISH STRONG!
The natural tendency when let go is to begin to slack off and not upkeep the same quality of work that you have been delivering over the course of your time at this company. THIS IS THE WRONG THING TO DO.
Keep trekking forward at the same pace that you had been prior to being let go. Your value is in your network. You never know when and where a connection made at a previous job can lead to another job/ recommendation/ partnership, etc etc.
Ever seen anyone slow down as soon as they are approaching the finish line?
Exactly.
4. Take it Easy
Tying together both 2 & 3 — take it easy on yourself. Sometimes there are outstanding circumstances beyond the scope of things you could have directly affected. Companies are large intersectional organisms. When you get laid off for x and y reasons — don’t rush to the default of internalizing the situation as your own fault.
What you SHOULD do is take some time (budget permitting of course) to reflect on how the job made you feel and what sort of contribution you had. Don’t beat yourself up for these kinds of situations. It far easier to play the victim when laid off, we can absolve ourselves of any personal responsibility when we decide to blame our employer. Take the proactive choice and don’t take it personally.
I’m here to tell you that there is power in being responsible for your own circumstance. OWN your circumstance.
Life goes on. Without the difficult, we can’t appreciate the easy :)