The RIF Survival Road Map

So, you just got RIFFED—a Reduction In Force, aka a re-
organization. You feel gobsmacked, mad, sad, rejected, among other emotions. But, as with other potholes in the road of life, you must keep moving forward. After receiving excellent advice in a similar situation, I can confidently share with you the 10-step RIF Survival Road Map.

1. Take a day or two, but no more, to wallow in your emotions. Then, pull yourself together, and chart your path forward. As you do, remind yourself that none of this is personal. All good CEOs must make tough decisions, and that can involve cost-cutting. Appreciate what you learned, and the people you met, and focus on the positive.
   
   
2. Set yourself up for success, personally and professionally. If you need to cut costs at home, do so. Put that wine club on hold, review your subscriptions, and cut out some of those non-essentials. While you WILL find another job, there is no sense in digging a hole and deciding on a new opportunity out of desperation. If you need to obtain a cell phone, a laptop, or a car, do what you must, as these tools will help you in your job search, but be practical and know that it will take at least 90 days to find a new role.
   
   
3. Get tactical and get going—in the right direction. Update your LinkedIn profile and your resume. Spend time thinking and analyzing. What kind of job do you want next? Who is your preferred employer? Spend time thinking about your ideal future state and work towards that. Look in the mirror and be honest about your skills, results, and experiences.  If you feel like you have gaps in your professional offering, take courses. LinkedIn learning has a plethora of options, and most are free. Reach out to your network and let people know you are looking.  Be ready to share the types of roles and organizations that excite you.
   
   
4. Prepare an elevator pitch. You know—a two minute who are you and what you can offer a prospective colleague or boss. Creative problem-solver, process-driven professional, finance whiz with people skills—you do you, but make it impactful, succinct, and real.
   
   
5. Looking for a job IS a job, but do not let it consume you. This is a wonderful time to remember that your job does not define you. Consistently spend 2-4 hours a day actively looking for work, then stop.
    
6. Work on other things in your life. Make a list of things you always wanted to do, but didn’t have the time as you were working full-time. Examples could include lunch with friends, picking up kids from school, taking a yoga class, and painting the guest room. Make a “to-do” list every day. Get up, shower, make yourself presentable, and get working on that list. During my hiatus, I practiced piano for a half-hour every day once I finished my daily job search. Giving yourself structure and purpose will get you through. It may be hard the first few days, but, one day at a time, it will get better. 
   
   
7. Reach out to people in your network with connections outside your network. Get the word out. Not everyone lives on LinkedIn, but many people will want to help. This includes your friends at River Heights Consulting. We
   
   
   know a lot of people and get requests for referrals often and we’re happy to help. I suggest ending those networking conversations with “Is there anything I can do for you?” Try to pay it forward if you can’t pay it back. You can write endorsements on LinkedIn, introduce people to each other, and volunteer for someone’s organization. Share your time and talents.  Remember to thank people for their time. Good manners NEVER hurt. I’m always happy to help and recommend people that reflect well on me. I will refrain from doing so with those I am concerned will negatively affect my reputation. 
   
   
8. Finally, don’t beat yourself up. Take stock of lessons learned, focus on the positives, and, as tempting as it is, do not badmouth your former employer. I guarantee you that the team who made the decision did not do so easily or casually. 
   
   
9. Stay positive and keep up the disciplined plan every Monday through Friday. If you have a confidante or two you can call when the blues strike, do so without being a pest. Find a positive coping mechanism—walk the dog, pull weeds, volunteer, or do something productive.
   
   
10. Once you get that new job, and you will if you want to, thank the people that got you through. If this happens to someone you know, be the person to help them out. Dave, Jan, Judy, and Trevor, I’m talking about you. I appreciated it then, and I appreciate it now. A friend got riffed last week and this article is for her. 

From resume building to interview prep to industry introductions, River Heights Consulting can elevate your job search to new heights.  

Send us a message, find us on LinkedIn, or any of our socials HERE.

Desirée Grace is a coach, advisor, consultant, and mentor with 30+ years as a senior leader
in the electrical distribution and manufacturing sectors. She builds brands, grows revenue and motivates teams, facilitates strategy and execution, and offers special expertise in helping offshore companies enter the North American market. An experienced professional who enables win-win outcomes for organizations and their partners, find her on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/desireecgrace.

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