Jen “Odd” Glantz here! Every day during lunch, I shut off my phone and pick up the newspaper.

My eyes need a break from the screen and I waste way too much time on TikTok.

So I read every page of the newspaper while I bite into my PB&J sandwich and bag of chips.

Lately, it feels like every page has an article about companies laying off employees and folding entire departments. Thousands of people are losing their jobs and that’s a scary feeling.

I know this because I was laid-off from my full-time job in 2015. It was unexpected. It was a shock to the system and to my ego. I was not prepared.

Whether or not you think you have job security for life, I still want to share some things you can do in case you get a meeting on your calendar that says “catch up” - with your boss and someone from HR.

Read on, sweet friend.

PS. I have THREE open spots for 1:1 coaching NEXT month. This month is all booked up. These go fast so if you ever wanted to work together on a life-career-side hustle strategy, I’ve got your back.

Book a 1:1 Coaching Session

Do This Before You Get Laid-Off

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Organize Your Money

One of the scariest parts of losing your job is losing the paycheck that comes with it. But it can hurt a lot more if your finances are a mess. If you haven’t already done so, get a grip on the following things:

• How much are you spending vs. saving every month?

• What debt do you have and can you consolidate or pay it off quickly?

• Do you have an emergency fund that you contribute to monthly?

• What expenses can you instantly cut if you needed to?

Here are some free excel spreadsheets to use to help you organize your money.

Update Your Personal Brand

Having a personal brand is more important now than ever. That’s because a personal brand is not only how you “package” yourself, but how you tell your story and how you present that story IRL and in the digital world. I believe that every person should be able to:

• Know their strengths, accomplishments, and unique value and be able to communicate that

• Be able to tell their story in 30-second and in 3-paragraphs

• Have a website - even if it’s just one page. It helps when people Google you

• Know how to leverage your skills and value to get better and bigger opportunities

• And more.

Check this out if you need help. It’s a true game changer.

Get Your Boring Stuff Together

Nobody I know looooves working on their resume and cover letter. But it’s even harder to work on these boring documents when you desperately need them to land you a new job.

So open the files NOW. Just open them and gradually start editing them, sharing them with friends for feedback, and getting them ready in case you need to use them in 2022. You should do this 1-2x a year. That way, if the time comes and you need to have these files ready, they are waiting for you. It will make life sooooo much lesss stressful.

Checklist:

• Update your resume

• Create a cover letter outline

• Update your Linkedin

• Create a personal branded website for yourself

• Reach out to people in your industry to say hello - without asking for anyone (more on that below)

Reach Out to People Before You Need Anything

When you lose your job, people tell you to start asking your network for help. But that doesn’t always work in your favor, especially if you haven’t chatted with people in years.

Before you need help from past colleagues or people you’ve met a few times or people you’re friends with on Linkedin - start rebuilding the connection or relationship with them NOW. NOW. NOW

How do you do that?

Read this book - it will teach you exactly how to reach out to people.

Figure Out What Skills You Can Freelance

Take an assessment of your skills. Which ones can you offer on a freelance basis if you needed immediate cash? If you’re not sure, search these sites for ideas and maybe even make a profile on them just in case.

• Fiverr

• Upwork

• TaskRabbit

• Rover

• GigSalad

• Start looking for consulting gigs in your industry

Increase Your Income Sources

Think about building up passive income streams, side hustles, or other sources of income so that if you need the cash, you have a way or earning it other than from your full-time job.

Here are some things to read:

• Passive income

• Side hustles / odd jobs to start

• Learn how to start a side hustle

Build Up Other Skills That Might Come in Handy

If you have some free time, start investing in courses or classes or certificates to build up skills you might need for future jobs. Find topics that interest you and learn them in case you need them:

• Public speaking

• Google certificates

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The Odd List of Random Things

🤔 Add to your life:

Books & Stuff:

A fun little list of all the things that I adore the most in this world - from books to oddities for your desk.

Tools: Here are some of my go-to platforms to use.

The best course platform

An awesome email provider

How I built my website

AI software

Time management and to-do list management tool I use daily

Random:

These things are always good to keep handy

The most delicious healthy pick-me-up soda. I love the root beer, cola, and cream soda flavors the most.

When I need a good gift for someone, I send them a wine subscription or a treat from this site. If they are engaged, this is the ultimate gift to send.

Other newsletters to enjoy: Monday Pick-Me-Up, The Gist (if you love sports), Morning Brew (all your news in one spot).

🙂 Work With Jen Glantz:

Let’s work together, whether 1:1, through a course, or even for a company workshop.

1:1 Coaching

Courses - Check them out! I’m offering an all-access pass to these courses + a 1-hour coaching session (a $1,000+ value for a LOT less). Grab the all-access bundle here.

Company Workshops & Speaking

🥳Jen Glantz is the founder of Bridesmaid for Hire, host of the podcast You’re Not Getting Any Younger, and the creator of The Pick-Me-Up newsletter. She offers 1:1 coaching and company workshops. Follow her adventures on Instagram @jenglantz.