Panicking About a Layoff? Here's Help

Hi Lily, my husband is concerned that he could be laid off soon. He's been frantically sending out resumes, but not getting any bites. The industry he's in has taken a particularly bad hit from the economy, so I think there are many people fighting for a few positions. He was saying that if he lost his job, he'd be willing to work something like retail or bartending for a bit, just to bring in some money while looking for a job. Would this look odd on a resume -- to have professional-type jobs for 10 years, then a year-long stint tending a bar? Or is this becoming more common? Should he attempt to also do a bit of freelance work in his field on the side (though that may be tough to find)? Thanks.

If your husband's worst fears come true and he has no other job on the horizon, then he should focus on negotiating the most generous severance package that he can. Because the industry as a whole is suffering, his employer ought to be understanding about why a seasoned professional would want extra help during his transition. Then again, the financial situation that necessitated your husband's layoff might also prevent his employer from paying him the severance that he deserves. This is why, in addition to coming up with a reasonable dollar figure, your husband should also think about in-kind benefits that could assist him in the pursuit of his next job. For example, it is not unusual to include a certain number of hours of outplacement assistance and the continued use of the company laptop as terms in a separation agreement. If your husband does not feel confident asking for concessions, or if he has questions about what is reasonable to expect, he should consult an employment attorney for more specific guidance.

Meanwhile, your husband should remain diligent in his pursuit of other employment opportunities, and he should also explore ways to expand his search without abandoning his field altogether. Encourage him to cast a wider net to encompass related positions that typically interface with his current role. A marketing manager, for example, might consider applying for jobs in sales support or product development, both of which rely heavily upon marketing expertise. In the process of looking for other permanent employment, your husband should also work on strengthening his network of professional connections. This can help him to get a job or, at the very least, yield freelance assignments to tide your family over.

If your husband finds himself having to tend bar or work in retail to make ends meet during his job search, all is not lost. I would not, however, include this on his resume. Even though odd jobs can add color and dimension to a resume, someone at your husband's level of experience should only be listing jobs that relate to their professional objectives. This is why your husband needs desperately to find some way to remain connected to his industry. Even if he does just a small amount of freelance work on the side, it will allow him to avoid the dreaded time gap. If your husband is unable to find freelance work and ends up with a gap in employment of more than a few weeks, he can use the cover letter to explain that he was in transition following a layoff.

Yet, the way in which you wrote your question makes me wonder whether your husband actually has a clear indication that his job is on the line. His employer might have taken steps that would lead any discerning observer to believe that layoffs are imminent. But, unless the organization is in the process of shutting down, that does not automatically mean that these plans include your husband. It sounds like your husband needs to have an honest talk with his employer about his prospects for retention. He must find out as much as he can about where he stands because it is possible that he is panicking for nothing.

Lily Garcia has offered employment law and human resources advice to companies of all sizes for more than 10 years. To submit a question, e-mail HRadvice@washingtonpost.com. We reserve the right to edit submitted questions for length and clarity and cannot guarantee that all questions will be answered.