Due to falling gas prices, layoffs having been widespread in Houston’s oil and gas industry. Consider these recent statistics:

• Schlumberger: 9,000 layoffs
• Halliburton: 1,000 layoffs
• Apache: 250 layoffs

Those are just three examples – and there’s likely more to come. And it’s not just Houston that’s been impacted. In fact, there have been at least 31,000 cuts announced in North America alone.

That’s the bad news, especially if you’re one of the employees impacted by a layoff or you think you might get let go in the future. The good news, though? You can cope with the situation and survive. Here’s how:

Don’t rush.

As recruiters in Houston, TX, Murray Resources knows the stress and anxiety of a job loss is hard to handle. This is therefore not the time to be making quick decisions and jumping into new opportunities you’re uncertain about.

Know your severance options.

Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you fully understand and leverage all your severance options, including:

• Do you have a non-compete clause preventing you from getting another job with a competitor? If so, can you be released from it?
• What are the details of your health benefits and how long will they continue?
• What will happen to your retirement account and can you access it if you need to?
• Can you be compensated for unused vacation days?
• Will your company help you find a new job?
• Will they give you a reference?

If you’re not sure or have questions, it’s always a good idea to seek out legal counsel.

Tap into your support team.

During a layoff, you need a strong support network of colleagues, family and friends. Don’t be afraid to reach out to them and ask for help and advice. If you know people who work at a company you’re interested in, reach out to them and ask if there are any openings. Don’t feel ashamed about being laid off. It’s important to deal with the stress in a positive way by tapping into your pool of resources to move forward and find a new job.

File for unemployment.

File for unemployment as soon as possible. The sooner you become eligible, the sooner you can start collecting funds. Even if you received a generous severance package, you should still file. When doing so, make it clear the job loss was not your fault. If it was, then you won’t receive compensation.

Review your financials.

It’s important to know where you stand financially. Examine your cash reserves so you can figure out how much you have and how long it will last. With severance and unemployment only lasting a limited time, now’s also the time to look at your budget and find areas where you can cut back.

Start your job search.

Sitting around day after day without any goals will only lead to depression. Instead, get back in the game by starting your job search. Set goals each week – such as updating your resume, attending networking events, and creating a LinkedIn profile – that will ultimately help you land a new job.

Need some help with the process? Call Murray Resources. As recruiters in Houston, TX, we take your career success personally. Not only will we work one-on-one with you to learn about your background and personality, but we can also connect you with exciting and rewarding opportunities at some of the top employers in the area! Contact us today to learn more.