How to get the best severance package

How to get the best severance packageSoit happened. Youve gotten the bad news that youre fired, or laid off. It may feel like the world is endingor you may just feel shock. Whatever youre feeling, the fact remains the saatkorn youre leaving your job, and not by your own choice. While you do need to embrace that reality, you dont necessarily have to take the severance package that was initially offered to you. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) When the worst happens, take these considerations into account to see if you can improve your severance.Talk to a lawyer.An employment attorney can help you navigate the waters after youve been terminated, particularly if you feel like you werent fired for proper cause or you were marched out of the office quickly without the chance to take stock of the situation. This doesnt mean sue the bastards, but it does mean you should get a professionals advice on whether you do have grounds for a potential su it. An attorney can also help you figure out if you have any wiggle room for negotiation.Negotiate yourself.Even if you do have an attorney, its usually the best course to do the negotiating yourself (unless you are likely to file a lawsuitthen its best to have your attorney either present or speaking on your behalf). Having someone negotiate for you can escalate the tension, so be careful to keep the tone civil if youre hoping to get a better deal.Ask for more.At this point, you have little to lose, so you should request a higher severance payment. You should definitely be realisticthe payment is unlikely to double or triple from an initial offer, but you may be able to negotiate a lump sum payment vs. continued salary or an increase in the total payment.Nail down insurance information.One of the trickiest parts of unemployment can be insurance coverage, especially if youre used to having solid coverage through your job. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1995 (a .k.a. COBRA) means you can likely continue your insurance coverage for up to 18 months, but at your own expense. If coverage is a concern, this is a point to raise with the company. You may be able to get the company to keep paying for your insurance for a period of time after you leave.Ask about unused benefits.Some companies may offer a check in exchange for unused vacation or personal time, so be koranvers to see whats on the table and fully understand what your companys policies are on that front.Be clear on whats in the severance agreement.Always, always, always read the fine print. Some severance agreements contain non-compete language, which limits your ability to go work for a competitive company. Others contain a non-disparagement clause, which means you may have to forfeit your total severance package if youre busted saying anything negative about the company after you leave (even if its true). Make sure you understand what the conditions are if you accept the severance pa ckage.Once you get the bad news, the important thing isdont panic. Or if you do panic, try to get it out of your system and then settle in for the next phase of talking through the logistics of your leaving. Just like negotiating a salary, you may have the chance to improve your packageif you ask for it.

7 Tips to Keep You Motivated During the Job Search

7 Tips to Keep You Motivated During the Job Search 7 Motivation Tips for Job Seekers to Keep You GoingFor those moments when its hard to muster job-search motivation, keep these tips in mind.If youre one of the millions of Americans currently looking for a new job, your determination might waver at times.How do you stay motivated? Lets take a look at these motivation tips for job seekers1. Get sunlightSeeing the sun or being in sunlight is proven to make you feel good. As little as 10 minutes of skin exposure to ultraviolet rays fosters your bodys metabolism of vitamin D. On the contrary, lack of sunlight is not good for your body or mind. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a real thing please consult a physician if you think you might have it. In fact, a common treatment for SADis light therapy (phototherapy). When your mood is elevated, the moods of people around you are also elevated (a phenomenon known as emotional contagion), which in turn can help keep you motivated. Basicall y, in addition to all these other great benefits, sunlight makes you popular and who doesnt love popularity?2. ExerciseRelieve stress.Get the heart rate up. Get your blood circulating and pumping oxygen throughout your body. Walking, running, dancing, joga (among other activities) or playing a sport releases endorphins and other feel-good chemicals that mobilize you for action and motivation.3. Eat well, eat rightKnow your body. Consuming foods that energize and provide real nutritive value is a great way to help you stay motivated. Moderation rules. Avoid fast food, refined sugar, or overly processed items. Hint If what youre eating is going to make you curl up for naptime or put you in a food coma, you should leave it alone unless you need the nap and its not interfering with your previously scheduled job-hunting activities.4. Read motivational books (and/or listen to motivational speeches)Self-improvement is a huge industry. Pick out some titles from the local library or stream videos on YouTube. Sometimes inspirational words and stories can light the fire you need to keep a positive attitude in your employment search. I personally recommend Jeff Olsens The Slight Edge, which talks about doing little things consistently over time.5. SleepSleep governs everything. Without enough of it, your body, brain,and mood suffer. You want to be at peak sharpness when applying and interviewing for positions. Quality shut-eye is one motivation tip for job seekers we can all agree upon.6. PlaySchedule playtime so you can release yourself from the tyranny of what might seem like a perpetual chore. Unstructured play boosts immune response and can also help stimulate creativity, often indispensable to job searches (and a skill coveted by many employers).7. Shake up your environmentSometimes the brain needs new stimulation to stay sharp. Take a different route to the grocery store or to your kids school. Drop in and explore some business or park you always pass by but never enter. Go on a road trip just because. Work on your job applications or update your LinkedIn profile from Starbucks or the local library. Change the surroundings, and your mind will be mora alert to everything due to the newness around you.Let TopResume help you write the next chapter of your career. Heres how.Recommended ReadingHow to Know When Its Time to Quit Your JobFree DownloadJob-Search Jumpstart PlanWhat to Do When Your New Job Isnt Your Dream JobRelated Articles