Should You Ever Volunteer For a Layoff?

Is the timing right?

I’m not just talking age. Twenties, forties, fifties, whatever—job search requires a willingness to persist through networking rejections, the ups and downs of the hiring process, and the silence of waiting for feedback and decisions. But timing also means other commitments in your world right now. Are you shepherding elderly parents through assisted living options or navigating college applications with your teenage kids? Is your significant other at a particularly hectic time in his/her career? Did you just take on responsibility for a specific project or client that you’d like to see through?

 If your responsibilities will prevent you from launching a full-strength job search or giving a start-up your unswerving attention, you may be wise to wait for better circumstances before getting laid off. But keep in mind that this offer may not be repeated, and mandatory layoffs, usually with punier packages, may follow. My former colleague’s firm has cut its severance benefit in recent years.

Can you pull it off financially?

I used my severance to pay household expenses while I landed my first clients. I knew I could also get consulting work in my field, and health insurance on my spouse’s plan. Is the severance offer large enough to give you traction in your next pursuit? Do you have options to fill in gaps (like spousal medical coverage) that your typical severance package lacks? Remember that severance, meant as a cushion, is unlikely to cover the entire transition, especially if you’re starting a business (which often takes longer than even your most conservative projections). Run the numbers based on your household expenses and the expenses for your next pursuit.

If the severance offer isn’t rich enough, don’t dismiss getting laid off outright. See if you can negotiate for more, or go after alternatives like consulting work that can supplement the severance. Once you have confirmation that additional resources will be there, you can then raise your hand.

Voluntary layoffs shouldn’t be driven solely by fear, including anxiety prompted by an extreme change like this at midlife. Look at your fears with eyes wide open to see where the risks are and how you can mitigate them. Don’t dismiss the idea of volunteering to go before reflecting on whether it would work for you. Sometimes, getting laid off is the best next step.

Caroline Ceniza-Levine is a career expert with SixFigureStart®.  She is a former recruiter in management consulting, financial services, media, technology, and pharma/ biotech. Connect with Caroline on Google+.