What To Do When You Receive a Position Eliminated Letter

If you receive a notification that a company is eliminating your position, you may have concerns as to what this means and what to do next. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to effectively embrace this situation and take action to handle it effectively. There are many reasons you may receive a position eliminated letter, which are all usually out of your control. In this article, we cover what position eliminated means, what position eliminated letter looks like and what to do when you get one.

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What does "position eliminated" mean?

Position eliminated means the company you work for is removing your role and its responsibilities. Typically when this occurs, employers eliminate your specific position entirely, so they won't hire anyone else to replace you in your role, since it'll be nonexistent.

If you receive a notification or letter stating your position is being eliminated, you'll typically work a few more weeks at the company helping them wrap up or reassign any responsibilities you were previously working on. Some employers may allow you to simply transition to a different role or department, while others may administer lay offs.

Common reasons companies eliminate positions include:

• Relocation: The company may move to a different state or country. You may have the option to move with them or stay and accept a severance package.

• Merges: Due to financial issues, companies may decide to merge with one another or is bought by a different organization. This means there may be duplicates of one role, resulting in position eliminations for some employees.

• Unexpected financial situation: The company you work with may undergo unexpected financial problems, which could cause them to eliminate certain positions to save money and resources.

• Outsourcing: To save money, employers may realize your job duties can be completed by freelance workers. This way, they'll only have to pay them for each project they complete without covering any benefits or perks.

• Downsizing: Employers may reevaluate certain responsibilities within different departments and realize that one person can handle another person's tasks as well as their own. They may eliminate your position and give these tasks to the other employee within your department.

Related: Termination vs. Layoff: What's the Difference?

What does a position eliminated letter look like?

Many companies will distribute letter or emails informing you that your position is being eliminated and detailing next steps to take. Elements you'll typically find in an elimination letter are:

• Introduction

• Explanation for elimination

• Notification of elimination

• Next steps and further instructions

• Empathy and appreciation for your work

• CEO or manager's signature

Here is an example of a position eliminated letter:

1/5/2021
Dear Andrea Adams,
Due to the recent unexpected economic conditions occurring over the past few months, Property Solutions Corporation has undergone financial difficulties as a result. We explored and considered many options like increasing prices, acquiring more leads and making significant budget cuts. Unfortunately, our effort hasn't resulted in gaining the funds we need to stay financially stable.
After review every option, we've decided that we must eliminate two positions within every department. It's with deep regrets that I must inform you that your position is one that we'll be eliminating on March 2nd.
Over the upcoming week, our human resources team will schedule a meeting with you to discuss your severance package and separation benefits. We'll also offer you outplacement and career guidance services with counseling to help you find another job.
We're deeply sorry for the inconvenience this has caused. We appreciate your time, effort and contribution you've made to the company.
Sincerely,
Rachel Johnson
CEO of Property Solutions

Related: 3 Example Termination Letters (With Template)

What to do if you receive a position eliminated letter

It can seem daunting and overwhelming to receive a position eliminated letter from your employer. It's important to take time to reflect on the situation and remain professional on your final days with the company. Follow these steps if you receive a position eliminated letter:

1. Relax, take a deep breath and embrace the situation

After reading your letter, take time to reflect on the information you just read. Try to take a moment to clear your head by going for a walk outside around the building. Remember that it's okay to feel upset, but you should still remain professional for the remaining weeks that you're employed.

Consider talking with other employees whose positions were eliminated. It may make you feel better knowing you're not going through this situation alone. It's also important to remind yourself that the situation is out of your control and doesn't reflect on your work performance.

Related: How to Address Why You Were Laid Off

2. Determine what benefits or severance pay you'll receive

Meet with your human resources team to learn what benefits they're offering employees with eliminated positions. You may receive a severance package with payment or benefits covered over the next few months or other additional perks. Try to remain professional and mature during this meeting to stay on good terms with the company.

3. Review your timeline

Your position eliminated letter should detail how much longer you're employed with the company. Lay out your timeline by writing your upcoming schedule in your calendar. This helps you understand which projects and any other responsibilities you need to complete or sort out before you leave.

Try to work hard over the next few days or weeks with your company to showcase your skill set and abilities. Employers may notice you contributing quality work in your final days and may write you a recommendation letter or consider hiring you back when the company is financially stable or ready for more employees. You should also build a schedule that balances your work life and time spent building job search materials.

4. Ask for references

During your final days with the company, meet with your managers and other employees to ask if they'll write you a letter of recommendation or if you can list them as a reference for the next role you apply for. Many employers who must lay off employees usually feel compelled to help employees get new jobs, so they'll usually be enthusiastic to help you find a new position you're a great fit for.

This is also why it's important to remain on good terms with your team members to ensure they keep a positive view of you from beginning to end to ensure they write you a strong reference letter.

Related: How to Determine Who to Use as a Reference

5. Learn if the company offers any career assistance programs or resources

Some companies may have access to career assistance or outplacement services to help you quickly find a new job. If this isn't already listed as part of your severance package, as the human resources team if it's available. Most outplacement services offer assistance with writing resumes and cover letters, developing your elevator pitch and coaching you on interview etiquette.

This can be a great way to get started on your job search during your final days of employment with the company, which could increase your chances of landing a job right after you officially leave the company.

6. Maintain professionalism with employees and supervisors

While you may feel upset or frustrated with your supervisors, try to remain professional throughout the rest of your employment and leave on good terms with them. Ask to connect with your team members and managers on social media sites and exchange contact information. If they see you act professional and mature from start to finish during your employment, they may recommend you to their own connection who's hiring or keep you in mind if they see other job opportunities open up in the future.

7. Update your job search materials

Start preparing your resume and cover letters and applying to potential job opportunities. If you financial status allows, take time to find a new role that interests you and that you feel passionate about. Update your resume to include any experience or skills that you gained in your previous role. Carefully review the job descriptions of the roles you're interested in to locate any keywords, which are words or phrases repeated throughout the requirements and preferences sections of the document.

Include these keywords in your resume and cover letter to catch the hiring manager's attention. These keywords will also help them better picture you applying the skills they're looking for toward the position's responsibilities. Research common interview questions and practice delivering your answers to a friend or colleague. You should also develop your elevator pitch, which is a 30-second speech selling yourself to employers. Tell them your background, skills and the value you have to offer their company.

Related: 125 Common Interview Questions and Answers (With Tips)

8. Reach out to your connections

A great way to find potential roles you could be a great fit for is to reach out to your connections to see if they know of any opportunities available. You may have friends or colleagues who work at a company that's hiring. They can refer you to their manager, which increases your chances of getting the job. Your connections may also see that you're looking for a job and will contact their own network to see if they know of any potential opportunities as well.