How to turn a layoff into a layup
7 steps to help you land your next career opportunity.
Getting laid off sucks, no matter how it happens.
A layoff can be devastating to your self esteem. But it can also serve as an opportunity to elevate your pay and title, learn new skills and find a more fulfilling job opportunity.
Here are the steps I took to land my next role after a layoff.
Step 1: Take time to rest and recharge
If your company is laying off employees, there are most likely signs beforehand. Built up stress from job insecurity and/or a toxic work environment can lead to burnout.
The best remedy for this affliction is to take some time (if you can afford to) to decompress and allow your nervous system to reset.
Let yourself heal from the trauma. Lay in bed and sulk for a few days. Participate in activities you enjoy. Incorporate movement and exercise into your daily routine.
Above all else, take things slow and be gentle on yourself.
Step 2: Update your LinkedIn and resume
Once the sting of the layoff has subsided, it’s time to get to work.
First, you’ll need to update your LinkedIn profile and resume.
When editing your LinkedIn, make sure it includes a meaningful, high-quality cover photo and a smiling profile picture.
Update your tagline to tell recruiters and hiring managers what you do at glance.
Craft an About section that shares your career journey and answers the “Tell me about yourself” interview question. And don’t forget to tag your top 5 skills.
Make sure your Experience section provides a succinct, high-level overview of your responsibilities and tag your skills for each of your previous roles.
Create a readable, one-page resume that outlines top skills and accomplishments from previous jobs over the last five years (10 years if you’ve been at the same company for a while). Personalize your resume to match the duties of each job you’re interested in applying to.
Step 3: Leverage the #OpentoWork banner and post to your network
Now can I start applying for jobs? You might be thinking.
Not quite yet.
Now that you have a stellar LinkedIn profile, it’s time to tell your network that you’re open to work. The easiest way to do this is by adding the “open to work” banner and writing a post telling your LinkedIn fam exactly what you’re looking for. Then ask people to engage with your post to expand its reach.
Also, comment and like other people’s posts to get more eyes on your profile.
Step 4: Write and request recommendations
Once your LinkedIn and resume are in good shape, it’s time to reach out to former colleagues and request a LinkedIn recommendation. This is a great way for recruiters and hiring managers to get a sense of what it’s like working with you.
When you request a recommendation, make sure to include a message explaining that you’re on the hunt for a new position and offer to write them one in return.
Touching base with these loose ties can often turn into a job lead. Who better to help you land a new job than someone who has worked with you and can offer a direct referral to the hiring manager.
Step 5: Strategically apply for jobs and make connections with hiring managers
After completing steps 1–4, it’s time to start applying for jobs — strategically.
The job market is VERY saturated right now. Positions are getting thousands of applications. It’s important to be intentional when filtering and applying for open roles on LinkedIn.
Here are my tips:
Only apply to jobs that were posted within the past week
Adapt your resume language to match the job duties described in the job posting
Apply through the company website, not LinkedIn
Search LinkedIn posts not jobs and then send a direct message to the hiring manager or team member sharing the position
Step 6: Ask recruiters these two questions
When recruiters start messaging you on LinkedIn — and they will — make sure the role they are recruiting for matches your salary requirements.
You can do this by simply replying with this message:
Thanks so much for reaching out! Would you mind sharing the salary/hourly rate you’re targeting for this role?
Another important question is if it’s a full time or contract role. Many recruiters are seeking to fill short-term contracts, contract-to-hire, or indefinite contract roles.
The answers to these questions will help inform whether or not you will want to move forward with the interview process. Don’t waste your time or theirs.
Step 7: Be authentic, do your research and show gratitude during and after the interview
Once you make it to the interview stage (which I’m sure you will after following steps 1–6), keep a few things in mind.
When you receive that email requesting an interview, start doing your research.
Visit the company website and scour Glassdoor reviews to get a sense of what current employees are saying. And bring up any concerns during the interview process.
During the interview process, which could be lengthy, make sure to put your most authentic foot forward. And be prepared to answer questions in the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format.
Always ask questions of your interviewer. This shows that you’re engaged in the process and genuinely interested in learning about them and their company.
And finally, send thank you emails or LinkedIn messages to the hiring team with details shared during the interview.