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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Managing Curious and Well-Intentioned PeopleI think one of the hardest things about being laid off is telling other people about it--specifically fielding their uninvited questions. I'm not talking about work people or your professional network, either. I'm talking about the family friend you run into at the grocery store, that parent you went to a PTA meeting with once, and the neighbor you seldom see. Worse yet, is interacting with a group of well-intentioned people who in-mass express their curiosity, worry, and opinions regarding your well being. Here are a few suggested talking points for managing those conversations that seem to pop up at just the wrong time. Getting Your Patter DownAfter you've chatted with your inner circle--those people with whom you share your raw and uncut thoughts, feelings, and worries, it’s time to think about how you talk about this with all the rest of the people. It is those people who make random comments, who don't really know how layoffs go, and who might be trying to be helpful or supportive or to give you advice on a situation that is foreign to them. For you, especially if you're feeling vulnerable, these conversations may be rough. Your goal may be to get through the awkwardness and move on to other topics. To prepare, it is helpful to have an idea how to respond. Here are a few suggestions for talking points to get you through. Talking About Your Current State and Near Term Plans
Talking About The Job You No Longer HaveThe question: I heard you’re unemployed. What happened there! Your core message: My job ended. It is a thing that happened.
Talking About What Is Next For YouThe question: What are you going to do now? I would be freaking out. Or I’d be scared to death if I was you. Are you sure you’ll be okay? Or A person I sort of know lost their house/was unemployed for years/had to take a pay cut/never worked again. Your core message: I’m going to keep on living and also look for a new job.
Acknowledging People's AssurancesThe question/comment: Don’t worry. It’ll be fine. Hang in there! You’re so talented! Your response: Thanks. Addressing People's Well Intentioned (and Sometimes Awful) AdviceThe comments:
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Looking BackThere are several days each year where people typically look back and assess their lives. This could be the anniversary of a death, a holiday full or memories, or your birthday. For me, the day I reflect is Groundhog Day. February 2, 2006Early in 2006, my life was at a crossroads. My then-husband and I were in the process of getting divorced, and I was figuring out how to transition from a house to two houses and what co-parenting my 2-year old daughter would be like. The one stable thing I had was my job. I was happy to have one thing that I could count on not changing. …and then February 2 happened. That morning, I went to work. I took a few minutes between meeting to create a spreadsheet to figure out if I could afford to buy a condo I’d looked at the night before on my own. As I saved my file, I got a tap on the shoulder that I had an impromptu meeting. I grabbed a pen and a legal pad and walked into a conference room full of executives who informed me that position was eliminated due to restructuring because of the company being acquired. Welcome to layoff #2. I was in shock. I returned to my desk, deleted my spreadsheet (which had just become irrelevant), told my coworker Brad “I’m gone,” and found myself sitting in my car with a box containing all of my formerly workly possessions. From the parking lot of my ex-workplace, I called my soon to be ex-husband to tell him about my now ex-job. His only response was “huh.” Then, It Got A Little WorseThat weekend, I was on a road trip to visit some of my high school friends for a fun weekend of reminiscing and going to the Snowflake Ski Jump. On my way there, a local cop pulled me over for speeding. As I sat there, I glanced at the notification I’d just received from unemployment sitting in my passenger seat—the one that said I’d receive less money than the previous time I’d been laid off—meaning I wouldn’t be bringing enough money in to cover my half of the mortgage. As the officer came to my window, I could feel the tears well up. I could not get a ticket, too. I would cry (as I often heard people threaten to do), but this was no empty threat that would come to bear only through theatrics. I was legit going to fall apart if this happened. This moment—sitting in the car with indications of my life failures greatest hits smacking me in the face, was a low point in my life—rivaled only by my dad’s unexpected death when I was still in high school. Then, It Got a Little BetterFortunately, I think because of my street cred, which included being a native of a town nearby, I drove away ticket free. One thing had gone okay. Then I got to see friends, connect with new people, and spend more time with my daughter. I also had the time and space to figure out what to do with myself now. The Transition BeginsIt was an ugly, ugly few months. I applied for countless jobs. I put our house up for sale. My daughter’s dad (new language from the book Mom’s House, Dad’s House) and I decided to move in tandem to Minneapolis, Minnesota from Madison, Wisconsin. I looked for jobs, made business connections, and stayed with friends on the way to and from my regular trips to Minneapolis. I didn’t sleep well for months. A tree fell down in my front yard the day of my open house, so I figured out how to have a giant tree removed while driving on I-90 back home from a job interview. That May, I found a job, a pre-school for my daughter, a new place to live, and reconnected with one of my best friends from high school. Later, my daughter's dad found a job and moved to Minneapolis, along with his new girlfriend (who was a lovely person and was good to my daughter). Then, to mix it up, I totaled my car, dated and broke up with a couple of people, and got Shingles three times in a row. Some days, after work, I would lie on my floor and look at the ceiling in my apartment, my low-cost therapy as I acclimated to all of the life changes. I adjusted to my new normal after going through every major life change (save a death in the family and someone I love going to prison) I could think of to endure. Then, It Kept Getting BetterIn October, on the same day, I was approved for a car loan and found out that my house in Madison had new owners. Over time, I made two great friends from my job, and I got comfortable in a new city. I started dating someone who was great, then bought a house with and married that guy--who is an awesome step-dad and cat dad. I got laid off again and got another good job, then got laid off again and got an even better job. Through layoffs, and trials and reemployments and trials and tribulations, things have gone pretty well overall. Through it all, my husband is awesome, my now-adult daughter is amazing, and the cats mostly tolerate my presence. A Frame of Reference for GratitudeSometimes, I see people who don’t seem happy with what they have. The strange upside of having gone through rough times is that it gives you a frame of reference. It reminds me to be grateful for the roof over our heads, my husband sitting playing video games with our two cats in his lap, my healthy, happy daughter, and an ongoing stream of new challenges and adventures. I’m grateful for being active, able-bodied, and having a strong sense of well-being. I am grateful for heat in the winter, air conditioning in the summer, and all the machines that do my housework. I treasure mother/daughter movie night, trips to the skating rink, and building relationships with new friends and colleagues. I value my roller derby skates, my outside roller skates, and my inline skates. I appreciate my cats, Zippy and Meathook, and the combination of disdain and affection they have for me. I am genuinely grateful for it all. Groundhog Day is my annual reminder to remember all these things. Learn Moreby Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Adding Value Through CommunicationIt’s amazing how much of the job search process involves waiting to hear back and trying to communicate with the hiring team in a way that adds value. One easy way to further strengthen your relationship with the hiring team is by sending a thank you note. While you could send an actual paper thank you note, in an environment with predominantly virtual interactions, I usually opt for a thank you email message. But Why?During the interview process, your main goal is to position yourself as someone who would be a good direct report for the hiring manager and an awesome team member for your future coworkers. One easy way to be more likeable is to be grateful and appreciative of people and their time. Sending a thank you email is a great way to do just that. Thank You Message BasicsSending a thank you message is another chance for your interviewers to see your name and have a positive experience with you. Who doesn’t like to be thanked for doing a thing? Here are key details to include in your post-interview thank you message:
Here’s the core content to include in a thank you message: Hi, Peter. Thanks so much for meeting with me earlier this week to discuss the Super Cool Support Manager position with Best Company Ever. It was great getting a chance to talk with you, Paul, and Mary about the support team and this opportunity. I am definitely interested in learning even more about role. If you have additional questions for me, feel free to reach out to me via email at myemail@gmail.com or via text/phone at 555-555-5555. Thanks again! --Brenda Next Level Thank You Message MagicIn addition to the basic message, without writing a full-on manifesto, take the time to add a little more relevant information. This is a great opportunity to add additional details and even more value to the interaction. This will also help make you more memorable. Here are a few suggested points to cover:
Here's what the message to the hiring manager might look like: Hi, Peter. Thanks so much for meeting with me earlier this week to discuss the Super Cool Support Manager position with Best Company Ever. It was great getting a chance to talk with you, Paul, and Mary about the support team and this opportunity. It was great learning about your new knowledge base and help desk ticket prioritization model. I’m excited to join an organization with a commitment to documentation and continuous process improvement. As we discussed, here are a few relevant skills I bring to the table:
In addition, here is the link to that article I mentioned entitled “18 Knowledge Base Examples That Get It Right." Chapter 9 in this article covers some of the metrics we were discussing: https://www.helpscout.com/helpu/knowledge-base-examples/ If you have additional questions for me, feel free to reach out to me via email at myemail@gmail.com or via text/phone at 555-555-5555. It was great getting a chance to talk with you—and I hope you have a great time on your fly fishing trip this weekend! --Brenda Here's what a message to one of your future coworkers, Mary, might look like: Hi, Mary. It was great meeting you earlier this week to discuss the Super Cool Support Manager position with Best Company Ever. I enjoyed talking with you, Paul, and Peter about the support team and this opportunity. I think my past experience working at Not Quite As Cool Company will help me add value to the team. I also hope you have fun on your upcoming trip to Minneapolis. As a fellow coffee lover, I suggest you stop at Dogwood Coffee Company. It’s honestly the best cup of coffee I’ve ever had and well worth the trip. It sounds like you’ll be staying not too far from their Northeast location. Here’s where that is at: https://www.dogwoodcoffee.com/pages/locations If you have additional questions for me (professional or coffee related), feel free to reach out to me via email at myemail@gmail.com or via text/phone at 555-555-5555. Thanks again! --Brenda Thank You Note TimingI used to quickly send thank you messages right after I completed an interview. That way, the message would arrive in each person's inbox within a half hour after our conversation. Now, I tend to wait at least until the next day, or even two days, in order to send the thank you. This puts time between our initial conversation and when they get this "remember me--I exist and I'm awesome" message. Much like commercials, ads or billboards remind you of the existence of a product or service you might want, I used my thank you messages as a second touchpoint with that person. Learn Moreby Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Hooray! You Have an Interview!After goodness knows how many applications, FINALLY, you have heard back from a company who wants to talk with you! There is hope after all! Welcome to what is often step one of the interview process: the phone screen. Remember, each company may handle their interview process just a little differently. Regardless, some version of a phone screen is the starting point. A phone screen can be anywhere from the basic 30-minute voice only call where they make sure you can speak coherently and understand what you applied for all the way up to a full blown deep dive into your resume. Typically, you'll be speaking with a recruiter, not the hiring manager, at this point in the process. In this article, we'll talk about the more basic initial phone screen, how to prepare, and typical questions asked. ...And So It Begins: Email or Voice Mail From a RecruiterIn many cases, a recruiter will reach out to you directly to schedule a phone screen through email. Many companies are using a scheduling program (like Calendly) so you can select a time that works for you. If this is the case, I would suggest taking a slot as soon as you can get in and comfortably complete the interview. For me, that would be the next day if possible. In other cases, you may receive a phone call from a recruiter that invites a call back. In these cases, they may be asking to schedule a phone interview with you, or they may just launch right into it in that phone screen while they have you on a call. Personally, I'll usually do my interview preparation before making that initial phone call back to the recruiter just in case they want to do it right then and there. Interview Prep: QuestionsDon't let the supposed informality of a phone call fool you. This is for reals an interview. You need to be ready to make a good impression and answer key questions. Here are the phone screen interview questions that you for sure need to be prepared to answer. Keep these in mind as you research the role, the company, and your interviewer. (We'll talk more about answering these questions well in a bit.) Here are the most common questions I have experienced in a phone screen:
Interview Prep: The RoleGiven that you may have applied for many, many jobs since the one for which you are interviewing, it's important to refamiliarize yourself with this role. Make sure that when you speak to your interviewer, you are positioning yourself as a strong candidate who is able to do (and wants to do) this specific job.
Interview Prep: The Company and Your InterviewerNow that you remember what the role is about, take time to learn more about the company. Remember, you're learning information that will help you present yourself well, answer questions about the company and what they do, and even know about current initiatives and news about the organization.
Interview Prep: Your AnswersNow, back to those questions and strategies for answering each one. Is this still a good time for us to talk? Ideally, the answer is yes. This is a courtesy question recruiters often ask. Tell me about yourself. This is your opportunity to tell the recruiter a quick summary of your professional history and the unique knowledge, skills, and attitudes you bring to this role.
Why are you looking for a new job? Companies are interested in why you want to make a change. They may also be leery if they perceive that you have made many changes within a short period of time. They may be wondering if how they are promoting the position works. They may just want to see if you trash your previous/current employer or if you're respectful. Again, be truthful, stay positive, and keep it short.
Why are you interested in this role? Companies often want to make sure you actually want the position they have available, not just any old job. Speaking to why you want to work in this particular role is a way to show you are being intentional about your next career move. This question also gives you a chance to talk about who you are, what you know about the role, and the skills you bring.
What do you know about our company? Each company has its own personality. This question helps show that you, as an job candidate, might be a good fit for the organization, and that you've taken the time to learn a little more.
What is your desired salary? While having salary ranges in job descriptions is becoming more common, it is not included in all job descriptions. Often, this is a question that comes up very early in the process. It's important for you to have a sense of what your desired range is as well as what is a typical range for the type of role for which you are interviewing.
What questions do you have for me? This is your opportunity to ask questions. Given that you have a job description and not much else about this role at this point, take time to think about questions to ask. There are also countless lists online of possible questions to ask. Google them and see which ones seem right for you. Remember, too, that some of these questions might be more appropriate for the hiring manager rather than the recruiter. (If you continue in the hiring process, you'll meet with the hiring manager soon.)
Learn Moreby Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Learning About YourselfThe first step of job searching is figuring out what kind of a role you even want. Instead of jumping right into the exact job you did before, it's wise to take a little time for introspection. One good step in this process is finding out more about your strengths. Learning about what you are good at--and how to tell the story of your talents and successes--can help you position yourself well as you apply and interview for a new role. People Are Good at Different ThingsIf you ask many people what they are good at, they would have a hard time putting their natural abilities into words. Personally, taking the StrengthsFinder assessment was a great starting point for me to have a better understanding of what I do well. Oftentimes, individuals are blind to their own unique talents. In the past, I think I have wrongly assumed that EVERYONE does the things I do. Like (of course) everyone takes notes regularly in everyday conversations when they learn something--and (of course) everyone makes a seating chart whenever they are in a group of new people to remember names. Turns out--NOPE! These are things I did that not everyone does. This was a huge breakthrough for me. So how do you figure out what you do that maybe not everyone does? Part of the Answer: StrengthsFinder/CliftonStrengths AssessmentThe CliftonStrengths Assessment (previously known as Clifton StrengthsFinder) is a wonderful tool for identifying what you are good at, how that manifests, and how your version of each strength shows up. The 30-minute online assessment includes 177 questions including paired statements. On a scale you select which of the statements is more like you. From there, you'll receive a report identifying your top five strengths along with a more detailed description of how those strengths are exhibited in how you interact with the world. Reading a report about yourself (one that is freakishly accurate, by the way) is downright life changing. After taking the assessment, you'll be able to see your unique talents, and have language to explain how what you do sets you apart from others. Having a way to put your abilities into words can translate directly into your resume, and how you talk about who you are and what you bring to the table. My Strengths and How They Show UpMy identified strengths, in order, are Strategic, Learner, Individualization, Achiever, and Relator. Here are a few things I learned from my report.
Additional Strategies for Identifying Strengths and TalentsHere are a few other strategies for identifying what you're good at, and how you show up in the world:
Learn Moreby Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady A Harsh Truth About Job SearchingJob searching is hard. One of the things that makes it particularly hard is that you can't actually control when you will get a new job. The whole process takes as long as it takes. To make all of that waiting bearable, it's helpful to focus on the aspects of your job search you are able to control. Measuring SuccessMy "day job" is working in the field of learning and development. One of my goals is to make sure that the performance support initiatives I'm designing (aka a class, a handout, a video) actually helps solve a problem in a way that can be quantified. There are two kinds of indicators to help measure success: leading indicators and lagging indicators. Lagging indicators are what we all typically want to focus on. If I'm delivering a training session for salespeople on how they can sell a given product, the lagging indicator after training would be that they sold more of the product than they did before training, and that more people spent more money on that given product--ideally being able to state who did what using dollar amount or percentage of improvement. One trick, though, is that I can't really control how salespeople use the information presented in training or that individuals want or need to purchase the product. They are also lagging indicators because it just takes a bit for those results to show up. However, this is what success is supposed to look like. Conversely, leading indicators are where it's more helpful to focus. These are the easily measurable, countable, check-off-able items that are predominantly within your control. For this example, my leading indicators of success would be that we held a training session, having a list of who attended the training session, how they performed on an assessment on the content covered, and that they received a job aid that contained talking points on the content covered. I am able to control all of these things. These leading indicators don't necessarily guarantee I'll achieve my lagging indicators, but they show that I'm going in the right direction and help position those salespeople to achieve the sales numbers we hope to see. Job Search: Lagging IndicatorsWithin the context of my job search, here are the tangible markers of success that I want to see:
All of these are lagging indicators. They are awesome because when they happen, they are definitive and you know you have made legitimate progress towards getting a job. The trick is that a lot of these things happening at all--and what the timing might look like--is out of your control. Ways to Achieve the Bigger GoalWhile I can't directly make those lagging indicators happen, I can focus on strategies to position myself for more success in those areas, including the following:
Job Search: Leading Indicators.Now, to turn those squishier ideas into leading indicators (which are specific, countable, check-off-able things I can put on a todo list), here are items I can actually do in a given week:
Having this list of tangible actions to take keeps me on track to achieve my goal of starting a new job. Keep On Doing The Right ThingsSome weeks, you do a lot of waiting, which makes you feel like you are terrible at everything and will never work again. Other weeks, people seem to be falling all over themselves to talk with you about yet another amazing job opportunity. Those weeks, you feel like this is all easy and you can do no wrong. During those slow weeks, it's helpful to remember to keep on doing those right things. Fine tune as needed, and just know that your best strategy is to keep on keeping on. Put in the work, then trust the process. Learn Moreby Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady So Much To DoAs our lives get busy and we feel like we're not accomplishing as much as we should be. Even if you're someone who makes a todo list, too often I think we quickly forget about all of those things that are done and focus only on what else we should accomplished as well. This is a great way to bring yourself down. In life in general, and especially during a job search, it's easy to forget all the things we have accomplished. Especially during challenging times, it's important to make note of what is going well. Celebrating AccomplishmentsYour successes can be anything. They can be fun things you did, achievements, or accomplishments that made you let out an audible huge sigh of relieve that they were finally complete. It's really about acknowledging that you did so that you realize that you're not just sitting around NOT ACCOMPLISHING ANYTHING. Instead, it's a reminder of how amazing you are. Chances are, when you review your success list, you'll be reminder of even more things to add--and that's really the point. My Success List
Celebrating Successes Brings More SuccessIt's amazing, really. Creating a list of accomplishments, whether small, medium or large, helps so much. When I started, I had a hard time thinking of anything to write. Then, as I got going, it was hard to stop. Taking time regularly to acknowledge positive actions and accomplishments makes all the difference. What would you include in your success list? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Learn Moreby Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Learning About YourselfThe first step of job searching is figuring out what kind of a job you even want. Instead of jumping right into the exact job you did before, it's wise to take a step back and do some introspection. A good starting point is thinking about what you truly value in life, and how you express those values. The Question: What is Important to Me?Identifying what really matters to you is helpful whether you're thinking about how you spend your money, what kinds of activities appeal to you, who you want to spend time with, and (go figure) what kind of work you want to do. I also find that it's awfully hard tom think of the right words to articulate those high level ideas that matter to you. Part of the Answer: think2perform Online Values ExerciseI discovered the think2perform Online Values Exercise at a previous job when I was designing a retirement planning seminar for clergy. Since thinking about your money (or your work for that matter) starts with what you care about on a larger scale, this is a great starting point. Personally, I take this assessment on at least an annual basis because the process helps me revisit my values in general and helps me more thoughtfully talk about what I do and why I do it. The assessment itself includes 51 named value cards and 4 rounds of reviewing the cards. The total time to complete this activity is about 15 minutes, and perhaps more depending on how much contemplation you do during the process. You also have the option to add your own values as needed. In the end, you'll have 5 value cards with descriptions that name and describe key areas that matter to you. For me, as of the last time I completed this activity, my top 5 were (in no particular order) autonomy, education, helping others, health, and relationships. Applying Your Values to What You Want and How You Show UpWhen I think about the type of work, my desired way of working, and my work preferences, using my values as a starting point helps me articulate how I think about these things in a more meaningful way.
Learn Moreby Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady 'Tis The SeasonI'm currently working my way through layoff #7, which is also my fourth layoff in the late fall. Out of these fall layoffs, three of them went into the holidays. Being in job transition is rough. Being in job transition during the holidays—especially the week before Christmas through the new year—is soul sucking. I’ve read several of articles touting the benefits of job searching during the holidays--and I mean a lot, a lot of them. (No one else will be applying! You’ll get a leg up on other applicants! Tons of people are trying to fill positions before year's end!) I'm sure somebody somewhere found the role of a lifetime on the the day after Christmas interviewing with the one brand new HR rep with no vacation yet who was stuck working. I am not that person. I'm also not going to make the mistake of trying to be that person ever again. The Challenge of Job Searching Around the HolidaysEven in a fast-moving job market with ridiculously low unemployment, it takes a bit to find a job. Just given the linearity of time, there will be a gap between when you apply, interview, and get an offer you’d like to take. This process can feel like it takes an eternity when people at these potential employers are focused on working. During December, with people taking time off for all things holiday, finding gainful employment moves even more slowly. Take a break and let yourself move more slowly, and deliberately, too. My last winter job transition (layoff #5) lasted 5 months. By far, the most frustrating period was a couple of weeks after Thanksgiving until the end of the year. Without a doubt, the last two weeks of December were the absolute worst. In short, nothing came from my job searching at that time. I was either submitting applications to jobs that no one was going to pay much attention to for a couple of weeks, following up with employers who had other priorities, or bothering former colleagues for recommendations when they were in the throws of their kid's holiday programs and family get-togethers. The job search picked up again the second week in January when people had their heads back in the game at work. Take Time for Self CareHere is my advice to job seekers at the end of the year. Take a holiday break. Go do things you’d like to do when you’re gainfully employed, but that are harder to find time to do. Go to a noon yoga class. Get together with friends for lunch. Read a novel with no obvious professional development benefit. Go to a matinee. Visit a museum. Take road trip. Walk around the mall on a weekday. Buy fancy coffee in a café and people watch. Take some time for you. Take a break from pounding pavement on your job search and just breathe. I guarantee you'll feel better from giving yourself a reprieve. Just like we all need vacation time to recuperate from our day jobs and be able to do good work, we also need to take a break from a job search so we can have the mental space to regroup. Take a couple of weeks off—like the week before and the week after Christmas—and reset. You’re future self will thank you for this act of self care. Learn Moreby Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Don't Go It AloneLife is challenging when nothing in particular is happening. When you're going through a job change (especially one you didn't plan), it's even harder. While I'm a fan of self reliance, I also know the value of not just finding people who want to support you, but letting them support you--and even proactively asking them--when you need it. You're not weak for needing people. Your smart for planning ahead for what you will need. You Need Help Because This is HardI have been through a post-layoff job transition 7 times, and it is difficult each and every time. There is the fear that it will just never end and you'll be drifting for eternity trying to find paid work where you can pay your bills--much less an a job you want. You worry that you'll have to settle for something that may be even worse than the worst job you've ever had. Even worse, you worry that you'll run out of money and not be able to pay your bills and lose everything you own and everything you've ever loved. While your rational mind knows this is all pretty unlikely, there will be moments when it all seems hopeless. That's where your support network comes in. No matter how resilient and downright badass you are, doing this alone makes it way harder. People Want to Help You: Make Sure to Let ThemAs an extra added bonus, people want to help you! For reals! I'm always inspired by people who come out of the woodwork to check on me, tell me about an open position, thank me for helping them once upon a time, of offering to refer me for a role. Everyone has struggled with something at one time or another, and someone has helped them. Let other people help you. Now, it's time to think about what you might need, and who might be well positioned to help you with those things. Building Your TeamIt also takes a village to get you through career transition. Relying on one person for everything is all kinds of stressful. Know that people want to help, and it's a matter of figuring out what you need, letting people know, and reaching out to people when you need it. Going through a job search is challenging even in the best of circumstances. If you're starting from a layoff (especially the part where someone else got to make a big, uninvited life decision for you) it can be even more challenging. Types of Help You NeedHere's a starter list of the types of help you may need during your job transition. More specifically, here is some of what I needed. Use this as a starting point and add details as it helps you:
Who Can HelpWhen it comes to help, I start with my inner circle--close friends and family. I'm also sure to widen my support team beyond them, too. I also move beyond that immediate group. I interact with my LinkedIn connections. I tap into online groups including job search groups, The White Box Club, and even LinkedIn groups focusing on networking or a content area (like sales enablement). I interact with in-person membership groups like ATD or the Omaha OD Network. Or I seek out non-work connections through social Meetup groups or activities. Sometimes, I just spend time in coffee shops to indirectly interact with other people. It's a matter of figuring out what you need and seeking that out. Asking for HelpKnow, too, that there will be times when you need to straight up reach out to someone because you need help. Each person will have their areas of interest and expertise, so be sure to keep that in mind when asking for help. I find that it's helpful to think through who you might reach out to for different needs. Here are a few cases where I reach out to different people to ask for help:
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