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Self Care: Your Basic Daily Task List

5/20/2025

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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

Job Searching: The Good Days​

Some days will be amazing. Within a half hour of waking up, you receive an invitation to do a phone screen, notice another hiring manager accepted your LinkedIn connection request, and receive a message from a recruiter for a role that looks promising. Everything is going great for you. Hearing that good news fills you with hope about the future. You feel appreciated, valued, and worthwhile.

​Soon, you’re updating your budget, making that overdue phone call, and cleaning your whole kitchen. You use that extra burst of energy to start preparing for tomorrow’s phone screen. Today, you are productivity personified.

Job Searching: The Not-So-Good Days

Then there are the other days. You check your email and read, “We will not be moving forward with your application,” then move on to “We regret to inform you,” then finish up with, “This position is no longer available.” You’re not even out of bed, and you already heard you weren’t good enough for three jobs you really wanted.

Now, all that good news from the previous day seems irrelevant. Your email has become a scary place where everyone is mean. You hop onto LinkedIn to look for new jobs. While looking at job listings, you fixate on the one or two preferred qualifications you don’t have. You start to customize a resume for one job, then stare at your screen, trying to figure out why anyone would bother hiring you. Now, you're not going to have it in you to be a high achiever. 

Struggling to Succeed

After a three-rejection morning, you may feel like a failure, and everything is hopeless. Despite how it feels right then, you are not lazy, a loser, or a failure. Instead, you have probably been going too hard for too long and have little to show for it yet. 

In addition, you have probably been relying on the overly simplistic getting-things-done strategies people often bluster about. If your only plan for success involves hammering away, powering through, or pulling yourself up by your bootstraps, you will have problems. It’s an excellent time to remind yourself that bucking/soldiering/cowboying up is not a long-term sustainable strategy. It is a short-term fix you can use occasionally when you have no other options. Making that once-in-a-while solution your go-to move will leave you irritable, burned out, and feeling like the failure you most certainly are not.

Sustainability and Your Career Transition

Yes, you are trying to find a job. Yes, you are trying to keep your finances in check. You also need to be able to continue to keep going sustainably so you can persevere as long as your career transition requires. You won’t be able to push yourself beyond your limits consistently for very long. Given that many job searches last between a few weeks and several months, you will need to find a way to sustain the effort you’ll need to achieve your job search goals. 

Your Basic Self Care Daily Task List

There is an art to writing a helpful task list. This basic self-care list includes items that are valuable, easy to achieve, and can be checked off definitely. You can also update these lists to reflect what makes the most sense to you in your life. This is not your "I have accomplished miracles" list. Instead, this is your "I did the basic things I need to stay well so I can prioritize to keep going" list. 

Morning
  • Brush teeth.
  • Take vitamins/medication.
  • Shower.
  • Drink a glass of water.

Afternoon
  • Eat lunch, including a fruit or vegetable.
  • Drink a glass of water.
  • Move for 30 minutes.
  • Go outside for 10 minutes.

Evening
  • Eat dinner, including a fruit or vegetable. 
  • Drink a glass of water.
  • Stretch for 10 minutes.
  • Brush your teeth.

Modifying The List

This is a good starting point for a basic self-care list. If moving for 30 minutes is too much for you right now, make it 10. If making your bed helps you feel better, consider adding that to your morning list. If you do a load of laundry daily and put it away, fit that in where it makes sense. If you take your vitamins before bed, do that.

​Do what you need to to do make it yours. This basic self-care list will help you feel better on your hardest days. On an easier day, you'll breeze through these items with no problem and move on to conquering the world.

Learn More

  • The Layoff Lady: Five Reasons Why Career Transition is Hard
  • The Layoff Lady: Creating Your Career Transition Support Team
  • ​The Layoff Lady's Ultimate Guide To Answering The Question, "I Just Got Laid Off--Now What Do I Do?"​
  • The Layoff Lady Book: Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide​​​​
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Creating Your Career Transition Support Team

5/6/2025

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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

Don't Go It Alone

Life 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 finding people who want to support you and letting them do it. You're not weak for needing people. You are smart for planning ahead for what you will need.

You Need Help Because This is Hard

I 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 in 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. You also worry that you'll run out of money and not be able to pay your bills and lose everything you own and everyone you've ever loved. While your rational mind knows this is all pretty unlikely, there will be moments when everything 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 Them

As an extra added bonus, people want to help you! I'm always inspired by all the people who came out of the woodwork to check on me, told me about an open position, thanked me for helping them once upon a time, or offered 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. 

Building Your Team

It also takes a village to get you through a 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 as needed. Going through a job search is challenging, even in the best of circumstances.

Types of Help You Need

Here'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:
​
  • ​Emotional Support: You'll have all the feelings. Figure out who you can talk to about what. Sometimes you'll laugh, sometimes you'll cry, sometimes you'll vent, and on the most trying days, maybe all of the above. 
  • Communication: Just telling people what is up can be draining--because people. Realize, too, that your telling them about your situation may result in them inadvertently trying to allay their fears that the same thing will happen to them. Find a friend who can help you spread whatever news there is to convey. Telephone. Telegraph. Tell a Karla. Find those people who love to connect with others (and even share some of the same social circles) and enlist their help.  
  • Sounding Board: When you're making big decisions--or doing something you don't do very often, having someone to talk things through will is mission critical. Personally, I don't even always need my sounding board people to say much--just to sit there and listen (or at least just not talk over me) as I talk myself into or out of the idea I'm considering. There is so much value to writing or talking through ideas as you choose your next steps.
  • Logistical Support: Sometimes, you'll need a hand figuring things out. Maybe it's having someone to watch your kids for a bit so you can have a phone interview. Perhaps it's help with a ride if you're having car trouble. Whatever it is, it may seem small to them, but it'll solve a problem for you. 
  • Fun: There will be many, many times when you just need a distraction. Watching a movie. Having coffee. Talking about non-job search related things. Having a conversation where you don't have to be "on" and can just chat with someone. It doesn't have to be elaborate. It just has to be a welcome break from all those "shoulds" to be something other than a job-searching human.
  • Cheerleader: You also need someone to give you a pep talk. Whether it's someone who'll send you a quick "You've got this!" text or someone to remind you to take a deep breath and tell them your remarkable story, remember that encouragement is essential. They can also help you celebrate successes and remind you of your innate value when you're struggling.
  • Accountability: You'll also need someone to help you keep on track. It may be as easy as them asking if you applied for that job you talked about. Or asking you if you updated your resume like you said you would do.­­­ Create the positive peer pressure to help you follow through on what you need to do.
  • New Ideas: There is a certain amount of trial and error when looking for a new job. Whether it's optimizing LinkedIn, figuring out how to network with new people, finding the best way to position your work experience, or where to find jobs, there's a lot to learn. Whether you tap into someone who works in that industry, or a hiring manager, or a resume writer, figuring out how to be a more effective job searcher is useful. 
  • Connectors: Each of us has people in our lives who seem to know all the things and/or all the people. Let them help you connect with the right person, opportunity, or idea at the right time.

Who Can Help

When 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 finding a person to help.

Asking for Help

Know, 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.

It's helpful to consider who you might contact for different needs. Here are a few cases when I was job searching and I reached out to people to ask for help:
​
  • Before a job interview, I would text my daughter to let her know I had an interview. She woudl then text back encouraging words and follow up afterwards to see how it all went. 
  • If I need non-job search social interaction, I'd reach out to my former "lunch ladies" coworkers with a link to my Calendly and ask if they're up for a catch-up conversation (then they would pick a time for us to chat.)
  • If was having a rough day, I'll reach out to my best friend to talk a bit. 
  • If was unsure if my resume was clear, I'll contact a former coworker to give it a look and make suggestions on what I could do better.
  • If I wanted to talk shop but not directly job searching, I'd contact a LinkedIn connection I hadn't chatted with in a while and see if they were up for a virtual coffee meeting. I got to have a fulfilling interaction with another person and glean a few professional insights, too. 

Learn More

  • ​The White Box Club​ on Meetup
  • The Layoff Lady's Ultimate Guide To Answering The Question, "I Just Got Laid Off--Now What Do I Do?"​
  • The Layoff Lady Book: Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide​
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Managing Your Money: Layoff Survival Budget Goals and Managing Expenses

4/22/2025

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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

Post-Layoff Changes

When your “day job ends,” many things in your financial life change. For one, what is for many people their primary source of income, ends. This often prompts a quick shift to a short-term "survival" mindset that will last from the layoff event until the first paycheck from that new job arrives. 

Let's talk about your new financial goals and how to manage expenses.   

Disclaimer: (You know there has to be one of these now that we're talking about topics like personal finances and health insurance.)

While I know quite a bit based on my previous work experience supporting financial coaches, my own research, and my personal life experiences, I do not currently hold a license or certification to give financial advice. Therefore, the information provided here is educational information provided as guidance.

I hope you can glean value from my lessons learned. Feel free to take my recommendations or not—but whatever you do, double-check my facts (and everyone's facts, for that matter). This is your life, and you will care more about your finances and health care than anyone else. With that, read on. 

Employed Financial Goals

When gainfully employed, your household financial goals may look like this: 
​
  • Pay monthly bills on time and in full.
  • Spend money on things that you need and enjoy.
  • Save in a Health Savings Account (HSA).
  • Save for retirement.
  • Pay down debt.
  • Give to causes you care about.
  • Save for short and long-term goals. 

Typically, goals include living within your means and spending/saving/giving money in line with your values and financial priorities. When things are going "as normal," you probably have the capacity to think about current activities and consider what is possible in the future.

Layoff Financial Goals

During a career transition, financial priorities shift from being proactive to focusing on the here and now. The goal is to get through the next one to six months with as few adverse effects as possible. Here are my recommendations for crucial goals to keep in mind during a period of reduced income and job transition: 
​
  • Pay monthly bills on time and in full (or make other arrangements).
  • Prioritize money on things that you need in the short term.
  • Find ways to enjoy your life that have a smaller price tag.
  • Minimize and delay expenses.
  • Preserve your credit score.
  • Tap savings as needed. 
  • Minimize the amount of debt incurred.

​While navigating post-layoff unemployment, the goal is to make it through with as few bumps and bruises as possible. Instead of trying to pay off a previous purchase or save for a goal, you will probably leave any “extra” money in your checking account just in case. 

Paring Down Expenses

This is also a good time to see what expenses you can pare down in the short term to ensure that the money you do have lasts a little longer. Here are a few ideas:
​
  • Review monthly bills and see what you can minimize, stop for a while, find a better deal, or delay.  
  • Plan meals and buy groceries more mindfully to minimize waste.
  • Make fewer restaurant trips and do more cooking at home.
  • Meet people more often for coffee or a drink than dinner.
  • Cut back on subscriptions (tv, music, audiobooks).
  • Do more outdoor activities and YouTube exercise videos, and fewer gyms and in-person classes.
  • Take fewer flying vacations and more day drives to local destinations or overnight trips to stay with friends and family. 

Prioritizing Expenses

Here is a recommendation for prioritizing which bills you pay when money is tight:
  • Rent or mortgage payments
  • Transportation
  • Phone
  • Utilities: electricity, gas, heat
  • Food (which is lower on the list because food help is more readily available)
  • Minimum payments on debt

What To Do If You Can't Pay

If you can’t pay your bills, call the company and discuss how to make arrangements. Instead of just plain NOT paying a bill, make a phone call. I know this can be hard and humbling, but it is important to figure out a plan. Remember, you're not the first person to be in a position where they had an unexpected job loss and needed to figure out alternatives. It is also to the company's advantage to work with you. It's in the company's interest to help you stay on track as a customer than for them to spend the time and staffing on repossessing items or turning off and on utilities. Help them help you.

Making this call also helps minimize damage to your credit score (which could even impact your ability to find work sometimes). Be sure to call right away when you start to have issues instead of waiting until you have a lot of issues. I encourage you to call when you worry abouat having a hard time making one mortgage payment instead of waiting until you are months behind. Remember, though, even if you have waited, MAKE THAT CALL! 

When working with a company on making payment arrangements, you may be able to defer payments, figure out a payment plan, take advantage of a company-sponsored program, or find a government-sponsored program to help you during a hard time. County, faith-based organizations, and non-profits may be able to help you, too. Whether you need help paying for gas, food, transportation, or utilities, make sure to use the available resources.

Learn More

  • myFico.com: What’s in my FICO score? 
  • ​ConsumerFinance.gov: What To Do If You Can’t Pay Your Bills 
  • The Layoff Lady: Managing Your Money - Layoff Survival Budget Sources of Income
  • The Layoff Lady's Ultimate Guide To Answering The Question, "I Just Got Laid Off--Now What Do I Do?"​
  • The Layoff Lady Book: Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide​
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Job Search Challenges: Not Getting Phone Screens

3/18/2025

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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

Interview Progression Issues

After you apply for a job, your goal is to be selected for an interview. That process usually includes an initial phone screen, one or more face-to-face interviews, then a job offer.

As you progress in your job search, it's important to take time on a regular basis to evaluate what you are doing and see if you need to modify your approach. Let's look at possible ways to proceed if you are not receiving callbacks from employers for initial phone screens.

No Initial Interview Invitations

I’ve seen variations on the following LinkedIn post way too many times: “I’ve applied for 300 jobs over the last six months, and I have only gotten a couple of interviews.” Realize you won’t get a phone screen for every job application you submit, but you should be getting some. If you apply for even 20 jobs and don’t hear anything back from any of them, it’s time to reassess and figure out what you need to change to have more success. 

The first huge step in job searching is getting out of the virtual pile of job applications and into the much more selective “we gotta talk to this one” pile. Taking these steps can help.

Step 1: Identify Your Target Job

Often, people who struggle with getting job interviews need to revisit what they want in a job and target their job search toward that goal. Unfortunately, while applying for as many jobs as possible seems logical, it often backfires. ​Instead, job seekers who identify what they really want, then apply for those roles more closely matching their interests and qualifications get hired sooner. 

Step 2: Realign Goals and Messaging

Another problem shared by people who struggle with job searching is not talking about what they want, their work experience, and their most relevant qualifications. Ensure your resume has a strong Professional Summary highlighting the type of role desired and your value to your target role. 

Step 3: Focus on Fewer Applications

How many applications should you do in a given week? Applying for 300 jobs over six months (26 weeks) is an average of 11.5 applications per week. That is A LOT. When I’m job searching, my weekly goal is three applications per week, and I could submit as many as six per week if I’m driven to apply for a few more roles that look promising. By focusing on fewer job applications, I increase my quality instead of relying too heavily on quantity. 

Step 4: Customize your Resume for Each Application

When I decide to apply for a role, I take 15-30 minutes per application to customize my resume. Taking this extra time to update my language helps potential employers understand how my skill set aligns directly with what they are looking for in a candidate. Ensuring the right keywords are present for an Automated Tracking System (ATS) and for the recruiter who initially reviews each resume will give you a better chance of being selected for a phone screen.

To make these updates efficiently and effectively, I focus on two sections: Professional Summary and Skills & Competencies. Check out the Learn More section for additional information on strategies for customizing your resume. 

Learn More

  • The Layoff Lady: Prioritizing Job Applications
  • The Layoff Lady: Career Planning - Figuring Out What You Want To Be Next ​
  • The LayoffLady: Customizing Your Resume for Each Job Application
  • ​​The Layoff Lady's Ultimate Guide To Answering The Question, "I Just Got Laid Off--Now What Do I Do?"​
  • The Layoff Lady Book: Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide​​​
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Managing Your Money: Layoff Survival Budget Healthcare

2/25/2025

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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

Post-Layoff Challenges 

When your “day job ends”, many things in your financial life change. For one, what is for many people their core source of income, ends. This often prompts a quick shift to a short-term survival mindset that will last from the layoff event until the first paycheck from that new job arrives. 

Let's talk about how to manage your healthcare during this time.  Note that I’ll outline options first, and then you can review all of the links at the end of this article for additional information. Brace yourself—there is a lot going on here.

Disclaimer: (You know there has to be one of these now that we're talking about topics like personal finances and health insurance.)

While I know quite a bit based on my previous work experience supporting financial coaches, my own research, and my personal life experiences, I do not currently hold a license or certification to give financial advice. The information provided here is educational information provided as guidance.

I hope you glean value from my lessons learned. Feel free to take my recommendations or not—but whatever you do, double-check my facts (and everyone's facts, for that matter). This is your life, and you will care more about your finances and health care than anyone else does. With that, read on. ​

Healthcare  Coverage While Employed

​In the United States, where health insurance for many people is part of an employer-provided benefits package, thinking through the health insurance implications of a job change is critically important. While working, you have limited health care coverage options through your employer. You make your selection when you first start, and after that, once a year. In most cases, your employer pays for part of it, facilitates the payment for your health care coverage, and even allows you to set up and use a Health Savings Account (HSA) as a separate benefit. 

Healthcare Coverage Options After a Layoff

After you are laid off, your former employer will let you know when your benefits end. It may be as soon as your separation date, the end of the calendar month, or some other date altogether depending on your organization. If you have the time and ability to do so, it may be a good idea to fit in any doctor's appointments you have been putting off while you still have coverage. 

Once your employer-sponsored coverage ends, there are many options for healthcare coverage. You'll also need to take steps to enroll in whatever coverage you choose. Most of these options have an associated monthly premium, and some are more cost-effective than others. Here are a few possibilities for your consideration.

Your Severance Package and Continued Benefits

If you do receive a sewerage package, you may also receive continued healthcare coverage for a specified period of time. ​You may get health care coverage included for a bit. This could be the company paying for the benefits you had before, or an amount of money that is earmarked to pay for healthcare coverage. These are two very different propositions.

If the company continues to pay for your health benefits, your coverage will work as before with your same coverage levels and networks. However, if you receive money to pay for health care coverage, you will need to decide what to purchase, enroll, then pay for it as billed. 

COBRA Continuation Coverage

COBRA stands for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. In short, this provision allows former employees to pay the total cost of their formerly work-sponsored health insurance on their own. If you choose this option, you can keep this coverage for up to 18 or 36 months. As part of your layoff paperwork, your now former company will send you information about the logistics and cost of keeping this coverage and let you know your deadline for signing up (which is typically 60 days).

The good news? You can keep your same coverage. The bad news? The cost may knock you back. Now, you'll pay the total price for your coverage instead of your employer helping offset the cause. For example, while working, you may have spent $500 a month for your family’s healthcare coverage, and with COBRA,  you will now likely pay thousands of dollars a month for that same coverage. 

A Dependent on Someone Else's Employer Plan

Depending on your age and personal situation, you may have the option to be added to someone else’s employer-sponsored healthcare coverage. Here are two common scenarios: 
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  • If you are 26 years old or younger, you may be eligible to be added to a parent’s healthcare coverage through their employer.
  • If you have a spouse or domestic partner, you may be eligible to be added to their coverage through their employer. Some plans might strictly add legal spouses, while others may have less stringent requirements.

In general, if your former employer’s plan covered you, your family member's plan will allow you to enroll in their plan, even mid-year. Be sure to check with your family member's employer to see if being added to their plan is a good option for you. 

Remember, if you are added to your family member's health insurance plan, the additional costs for whoever is footing the bill can vary from “no big deal” to “holy crap, that’s an extra [whole lotta money] a paycheck!” 

Healthcare.gov: The Marketplace

Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA—also nicknamed “Obamacare”), additional healthcare coverage options have been available outside employer-sponsored coverage. To find out what health insurance options are available, your eligibility, and any amount of help (in the form of a subsidy) you might qualify for, check out Healthcare.gov, also referred to as “The Marketplace.” Alternatively, some states have their own healthcare-specific website, like MNsure.gov in Minnesota. Regardless of if your state uses the national site or their own, this is the go-to place to find out about possible healthcare options that comply with ACA standards, meaning that they include a base level of coverage (like preventative health screenings, emergency services, pregnancy, etc.).  
 
Many of these plans are High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP), and the higher the deductible, the lower your monthly premium, but the higher the possible out-of-pocket expense you will have. As with other high deductible plans, you can save money in a separate Health Savings Account (HSA) to help cover those expenses. However, Healthcare.gov does not have the option to help you set up an HSA account, so you’ll have to seek that out elsewhere if you are interested in setting that up. 
​
One significant benefit of looking here is the possibility of getting a subsidy. A subsidy will help offset your healthcare cost and is usually applied before any premium you would need to pay every month. Typically, subsidies are calculated based on your projected income for the year, depend on how much money your household is bringing in, and may vary by state. You would need to enroll in an ACA plan within 60 days of being laid off.

Overall, Healthcare.gov can be a lot to juggle—but they do have help available in the form of agents, brokers, or assisters. 

Short Term Health Insurance

Short Term health insurance is just that—lower-cost insurance intended to help you bridge the gap between employer-sponsored coverage. Typically, these don’t have preventative benefits (like annual physicals or flu shots covered), but they are significantly less expensive. In addition, this kind of coverage ensures that if something big happens, like an accident where you end up in the hospital, you won’t go broke paying for all those costs.

For example, during one period of unemployment, I bought short-term health insurance coverage for my daughter (for a tumultuous month where for a moment, it looked like all of my daughter’s parental units would manage to be out of work all at once). It was under $100 and ensured she had at least some coverage as we figured out the details of her longer-term healthcare coverage. 

Other Options

There are several other options to help pay for healthcare costs varying from good ideas to decidedly bad ones. For example, you could buy a private health insurance plan, take part in Medicaid/Medical assistance based on your financial situation, explore a community health share program, visit community health centers, use telehealth, rely on Minute Clinic, use a healthcare-specific credit card, and/or use discount cards to minimize prescription costs. 

​When it comes down to it, consider the short and long-term implications of your healthcare coverage decisions (including the possible financial hardship of having a significant medical diagnosis or expense without being insured) before choosing your course of action.

Learn More

  • Healthcare.gov: If You Lose Job-Based Health Insurance 
  • US Department of Labor: COBRA Continuation Coverage
  • Healthcare.gov: What Marketplace Insurance Plans Cover
  • The Layoff Lady's Ultimate Guide To Answering The Question, "I Just Got Laid Off--Now What Do I Do?"​
  • The Layoff Lady Book: Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide​
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Layoff Lessons Learned: Insights from Layoff #4

2/4/2025

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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

A Note About The Numbers

Learning from experience can be one of the best ways to make needed changes. Learning from stories is another great way to glean valuable information. I invite you to review my lived experiences and see what insights resonate with you. 

As a bona fide Excel nerd, and meticulous planner, I kept detailed records on my job search journey from layoff #4 through finding a new role. Here are a few statistical highlights of what on earth I did with myself in the months between when my previous role ended and starting a new job. 

I’m including several numbers in this article. Keep in mind that while I pride myself in my ability to count and do basic math, I’m dealing with a very small sample size. This article can only barely be called “research” and is more appropriately described as me sharing my personal experience. With that disclaimer, on to the numbers!

How Long Will This Take: Job Search Length

  • ​Total days in job search: 140
  • Working days in job search (removing Saturdays, Sundays and major holidays): 93

Please Look At My Resume: Applications Submitted

  • Total number of applications submitted: 49
  • Number of applications where I had a professional connection within the company: 24 
  • Number of applications where I knew someone who knew someone within the company: 6
  • Number of applications prompted by a recruiter contacting me: 4
  • Number of applications where I had no professional connection within the company: 15
  • Hall of Fame: Most Life Affirming Message After Applying for a Job:
    ​
    Hi Brenda,

    Thank you so much for your interest in [Super Cool Company] and for taking the time to apply for the Product Training Manager position. We just wanted to let you know that we received your application, and that we're looking forward to reviewing it.

    Have a great day!

Now We're Talking: Interviews

  • Total number of interviews (phone, webinar and in-person): 45
  • Total number of companies who interviewed me: 20
  • Number of companies who interviewed me only once: 10
  • Number of companies who interviewed me multiple times: 10
  • Hall of Shame: Most Interviews for One Job Without Getting an Offer: 10

I Know People: Referrals and Getting an Interview

  • Likelihood of getting one interview if I had a professional connection at the company: 54%
  • Likelihood of having multiple interviews if I had a professional connection at the company: 33% 
  • Likelihood of getting one interview if I knew someone who knew someone at the company: 16%
  • Likelihood of getting one interview if I had no professional connection at the company: 13% 

I Will Never Work Again: Job Search Low Points

  • Number of automated job applications with no response at all: 14
  • Number of rejection emails received without any personal contact: 13
  • Positions filled with an internal candidate after I had interviewed: 3
  • Positions put on hold indefinitely after I was selected to interview: 3
  • Jobs where I withdrew (aka “The non-negotiable salary is half of your target salary.”): 1
  • Hall of Shame: Least Encouraging Automated Response After Applying for a Job

    We have received your application. The processing time for applications may in some instances be up to 4 weeks from the application deadline. We hope that you’ll be patient with us in the meantime.

    If you don't hear from us in 4 weeks, you will likely not be part of the selection process. When a position has been filled, all applicants will be notified.

    Kind regards
    ​
    The Recruiting Team

    (Please Note: This message was automatically generated. Please do not respond.)

Everything Works Out: Lessons Learned 

  • Remember, you only need one job. It helped me to keep this in mind. 
  • Use LinkedIn to find out who you know who works for a given company. 
  • If you have a professional connection at a company, ask for their help.  I had more success in getting interviews where I had a professional connection who could refer me in or vouch for me. 
  • Even if you don’t have a connection at a company, apply anyway.  Applying gives you a shot at getting the job, while not applying at all ensures that you won’t get the job.
  • Keep doing the right things. Sometimes, it feels like you network, and apply, and interview and still don't have success. Verify that you are for sure doing the right things, then keep doing them. Eventually something will pop.
  • Remember, you only need one job.

What Do You Think? 

What lessons have you learned from previous job searches? Share your best practices in the comments. 

Learn More 

  • The Layoff Lady's Ultimate Guide To Answering The Question, "I Just Got Laid Off--Now What Do I Do?"​
  • The Layoff Lady Book: Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide
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Layoff Lessons Learned: Insights from Layoff #5

1/28/2025

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By  Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

Surprise! It's Layoff #5!

Learning from experience can be one of the best ways to make needed changes. Learning from stories is another great way to glean valuable information. I invite you to review my lived experiences and see what insights resonate with you. 

In 2019, for the fifth time in my career, I found myself unexpectedly in a position where I needed to change jobs. The last time around, my position was suddenly eliminated on the day I returned from vacation. That was about two years before, and I was not expecting to have to do this again quite so soon. 

My Job Search Numbers

After this layoff, things moved a bit more quickly than they had during previous career transitions. Even so, Keep in mind, too, that about half of the jobs I applied for did not send me any response. In their defense, I was on and off the market pretty quickly. With that, here’s how this job search shaped up: 
​​
  • Total Length of Job Search: 47 days
  • Number of jobs applied for: 21
  • Jobs where I had an employee referral: 11
  • Total number of interviews (phone and in-person): 12
  • Total number of interviews for companies where I had a referral: 11
  • Total interviews for companies where I had no referral: 1
  • Total jobs where I had at least one interview: 8
  • Total positions for which I applied where I heard nothing at all back ever: 10
  • Total where I withdrew due to salary limitations: 4
  • Total where I received rejection emails: 4
  • Number of offers received: 2
  • Number of jobs accepted: 1

Differences From Previous Job Searches 

My job search after layoff #4 lasted 147 days. That's right. It was exactly 100 days longer. So what were the differences between these two job searches? What magic did I use this time around to land a great new position so quickly?

Time of Year

Fortunately (as I look at the bright side), I realized it was time to make a job change in late September. I’ve also found that being unemployed over the holidays nearly guarantees an extra month or two of job searching (or, more likely, waiting).

​My two previous job searches included the holiday season, lasting 180 and 147 days, respectively. This time around, when I estimated the possible length of my period of unemployment, I surmised that I would either secure a new position before Thanksgiving or I’d most likely be waiting to start a new role until February or March of the following year. Getting a jump start, even by a couple of weeks, made a big difference.

Position Availability

During layoff #1 and layoff #2, I lived in Madison, Wisconsin. While I love Madison as a city, as someone whose chosen profession is corporate training, I knew that I needed to move to a larger job market or consider doing something else for a living.

In the middle of layoff #2, I started targeting companies in Minneapolis and planning a move. Even with the challenge of relocating (and managing all of the other areas of my life that were in transition right then), finding a new job took under five months. Being in the greater Twin Cities area, even with me being more selective on where to apply, I still had a lot of options. 

I also learned to manage my job search anxiety by applying for additional positions each time I was concerned about not hearing back from one potential employer. Doing something that gave me a better chance of securing a new job felt much more productive than simply hoping that a particular role would work out.

Professional Network

I started using LinkedIn seriously in 2006, shortly after I started a new job. Since then, I’ve connected with coworkers, members of professional development organizations, colleagues with whom I’ve interacted, and pretty much anyone who I encountered and found interesting. I stay active on social media, share useful content, and attend industry meetings on a regular basis. Having this robust professional network and assisting individuals in my network when they are job searching or exploring new fields of interest has helped me immensely.

​When encountering a position that interested me, I immediately looked to my network to see who might be able to put in a good word for me and help me get pulled out of the initial pile of candidates. I have also had more than one “informal interview” with a possible referrer, so they feel comfortable recommending me for a position. Since people are putting their reputations on the line, I don’t take their assistance for granted.  ​

Strong Qualifications

During this job search, I was also clear on the roles that interested me. I also had relevant degrees, recent job titles well aligned with the roles I was applying for, and current industry knowledge. While having someone refer me for a position definitely helps, I also knew I still needed to be a well-qualified candidate. Those qualifications helped me get from a courtesy phone interview to being considered a viable candidate for an open role.

Pure Dumb Luck

There is a certain amount of planetary alignment that happens whenever something good manages to happen. In this case, a company in a field that interests me (software) had an opening for which I was qualified, and I had a former coworker willing to refer me for the position. The quote “The harder I work, the luckier I get” comes to mind, as does “luck is preparation meeting opportunity.” Sometimes, timing is everything.

What Do You Think?

What lessons have you learned from previous job searches? Share your best practices in the comments. 

My Lessons Learned

  • The Layoff Lady's Ultimate Guide To Answering The Question, "I Just Got Laid Off--Now What Do I Do?"​
  • The Layoff Lady Book: Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide
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The Ultimate Guide To Answering The Question, "I Just Got Laid Off--Now What Do I Do?"

12/17/2024

4 Comments

 
By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

Layoffs Happen All The Time

It starts like any other day. Then, it takes an ominous turn. 
​
Whether you were invited to an ambiguously titled last minute meeting, received an awkward message in your personal email notifying you of your last day, or are perp walked to HR on your first day back from vacation, you are now among the newly unemployed. 

​Welcome to the suck.
New Layoffs White Box
Layoffs happen all the time.

Now What Do I Do?

Even if there were buyout rumors, a quarter with low sales, or a new company direction, being part of a reduction in force (RIF) is still surreal when it happens to you. It's hard to know what to do with yourself when you find yourself unexpectedly out of the job. It's time to redirect your attention.

Your New Focus Areas

The work problems you had an hour ago are gone. Along with your freed-up future come very different challenges. It’s time to shift to these top three focus areas:
​​
  • Working through your initial feelings. 
  • Assessing your current financial state.
  • Considering future employment options. 

Your Guiding Principle

Along with your new focus areas, your overall guiding principle is not to do anything counterproductive (or downright dumb) as you figure out your post-layoff next steps.

Your Never-Do List

Here are the career-limiting moves that will make your life harder. Instead of springing into action, stop, think, and then just don't do the following:

  • Talk trash about your former employer or layoff publicly.
  • Spew your unfiltered anger, sadness, fear, or hurt all over the interwebs.
  • Post on social media about how desperate you are for paid work.
  • Apply for all the jobs motivated solely by panic.
  • Take any old job.

Your Think-Before-You-Consider-Doing List 

Here are a few things you may want to do at some point, but that require thought and a plan before you move forward. At the very least, sleep on it before you do any of the following:

  • Contact recruiters, hiring managers, or colleagues about job openings before thinking about what you really want to do next.
  • Make big life decisions with long-term consequences (like a cross-country move, selling your house, or getting rid of your car).
  • Act on anyone else's advice without thinking about what is right for you (including a cross-country move, selling your house, or getting rid of your car).

Now that you are at least somewhat inoculated against creating utter chaos for yourself, let's get back to those top three focus areas. 
Picture
My white box from layoff #4.

Focus Area 1: Process Your Emotions

Losing your job can be an emotional roller coaster. An unplanned job change is a stressful life event on par with getting divorced or going to prison. ​Just like dealing with a death in the family, you’re dealing with the death of the future you thought you had. Losing that imagined future is a significant loss that needs to be addressed.
​
Figure out how you will cope with these changes. While distracting yourself from the unpleasant parts of the process is natural, building healthier coping mechanisms, like prioritizing self-care, is better for your long-term success.  

While you can get away with avoiding your feelings for a while, eventually, you need to acknowledge each one so you can move on. If you don’t work through those difficult emotions, your ignored feelings will come out sideways at just the wrong time. It is better to work through your grief privately than to fall apart during an interview or snap at someone who is trying to help you.

Step 2: Review Your Finances


Disclaimer: 

While I know quite a bit based on my previous work experience supporting financial coaches, my own research, and my personal life experiences, I do not currently hold a license or certification to give financial advice. Therefore, the information provided here is educational information provided as guidance.

I hope you can glean value from my lessons learned. Feel free to take my recommendations or not—but whatever you do, double-check my information (and everyone's facts, for that matter). This is your life, and you will care more about your finances and health care than anyone else. With that, read on. 

Possible Money From Your Former Employer

Although your paychecks will eventually stop, you will receive your final paycheck, possibly vacation time that you have earned and, hopefully, a lovely parting gift from your former employer in the form of a severance package. Severance could be equivalent to a set number of weeks of pay or include an additional lump sum, continuation of some benefits, and job placement services. In most cases, employers do not have to give you any type of severance.

If you are eligible for a severance package, you will need to sign something before receiving that money. Once you sign, any thoughts you might have about legal action regarding your employment with the organization are pretty much over. Read the agreement given to you, consider having a lawyer look it over, and ask for clarifications (and any revisions) before signing it. After that, there is typically a waiting period before you receive that money. I also encourage you not just to sign whatever paper they put in front of you. Make sure you advocate for yourself. 

Unemployment Income

After a layoff, most people will be eligible for unemployment insurance income, or UI. I encourage you to apply for unemployment payments. The money used to make unemployment payments comes from the payroll taxes that employers pay. That money is intended to help people who have been laid off to pay their bills as they search for something new.

Unemployment payments are administered at the state level and vary by state. After you apply, there may be a waiting period before you receive a payment. Your state will also outline the amount of each payment you will receive, the number of payments you are eligible to receive, and additional factors impacting your payments. You may also qualify for job search support services and even programs to help you upgrade your skills. 
​
In short, apply for unemployment income right away. In most cases, there is not a good reason for most people to forgo unemployment payments. 

A Note About Health Insurance

​Since many people rely on their employers for health insurance coverage, consider how you’ll cover healthcare costs. If you have a  spouse, domestic partner, or parent who can bring you onto their health insurance, that may be your best option. Check with the other person’s employer and let them know you no longer have health insurance through your employer because of a layoff. Their employer can talk you through your next steps and cost changes.  

If that's not an option, consider COBRA coverage through your former employer. This means you could stay with your previous health insurance, but now you'd pay the whole premium cost. Brace yourself when you see your new premium amount because it is usually A LOT more than you spent as an employee.

Another option is going on the insurance exchanges at Healthcare.gov to find coverage. You may even be eligible for a subsidy to offset the cost. Alternatively, for less expensive coverage intended to cover a big expensive medical issue should it happen, short-term health care insurance may be a good interim option. Do your research and determine what makes the most sense for you and your household.

Step 3: Prepare For Your Job Search

Next, plan to launch your search for a new job. Start by thinking about what kind of job you want. Write down job titles, possible employers, and your target salary range. Update your resume to include details about your last position and showcase your unique skillset as it aligns with your target job.

From here, start letting people know your new status of being “in transition” and ask for help. They might be able to introduce you to a valuable business contact, keep an eye out for job openings that meet your needs, and introduce you to a hiring manager looking for someone just like you.

It Will All Work Out. It May Also Take A While. 

All told, I’ve had seven workdays that started with lots of obligations then quickly evaporated into unemployment. The good news is that it will all work out. The bad news is that there is a lot of uncertainty between your last day of work and your first day of your fancy new job when it does arrive. Using these tips will set you right as you begin your career transition. 

Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide

If you've recently been laid off, check out my book Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide. You can even buy the eBook to get help right now.
​
In this book, I cover seven lessons from my seven experiences with unplanned job losses. I include my personal stories alongside practical advice for navigating this tumultuous time. 
​
You'll learn strategies for managing your mindset, finding the next right job for you, shaping your career story, and overcoming setbacks.
Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide by Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

Learn More

  • ​Unemployment Benefits (and How To Apply) by US State
  • Healthcare.gov: Health Insurance Options if You Are Unemployed
  • ​The Layoff Lady Book: Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide
4 Comments

My Top 3: Strategies for Ongoing Learning & Skill Development

12/3/2024

0 Comments

 
By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

Learn all the things!

Whether you're gainfully employed or looking for a new role, continuing to learn and grow is a valuable career resilience strategy. ​While you can certainly pursue college degrees or certifications, there are many informal ways to increase your knowledge. Here are three of my favorite ways to continue learning and growing.

Strategy 1: Social Media

Staying current on industry trends can be a challenge. One way to learn a little bit at a time is using social media. I use LinkedIn to learn a little at a time on topics that matter to me. Follow thought leaders and regularly read their posts to learn more about emerging trends and technologies. In addition, follow companies to stay current on their new products and positions in the marketplace. You can also follow hashtags for keywords you like to learn about. 

Here are a few topics I consistently learn about from social media posts: 

  • I follow CliftonStrengths to learn about the 34 strength themes and how to leverage strengths in different work situations.
  • I follow Christopher Voss to learn more about negotiation strategies.
  • I follow Remit Sethi to learn about financial wellbeing.
  • I follow the hashtag #careerwellbeing to find articles on best practices.

Strategy 2: Webinars

Webinars are an excellent way to learn about a topic in more detail, usually over the course of 30-60 minutes. In a webinar, you can hear a speaker lead you through content, highlight important points, and string those ideas together into a more cohesive whole. In addition, you may also have the opportunity to interact with other webinar attendees. Webinars may focus on presenting content, answering questions from live attendees, or getting the group to share ideas on a specific topic.

Here are a few webinars I have attended and what I took away from each: 

  • I attended Kassy LaBorie's Virtual Training Hero Hangout monthly webinar to meet other trainers and learn virtual facilitation best practices. 
  • I attended The Association for Talent Development - Nebraska Chapter's monthly Learning Leaders Monthly Meeting to chat with colleagues about each person’s challenges and possible approaches.
  • I attended virtual meetings of The White Box Club to learn tips and tricks about managing my mindset during my career transition.
  • I attended a Fredrickson Roundtable for Learning Leaders meeting to learn about a specific organization's process for designing and implementing a company-wide educational program.

Strategy 3: Professional Organizations

Professional organizations are a great way to learn more about a wide variety of topics. For one, you can attend regularly scheduled meetings, which typically have an educational component, to learn industry-specific content. Most groups have a social component, whether it is networking time during meetings or separate events that focus on getting to know other members.

​There are also volunteer opportunities, from helping check people in at a monthly meeting, being on an event-specific committee, and taking on a leadership role. These opportunities provide multiple ways to learn from a structured event or learn by doing. 

Here are a few professional organizations I have been a part of and ways I have learned content and skills:
​
  • I attended a monthly meeting of The Omaha Organizational Development Network to learn how to boost team performance using positive intelligence. 
  • I designed and delivered a breakout session for the PACT MN ExcellenceShare event to teach people how to build their professional networks using LinkedIn.
  • I developed relationships with presenters, coordinated virtual events, and produced one-hour learning sessions for people in career transition for The White Box Club. 
  • I planned, organized, and facilitated Career Development Special Interest Group meetings for The Association for Talent Development - Nebraska Chapter to share career resilience strategies for members. 

Learn More

  • The Layoff Lady: Strengthening Professional Relationships - Interacting With LinkedIn Posts
  • The Layoff Lady: Job Layoff Fear - An Alternative to Worry​
  • The Layoff Lady: Growing Your Professional Network - Attending Webinars 
  • ​The Layoff Lady's Ultimate Guide To Answering The Question, "I Just Got Laid Off--Now What Do I Do?"​
  • The Layoff Lady Book: Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide​
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Job Search Skills You Didn't Know You Needed: Remote, Hybrid, Onsite, and Hiring Eligibility

10/22/2024

0 Comments

 
By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

Onsite, Remote, and Hybrid Work Implications

When searching for a job, one challenge is figuring out what work arrangements a given employer has in mind. Since 2020, companies in the United States often label their open positions as onsite, hybrid, or remote. Even with those labels, job seekers and individual employers are still not always aligned on what exactly that means. 

​Let's look at some of the factors in play. 

Remote Job Clarifications

For a job labeled as "remote," their expectations could be any of the following:
​
  • The candidate lives in the United States and can work from anywhere.
  • The candidate lives in the United States and must work from their home.
  • The candidate lives within a specific list of states where the potential employer is set up to conduct business.
  • The candidate lives within a specific time zone.
  • The candidate is willing to work hours in a specified time zone.
  • The candidate lives within a specified distance from one of the company's physical office locations.
  • The candidate lives in the metropolitan area of the company's headquarters.
  • The company is "remote first" with no physical office location.
  • The company is "remote-friendly," meaning there may be the option to work in an office location, a designated shared space, or fully remote.
  • The company is "open to remote" and may consider a candidate who does not work in their office location.

Onsite, Remote, and Hybrid Roles in Practice

Regardless of the label, each role may work differently in practice. Here are a few of the many possible scenarios:

  • A company may label a job as remote, then later in the job description mention preferences for being onsite.
  • A company may label a job as hybrid when it could more accurately be described as remote with some travel to the corporate office.
  • A company may label a job as onsite or hybrid, and in the body of the job description, explain that they are also open to remote.
  • A company may label a job hybrid, expecting people to be onsite (in the office) anywhere from never to 4 days per week. 
  • A company may have an unstated preference for the location of employees.
  • A company may not be clear about their ongoing thoughts on having workers return to the office or the timeline for that change.
  • Many companies label roles as remote but do not clarify additional details about arrangements (which states, preferences for specific geographical locations).
  • Companies may decide on a case by case basis where they prefer employees to be located or if they will be remote, hybrid, or onsite.
  • Any of these designations may also include travel. 

Navigating Job Listings for Remote Roles

As a job seeker who understand the different stated options and possible meanings, here are a few strategies for navigating job listings:

  • Review posted job openings for additional details on work arrangements. For remote roles, read the main job description and skim the listing for additional location restrictions (time zones, states, and proximity to a physical office).
  • If you're on a job search site, find the job listing on the company's website. Sometimes they will include additional details on the specific states where they are able to hire and/or want to hire for a given position. 
  • If you’re not sure if a company can do business in your state, use LinkedIn to search for employees at that company who currently live in your state. This would indicate that the company is legally able to hire someone in your state.
  • Connect with and speak with someone at the organization and ask for additional clarification on work arrangements and remote work policies.
  • If it’s unclear, reach out to a company recruiter to clarify details (or, if time is of the essence, apply first, then ask questions later).

Remote Work Implications: Locations and Pay

There are also a few other implications of remote work to keep in mind:
​
  • Salary ranges will be all over the board for the same role. For example, a title like "Training Manager" could have a salary of anywhere from $50,000 - $225,000 per year, depending on the location of the company's corporate office. 
  • Some companies adjust their salary ranges based on the candidate's geographic area, while others do not. 
  • Even with pay transparency laws in some states, not all jobs list the salary range--even when they are now required to do so. 

Strategies for Remote Work Salary Conversations

Given these variations on how salaries work for remote roles, be sure to think through your financial requirements and how you will address questions about your desired salary:

  • Identify your desired salary range overall. Use this range as a starting point for all conversations.
  • Review posted salary ranges for the role. Make sure they at least meet your minimum salary.
  • During the interview process, when a recruiter or hiring manager asks you for your desired salary range, answer that question with the question, “what is the salary range for this position?” This assures that you’re not selling yourself short.

Learn More

  • The Layoff Lady: Interview Preparation: The Initial Phone Screen
  • The Layoff Lady's Ultimate Guide To Answering The Question, "I Just Got Laid Off--Now What Do I Do?"​
  • The Layoff Lady Book: Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide​
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    Were you recently laid off? Need a roadmap for what's next? Or planning just in case? Check out my book, Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide!​

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