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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 NumbersAfter 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:
Differences From Previous Job SearchesMy 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 YearFortunately (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 AvailabilityDuring 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 NetworkI 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 QualificationsDuring 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 LuckThere 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.
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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 MediaStaying 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:
Strategy 2: WebinarsWebinars 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:
Strategy 3: Professional OrganizationsProfessional 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:
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by Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Welcome To The SuckWhether you are in career transition and looking for a new job, or employed and looking for something new, job searching is always challenging--partly due to all of the uncertainty you'll face as you "wait for your life to start again" as you search for the next right role fro you. Suffice it to say that job searching can be full of obstacles that make the process hard to manage. Knowing the possible issues is the first step towards figuring out how to mitigate each challenge and move forward. Here are five unfortunate reasons I have discovered while working through job transitions and a few coping strategies for dealing with each. Reason 1: You Won't Always Interview For "The Perfect Job."Congratulations! You just found THE PERFECT JOB! You have all of the required and preferred qualifications! It's at the right level with your dream company, and you even know someone who works there who will say great things about you! Surely your days of job searching are coming to a close because you are the purple squirrel for THE PERFECT JOB! Enter reality. I'm sorry to say that you may not even manage to get so much as an initial phone screen for this position. Even when you feel like the job was tailor-made for you, it may not work out the way you want. Why might that happen? For one, the position may not actually be available. Some organizations post job openings to gauge interest in the position even though they have no solid plans to hire anytime soon. Conversely, the role may have been open for a while, and the selection process may be well underway. There could also be an internal person who will take the job without additional people being considered. In some cases, companies may have a policy that they need to post positions externally for a given length of time, even though they already have a candidate in mind. Still other organizations may decide part way through the hiring process to leave a position unfilled but not remove it from their posted jobs right away. Assuming the job is really, and for true accepting applicants, there may still be issues. For one, key organizational stakeholders may lack common agreement on what a job role will do and what constitutes being a well-qualified candidate. Decision makers may also each have their own non-negotiable requirements for the qualifications for the potential hire--which may or may not relate to the person's ability to do the job. Remember that no matter what the issue is, it seldom has anything to do with you personally. It's just the life of recruiting for and trying to fill positions with the best candidates they can find--sometimes with people who are (unfortunately) not you. Coping Strategies
Reason 2: People Who Aren't Great At Their Jobs Will Make It Hard.Remember a time at your last job when you had to deal with someone who was not great at what they did for a living? Like the rude salesperson who didn't do their paperwork correctly and caused you to lose out on a great deal? Or the manager who approved your time off request months ago, then decided to "unapprove" it a week before your vacation? During your job search, you'll realize those people exist in other organizations, too, and they sometimes stand between you and the job you want. It could come in the form of an administrative assistant who is supposed to coordinate your travel for an in-person interview--who didn't make reservations and then went on vacation, leaving you scrambling to find someone else to help. It might be the person conducting initial phone interviews who didn't realize that learning experience design and instructional design were the same thing and screened you out. It may even be an insecure possible future coworker who wants to avoid hiring someone who might outshine them. Like the rest of life, things are not always "fair." You may not get the job, even if you are a strong candidate. And so it goes. Coping Strategies
Reason 3: Along The Way, Someone Will Dislike You.I don't know about you, but I am friggin' delightful. I'm also able to connect and get along well with most people. However, during the interview process, no matter who I am or am not, it will not match what someone else thinks the candidate for the position should be. Whether they thought I should have smiled more, made a different outfit choice, or given more detailed examples, someone's negative reaction to who I am may take me out of the running for a job. People often have their own pet theories about what they'd like in a coworker, manager, or direct report. They may be convinced that having the title "account manager" is pivotal for success, that all candidates must have a master's degree, or that people who ride horses are pretentious. You might also have the misfortune of reminding them of the mean girl in high school and BOOM--instant dislike. Again, life isn't necessarily "fair." Coping Strategies
Reason 4. The Process May Be All Over The Place.The job interview process can be anything from one interview to many, many, many interviews, depending on the organization and the role. Typically, I expect to have a phone screen with an entry-level HR person to confirm that I can speak in sentences, an in-person interview with the manager and potential coworkers, and a final interview to demonstrate skills and/or meet with a company VP. In addition, a given employer may want you to do more to show that you have the skills necessary to do the job. For example, you might be asked to pass written assessments, submit work samples, present to a group or complete a project. They may even have you come into the office for the day and "work" as if you are already in the position you are applying for. Interviews could take place over the phone, via web conference, through email, in person, or (more likely) a combination of all of the above. Some companies will have a pre-defined, structured process for the pacing and format of interviews. Other organizations will appear to be making it up as they go along. You may also inadvertently skip steps and realize near the end of the process that you should have talked about a basic topic like salary range or work location. Sometimes, it may seem that the interview process is never-ending because you have yet to talk with every single person in the organization. Coping Strategies
Reason 5: Their "Fast" And Yours May Be Different.I remember being a child and how LONG the year seemed. It always took forever to get from my birthday at the end of August to Christmas. Enter adulthood. I find myself consistently marveling that it's already whatever day/month/season it is because it seems it was just that other day/month/season. In this scenario, your employer is the adult, and you are the child. Some companies will be motivated to fill positions and move quickly. In contrast, others might have days, weeks, or even months between your contact with them--all because something that wasn't filling that position became a priority. What about that two days the employer estimated it would take them to contact you? It may turn into a week or two. Since they're busy addressing customer issues, traveling to client sites, and doing their expense reports, they didn't even realize it took that long. Or, as any job seeker doesn't want to hear, you may not be getting the job. Responding to a candidate quickly usually shows that the potential employer is interested. In many cases, taking longer to respond may indicate lagging interest. Such is how the whole process works. Coping Strategies
Learn MoreBy Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Employer-Focused Career PlanningWhen you think about your career, you may think in terms of your current job title, what the company needs from you, and how your job might change based on organizational needs. This employer-focused mindset prioritizes the success of the business above all else. Often, the career planning offered by your employer is a part of their overall succession planning and focused on making sure their workforce has the skills to address anticipated future company needs. It's important to remember that the needs of a given business will change over time, as will company leaders, the market, the economy, and more. If that employer's needs no longer align with the skills you have and the salary they pay you for those skills, the company may make the business decision to "go in another direction." The end result may be them finding someone else to do the work they need done regardless of the skill set they encouraged you to develop. Your New Mindset: Realistic OptimistIn much of life, having the right mindset makes all the difference. I choose to be a Realistic Optimist. That means I acknowledge the challenges inherent in situations and also realize that I have the power to make choices that will help me achieve a positive result--in this case, a career that is meaningful and fulfilling for me. Let's look at a few of the realities of work and your career:
Let's also look at what that means for you:
Given these realities, thinking of your work future only in terms of who is currently signing your paychecks is not the wisest course of action. Instead, it's time to shift how you think about your work life. You can not afford to prioritize an employer's needs over what you want and need from your career. It's time to give yourself a promotion! Congratulations! You are The CEO of YouLeveraging your Realistic Optimist mindset, you are now no longer just an employee doing what your current employer wants and needs you to do. Now, it’s time for you to think of yourself first and foremost as the Chief Executive Officer of your own company and the business of you. This makes you the CEO of You. As the CEO of You, you are looking for employment that is a good business arrangement for you. Just like the executive team at a company needs to make tough decisions for the organization’s greater good, you need to make decisions that are in the best interests of you and your household. Adopting this mindset will change your life. The Business of YouAs the CEO of You, it’s time to think about what success looks like for your business. What are your assets? What are your marketable skills? Which company or companies should be your business partners? When is it time for you to end a business relationship that is not working? When is it time for you to pursue a new opportunity better aligned with your life? Whereas you as an employee may feel like you do not have any options, you can't afford to think about your livelihood just in terms of what your biggest client (your current employer) needs. Instead, you need to make decisions for the good of your business as the CEO of You. One of those is determining how to protect one of your greatest assets–your ability to earn a living by leveraging your knowledge, skills, and expertise. You also want to stay mindful of all the aspects of the employment decisions you make and how they impact your overall wellbeing--including your career, physical, financial, social, and community wellbeing. Your Short and Long-Term GoalsAs the CEO of You, think about your long-term goals. Just like the company's CEO does not make decisions based on what other companies think they should do, you need to do the same. Regardless of other people’s opinions, make the right decision for you and your household. Align your next steps with your overall goals. Think in terms of preferences and priorities. Remember, too, that you’re not just the CEO of your career but the CEO of all aspects of you. If you're in career transition and searching for a new role, this means not taking “any old job” unless you decide that is the right move for you. If you're employed by an organization that wants you to learn a new skill set, you get to decide if that interests you and how you will invest your time, talents, and money to build those skills. You get to decide what is a valuable opportunity for you and decide your next steps as you work toward aligning what your employer needs and what you want to do. This also means that your business decisions may change over time as the environment changes. You can also change your mind about the right job for you if your current role has enough value for you to stay, when it is time for you to do something else, how you want to change direction, and more. Adjusting Your Business StrategyAt the end of the day, remember your role as the CEO of you and make a decision that aligns with your overall career and life goals. If that means quitting a job that makes you miserable regardless of the short-term financial consequences, you can do that. If you want to leave a job that your friends say should be your dream job, you get to make the right decision for you. If you decide to take your career in a whole new direction that others might think is too risky, you get to weigh your options and go in the direction of your choice. As the CEO of You, you are the driver of your career and your life. Act accordingly. Learn MoreBy Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady About The Seven Layoff LessonsThrough my seven layoffs and many conversations with others in post-layoff career transition, I have learned seven core lessons:
About Layoff Lesson Seven: Assess, Adapt, and Rise AboveWhen you’re searching for a new job, there are always challenges. Like with any system you put in place to solve a problem, it’s helpful to compare the actions you’ve been taking to your results. It's valuable to review where you are getting stuck during the hiring process and updating what you're doing so you can see more success. Let's look at some of the challenges you might face. Interview Progression IssuesAfter 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, and then a job offer. Let’s look at possible places you might get stuck and how to evolve your approach.
Additional Job Search ChallengesEven when you have good results with your overall job search and hear back from companies on specific roles, you’ll still face challenges. Let’s look at a few:
You are the CEO of YouAt the end of the day, remember your role as the CEO of You and make a decision that aligns with your overall career and life goals. That might mean adjusting your requirements as your search goes on or holding out for what you really want. You get to decide what matters most to you and change your mind as needed. For The Whole StoryFor all the information on each of the seven lessons pick up a copy of my book Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide.  Learn MoreBy Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady About The Seven Layoff LessonsThrough my seven layoffs and many conversations with others in post-layoff career transition, I have learned seven core lessons:
About Layoff Lesson Five: Help People Help YouLife is challenging when nothing out-of-the-ordinary is happening. It's even harder when you're going through an unexpected job change. While I'm a fan of self-reliance, I also know how important it is to find your people and support one another as you go through challenges. You're not weak for needing people. You are strong because you know the value of building and leveraging relationships to help get you through trying times. I have found that people genuinely want to help. In many cases, though, they might not know what you need. Not only is it vital that you seek out help when you need it, but you need to figure out what type of help you need. One Career Transition RevelationHere's something that might surprise you. When you tell people that you're looking for a new job, this is when you will discover that many people don’t know exactly what it is you do for a living. Instead of being taken aback that they don’t know, use this as an opportunity to learn how to tell them what you want and need during your career transition--and it's much more than just a new paying job. Figure Out What Life Help You NeedFirst off, you need to figure the types of life help you might need:
Figure Out What Job Search Help You NeedIn addition, you need to figure the types of job search help you might need:
It Takes a VillageOnce you have a better idea of what you need, make sure you don't expect one person to fill all of these roles. Think about who could help you in each area and reach out to them. Leveraging Your Professional NetworkLinkedIn is my goto tool for building and managing my professional network. It's importan to make sure your LinkedIn profile represents you well, and that you showcase your experience and the value you bring to others, and to a new role. There is also an art (and a process) to asking people in your professional network in a way that is mutually beneficial. For The Whole StoryFor all the information on each of the seven lessons pick up a copy of my book Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide.  Learn More |
Author7-time layoff survivor Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady, waxes poetic on layoffs, job transitions, & career resilience. Buy The Book!
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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