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Managing Your Professional References

7/15/2025

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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

About References

When you’re getting ready to apply for jobs, at some point, those companies will ask for professional references. Some organizations will ask for references during the initial application. Other employers will ask as they approach the final stages of their interview process.  Let's look at how you can select and communicate well with these people who you want to vouch for you and your skills.

About Professional References

Your professional references will speak well of you and help potential employers see your value. While personal references are generally people who can vouch for your character, professional references can share their experience with you in a work-related capacity.  Typically, you'll need the names and contact information for three people who can share their experiences with you.

Selecting Your References

When selecting your professional references, here are a few ideas on who you may want to use:
  • Previous managers
  • Coworkers
  • Direct reports
  • Contacts from professional organizations
  • People with whom you've volunteered
  • Someone who is referring you for a role

Overall, it's helpful to find people who have worked for you doing relevant work (paid or volunteer) and who can attest to your skills. Here are a few of the people I have used a reference in the past:
  • A recent manager when I was in an individual contributor role.
  • A director who was not my immediate manager but who I collaborate with on projects
  • A colleague who I worked alongside when we each led different teams
  • A project manager who managed a team I was on
  • One of my direct reports
  • Someone who I interacted with while I volunteered for a professional development organization
  • Someone who was also a contractor for the same company I worked for
  • A parent who also volunteered to chaperone a school event  

Which References To Use

When I apply for jobs, I have two references I use consistently.
  • One is a colleague I've worked with at three different companies. I have worked with him for over ten years. I first had him as a trainee in a class, then we both worked at another company in different departments, then he was my direct report at another company.  He is one of my go-to references because he has seen me work in several roles, can comment on me as a leader, and has first-hand experience with my instructional design skills. 
  • One is a recent manager of mine.  I worked with her on a small team in a large organization. She can also attest to my skills as a learning consultant and in a technical role while commenting on how I work on project teams and meet deadlines. Having at least one former manager as a reference is essential. 

Depending on the role for which I am applying, I will choose which other reference might be the most helpful: 
  • For a role focused on finance, I might include a former colleague of mine who was a  retirement coach.  He and I have collaborated on projects, created financial education materials, and fine-tuned a process for coaching individuals on retirement planning concepts. 
  • For a role with a healthcare company with an opening for a technical trainer, I might include a former colleague of mine who used to work on the same team as me. Since she and I had worked together to co-facilitate classes, she could speak to the specific skills I would bring to the role. She could also refer me for that role as well. 
  • For a role focusing on career coaching and resume development, I might include a board member for a professional organization where I put together and regularly deliver content on career development. 

Overall, make sure that your references can speak to your skills as they might pertain to the specific job. 

Information To Include

Make sure to collect the following details on your potential references so you are ready to share it with possible employers:
  • First and last name
  • Current company and job title
  • LinkedIn profile (if available)
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Background information on your relationship

Asking People To Be Your Reference

Before you start giving out people's contact information, be sure to confirm they are okay with being your reference. I suggest doing this before a specific job asks for references. I usually send them a message via email, LinkedIn, or text that reads something like this:
---------------
Hi, [first name].  I'm launching my job search, and I'm wondering if you'd be willing to be one of my professional references. If so, please share the following contact information details with me:
  • Current company and job title
  • Preferred phone number
  • Preferred email address

Thanks for your help!
​​--------------

The Heads Up Message

After you have their initial permission to give out their name as a reference, be sure to also inform them if they should expect someone to reach out to them. In addition to letting them know who may contact them and the type of position, it's also good to share a reminder of your previous work relationship so they aren't scrambling. Here is an example of that type of message.
​---------------
Hi, [first name]. Thanks for being willing to be my reference!

I recently applied for a [job title] position with [company name]. I am in the final stages of their interview process, and they may contact you via phone or email.

As a reminder, you and I worked together at [company] from [date range] when I was a [my job title] and you were the [their job title].  

Thanks again!
​​---------------

Learn More

  • The Layoff Lady: Customizing Your Resume for Each Job Application 
  • The Layoff Lady: Prioritizing Job Applications​​
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Talking About Your Target Job

7/8/2025

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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

Your Target Job

As you begin your job search, you need to identify key characteristics of your target job. To begin, make sure you do a little soul-searching and have a clear picture of what you want from your next role. For guidance on how to go about that process, check out my article entitled, "​Career Planning: Figuring Out What You Want To Be Next." 

Here are a few of the main pieces of information that will help you move forward:

  • Your target job title
  • Working arrangements: hours per week, job location, remote/onsite/hybrid
  • Company size and industry
  • Key skills you want to use
  • Problems you want to help solve

About Your What I Want Statement

​Now, let’s figure out how to take that information and make it into a clear statement outlining key components of what you want. Remember, the purpose of this statement is to help you clearly communicate what you are looking for in your next work opportunity. The more you talk with people about what you want, the clearer the details of what you are looking for will become for you. 

Your What I Want Statement: Job Title

If you are targeting a specific job title, your What I Want statement might look like this:

  • I’m seeking a full-time technical writer role with a growing software company. I want to collaborate with product management to document new and existing product functionality. I also want to use my skills in knowledge management to optimize knowledge base searchability. 

  • I’m interested in finding a contract social media marketing consultant role where I can help a small to mid-sized business create their social media presence. I want to develop and execute a business strategy to grow audience size and engagement for TikTok and Instagram.

  • I’m currently seeking a full-time technical project manager position that is 100% remote or hybrid/onsite in Baltimore, MD. I would like to work in the telcom or communication industries supporting cyber security projects.

Each of these examples highlights a job title, type of organization, and even the specific skills each person would like to use in their new job. 

Your What I Want Statement: Open To Options

If you are open to multiple roles within different types of organizations, you will write your statement differently. For one, start with the soul searching you did and pinpointing key characteristics of what you want in your next job. Review your list, and prioritize which factors are the most important to you. It could be the type of company you’ll work for, the geographic area, work arrangements, or specific skills that you’ll use more.  

Focus your statement on the aspects that are most important to you. Here are a couple of examples that I have used in previous job searches:

Earlier pandemic, I used the following What I Want statement: 

  • I am seeking a 100% remote full-time learning and development position. I am interested in roles with larger organizations where I can be a strong contributor and leverage my skills in needs assessment, performance consulting, change management, instructional design, and learning facilitation. I am open to roles as a strong individual contributor, managing the learning function, or managing a team. Job titles that may be appropriate for me include Learning Consultant, Learning & Development Lead, or Training Manager. 

For another job search, I used the following What I Want statement: 

  • I’m searching for a Learning & Development role in the greater Omaha, NE area. I have a wide talent management skill set, and I am interested in roles that involve leading a team, player/coach, managing projects and programs, or acting as an individual contributor. My target job titles include Learning Consultant and Learning and Development Manager. I’m also open to similar job titles in the areas of L&D, sales enablement, or organizational development.

Overall, since I wasn't focused solely on one job title, I prioritized what mattered to me and went from there. Notice that I start with specifying the field, and the work arrangements that were most important to me. Then, I reviewed a few key skills I had that I wanted to use, and in one case talked mroe about the employer. Since the goal with these statements is to help communicate what you want, this is a good way to narrow it down so people are better able to help you in your job search. 

Using Your What I Want Statement

Writing a clear and concise What I Want statement can help you as you review job openings you encounter and empower you to prioritize your job applications to those that most closely align with your job search goals. You can also include a version of this statement in the following contexts: 
​
  • Your cover letter
  • Your LinkedIn About section (while in career transition)
  • Emails to recruiters, connections, or hiring managers inquiring about roles
  • Posts asking for assistance in finding a new job

Learn More

  • The Layoff Lady: Career Planning - Figuring Out What You Want To Be Next
  • The Layoff Lady: What To Include on Your LinkedIn Profile
  • ​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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Two Unfortunate Job Searching Truths and An Okay One (And How To Manage Each)

5/27/2025

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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

The Adventure of Finding a New Job

Whether you're gainfully employed but looking for the next right opportunity for you, or you're in career transition, job searching is hard. Here are three unfortunate job searching truths that can help you manage your mindset and emotions as you work through the ups and downs of this process. 

​Truth 1: Job Seeker Time Goes Slower Than Hiring Organization Time

When you're a hiring manager, you have a ton going on, and only one of those things is hiring a new person. You're still trying to manage your team, meet deadlines, troubleshoot customer problems, and juggle all the people you're considering for your open position. In an interview, when one candidate asks about the hiring process, you tell them you should know who will move on to the next steps in the process "by the end of this week"--and at the time, you believe that is a reasonable deadline. Then there is a software release with a bug that causes three meetings to be scheduled with big clients, or someone ends up out on sick leave unexpectedly, or your child has to be picked up from daycare with the flu. Friday comes and goes, and getting in touch with a candidate falls off your radar until the next week. 

Meanwhile, as a job seeker, you put a note on your calendar that you'll know one way or another by Friday. Then you analyze every syllable you uttered in the interview, hoping you didn't say anything awful. You rethink a facial expression you interpreted as approving and wonder if it really was that at all. You suffer through Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, secretly worrying that you will never find another job. Ever. 

Instead of spiraling, take action to get you closer to your goals.
​
After the interview, email the hiring manager a thank you message and consider sending them a LinkedIn connection request. Put a note on your calendar for a few days after the hiring manager said they would contact you. Reach out to them at that time, including a few pleasantries, reiterating your interest in the role, and asking for an update.

Will you get the job? It's hard to tell. Either way, you did your part. Remind yourself that you won't get every job you apply for, and reflect to see what you can learn from it. At the very least, pat yourself on the back that you didn't over-follow up (which is often worse than not following up at all), and be sure to focus on more than one job opportunity at a time.

In addition, network with three more people and apply for three more jobs.

Truth 2: It's Not "Your Job" Until You Receive A Paycheck

Inevitably as a job searcher, you run across it. THE job. It's the one you know is meant to be yours. It's perfect--easy commute, a great title, the go-to company, exactly what you are qualified (and want) to do. In your head, you think--this is MY job. You picture your new business cards, where you'll park, and how you'll introduce yourself as the "Director of Awesomeness" for this perfect company. If you're still working, you may be dreaming about the day you hand in your notice--or get excited knowing you won't have to finish a dreaded project because you'll be elsewhere. You think--why should I even bother applying for anything else because this one is SO my job!

Except, well, it's not actually your job yet. You're looking at it and seeing yourself in it, but it's not real. You don't work there. No one is sending you a paycheck for it. They don't even know your name yet. You may very well still work at your company in a few months when the project you're not excited about is due. While this MAY be the job you eventually get, it's not a done deal yet.

You know what else? It may not end up being your job. Apply for that job--even work hard to get it. Know, though, that you may end up not even getting called in for an interview. This doesn't mean you're not still an amazing professional with valuable qualifications. Remember, there are always many things going on when companies hire. There may be an internal candidate, a previous coworker of the hiring manager, someone who has a referral from a college friend, or someone who has even slightly more of a qualification that didn't make that job posting. 

Instead of spiraling, take action to get you closer to your goals.

Whenever you fall in love with a job or think of something as "your job,” make an extra effort to apply for additional jobs--or at least game out what happens if you do not get the job. If the job you see yourself in works out, great. If not, you're still working towards your ultimate goal of finding a new role (complete with a paycheck), whichever job that might be. 

In addition, network with three more people and apply for three more jobs

Truth 3: You Only Need One Job.

Applying for jobs is a process. Looking back at my records, I have typically applied for between 40 and 100 jobs when I've been in career transition. It's easy to get discouraged. If you're working and looking for something else, you might be more selective in your applications and feel especially attached to an opening you see. Remember, not every personal referral, application, or interview will lead to an offer.

Again--sometimes you apply and hear back a fat lot of nothing. Sometimes, you might get a quick rejection from a job only to see it reposted a week later. In those cases, it can be hard to see that they don't even have a good candidate, but they know it's not going to be me. That one smarts.

It's also hard when you interview for a role multiple times only to hear that you didn't get the job. Even though they genuinely liked you, you didn't get it. Maybe you were a close second, perhaps they went with an internal candidate, or they ended up not filling the position. There is so much rejection in the job search process that you’ll inevitably feel sad and like maybe there is no hope for you finding the right next job for you.

Instead of spiraling, take action to get you closer to your goals. 

At the end of the day, though, you only need one job, and one organization to tell you “Yes.” You only need one place where you and the employer agree to work together. Sometimes, it's helpful to remind yourself that all those no answers get you to the one yes you need. The trick is that you don't know which one will be that yes. You have to keep on keeping on until you find it.

In addition, network with three more people and apply for three more jobs.

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: Managing Job Search Rejection
  • The Layoff Lady Book: Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide​
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Prioritizing Job Applications

4/15/2025

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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

So Many Openings!

​Depending on your chosen field, and your preferred work arrangements, there are a lot of jobs for which you could apply. While remote work availability gives each job applicant many more work options, figuring out how to prioritize open positions can be overwhelming.

Here is my recommendation for evaluating open roles and prioritizing which job applications you submit.  

Searching for Available Jobs

In this scenario, we'll look at how someone in a role as a Training Specialist can sort through a the sea of job listings and prioritize which openings should recive applications. 
​
To begin, I searched on Indeed.com for the job title Training Specialist. This search generated these results: 
​
  • 43 jobs listed within 25 miles of Omaha, NE.
  • 588 jobs categorized as remote. 
​
Without superpowers, it is not feasible to apply for 631 jobs in one week. 

Time to Apply and Available Time

Personally, when I decide to apply for a given role, I take about 30 minutes to research the company, customize my resume, and complete my formal application. In a given week, there are 7 days, which is 168 hours. There are not enough hours in a week for me to apply for that many jobs.

Even if I somehow managed not to eat, sleep, or do even the most basic self-care, I could only apply for 336 jobs. 

Closer to the realm of feasibility, if I decided to dedicate a full 40 hours per week solely to applying for jobs, I could apply for 80 jobs—but definitely not well. In addition, working this long and this hard solely on submitting applications can put you on the fast track to burnout. Even half that, dedicating 20 hours solely to applying for jobs, and applying for 40 jobs in a given week, is most likely overkill.

If you're currently in career transition and not working full time, you cuould probably dedicate 20 hours a week to job searching. I would argue, though, that even 20 hours solely focused on applying for jobs is probably more than anyone can do well. If you're currently working full time, I'm guessing that even if you did dedicate 20 hours, your results would not be stellar after working full time and any other non-job searching life activities you decide to take on.

More Is Not Necessarily Better

​The more jobs I try to apply for in rapid succession, the less effective I am. While applying for jobs is in some respects, a numbers game, it’s not as easy as applying to all the jobs and knowing that one will work out. This strategy often causes people to waste time applying for roles that aren't a close enough fit.

A better strategy is to prioritize jobs that are the best match for your skills and what you want and focus on applying for those well. 

When I'm in career transition, my goal is usually to apply for three jobs per week. However, if I see several great opportunities or have not searched for a job in a while, I may apply for as many as six. Beyond that, though, my application quality suffers. ​

Prioritizing Applications

​To apply for jobs well, you need to determine the best way to prioritize your applications. Instead of the “spray and pray” approach, think through what you want and apply with more purpose. This approach favors quality over quantity and will help you focus your efforts on where you can get better overall results for your time investment.

Step 1:  Know Key Characteristics of What You Want

Early in your job search, it’s essential to do at least a little soul-searching and be able to articulate what you want. This may include revisiting your values, identifying your strengths, and thinking about the work you enjoy.
 
For example, earlier career Brenda would have a list something like this on what she wanted from a role:

  • Training specialist or related position.
  • Within 25 miles of home or 100% remote with up to 25% travel.
  • Full-time role with benefits and within my established salary range.
  • Opportunities for promotion and advancement.
  • Working in the software, finance, healthcare, or insurance industry.
  • I would rather focus on training design and delivery than only delivering training that other people have designed.
  • I would prefer not to have my main focus be compliance training, developing eLearning, LMS administration, resolving help desk tickets, writing technical documentation, dealing with customer complaints, or recordkeeping.

Having a stated list of preferences, and continuing to hone it as you learn more, is your first step in determining which jobs to target. 

Step 2: Narrowing Your Search

Let's go back to those 631 search results from my Training Specialist searches. By adding additional search parameters, we can narrow our results to jobs that  more specifically meet our criteria:

Starting with those 43 roles in Omaha: 
  • Specifying a full-time role takes me down to 37 jobs
  • Putting quotes around "Training Specialist" (to specify those actual words need to be in my results) takes me down to 19 jobs
  • Showing only jobs posted within the last two weeks takes me down to 12 jobs

Starting with those 588 remote jobs:
​
  • Specifying a full-time role takes me down to 391 jobs
  • Putting quotes around "Training Specialist" (to specify those actual words need to be in my results) takes me down to 102 jobs
  • Showing only jobs posted within the last two weeks takes me down to 45 jobs

Step 3: Quick Job Listing Review

Now that I have a more reasonable number of jobs to go through (12 and 45--57 total), I start to do a cursory review of the short descriptions of each role. 

No
  • I rule out these jobs because the job titles show the roles are outside of my area of focus: Cement Manufacturing Safety Training Coordinator, Auto Glass Repair Specialist (Paid Training), and Clinical Training Specialist (for a registered nurse).
  • I rule out one because it is a longer commute than I want, one requires a license I do not have (or want to pursue) and one in a field that doesn't interest me. 
  • I rule out a few because the stated salary is significantly outside of my target salary range. 

Yes
  • Those that appeal to me at a glance, I add to TealHQ. Teal is a free service to track jobs, note progress on applications, and make notes on interactions. One feature I especially like with Teal is that when you add a job, it notes keywords included in the job descriptions and any listed salary range.
  • I add jobs including Technical Training Specialist I-III (remote/Hybrid), Commercial Lines Training Specialist, and a few Training Specialist roles.
  • ​For now, I add jobs that interest me into TealHQ. However, I err on the side of adding something for further consideration.

I have now reduced the number of jobs that interest me to 31 roles.

Step 4: More Detailed Job Listing Review

Now that I have those 31 jobs in Teal, I look more closely at the following:
​
  • Identifying the work arrangements (onsite, hybrid, remote) and comments about these within the job description.
  • Ensuring I have the required and many top skills listed.
  • Assessing if the roles look like a good overall fit.
  • Noting any information about salary range.

I remove jobs where I am not eligible. This includes the following:

  • A required credential I don't currently possess or want to pursue.
  • A hybrid role in a state where I do not live. 
  • An organization who can not hire someone who lives in my current state of residence.

I remove jobs with anything that might be a dealbreaker for me. This includes the following:

  • A focus area that doesn't appeal to me.
  • A commute that I won't be happy with longer term. 
  • A job description that asks for a wide variety of skills with a low salary.

For the remaining jobs, I give them an initial rating of 1-5 stars and make notes on any areas I might want to explore further.

I now have 18 jobs in Teal. 

Step 5: A Little More Research

Next, I investigate a few things outside of the immediate job descriptions. 

  • I visit LinkedIn and see if I know anyone with the company who could give me additional information, put in a good word for me, or refer me for a role.
  • For a remote role that doesn't include a list of eligible states, I search LinkedIn to see if the company has employees who are currently living in my state of residence. This may indicate if they can hire people in my state.
  • I follow the company on LinkedIn and anyone involved in the hiring process.
  • I click the apply link to ensure it works, the position is still open, and they are still accepting applications.
  • I do a quick Google News search on the organization to see if and how they show up in the news. 
​
Now, I have 13 jobs In Teal.

Step 6: Customize a Resume and Prepare to Apply

​From the 13 jobs I have listed, I will apply for the jobs I'm most excited about and continue to reassess other openings listed. I will also add, remove, reprioritize, and take notes on specific roles as needed. 

Learn More

  • The Layoff Lady: Career Planning - Figuring Out What You Want To Be Next 
  • TealHQ.com
  • 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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Three Questions Your Resume Should Answer

4/8/2025

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​By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

Resume Observations

Recently, I have talked with several colleagues who are proactively updating their resumes just in case. After we chat about what kind of a position interests them, I often share a few additional tips about how to customize a resume to apply for a specific job. 

​As a many-time hiring manager, I have seen lots of bad and lots of sort-of-okay, and just a few resumes that were really, really good. For me, a resume needs to answer three fundamental questions in order to position the candidate for success. Having a resume that addresses each of these will help get you out of the no pile and into the “I am excited to talk with them” pile.

Question 1: Does This Person Want This Job?

In a previous job working at a software company, I was working on filling an instructional designer position on my team. I received one resume where the person’s career objective stated that they wanted to be a curator at a museum. The good news: this person knew what they wanted and made it clear in their resume. The bad news: I was not searching for a museum curator.

Most (like maybe a good half) of resumes that end up in the “no” pile are so nondescript that they could be applying for any number of office positions. Once, when I was hiring for a technical trainer position, I received a resume for someone with a lot of experience working as a corrections officer. The good news: this person had many potentially transferable skills. The bad news: I didn’t know if this person was interested in this particular role or was mass applying for anything that wasn’t their current job.

​Overall, make sure you customize your resume just enough so the hiring manager can see that you are interested in the role they have available. Given how costly a bad hire can be, help the hiring manager (and your chances at getting an interview) by reassuring them you applied for their opening on purpose. 

Question 2: Can This Person Do The Job?

Once I know a given candidate wants the job, I look for indicators that the person has the skills to do the job. Some candidates’ work experience is neat and tidy and points logically toward the open role. For example, they were a call center representative, then a senior call center representative, then a call center supervisor, then a call center manager. If they were applying for a call center manager position, from their job titles alone, I could be reasonably sure they could do the job. 

If the candidate did not have obvious work experience in a similar role, I need them to help me connect the dots. I’d expect them to explain to me how their previous education and jobs prepared them for this role. For example, if I’m hiring for an instructional designer position, the job description might include “collaborate with subject matter experts to create learning materials for client-facing courses.”

If someone with a background as a teacher applies, I need them to help me understand how their previous work experience relates to the available position. For example, they might include “collaborated with subject matter experts in the media center to create learning materials for a course for parents on encouraging their children to read more.” Without emphasizing those transferable skills, I might not realize they could perform the required tasks. Help the hiring manager by making the tie between your skills and the role for which you are applying clear.

Question 3: If I Hire Them, Will They Stick Around?

Filling an open position can take a long time and is a huge gamble. The goal is to find someone who wants the job, can do it, and will want to be in that position (or a part of your organization) for a good long time.

This part of resume assessment is teeing up the phone screen and helping me determine the questions I need to ask. For example, will this salary be in line with their desired salary range? Will they be happy working from the office or working from home for the amount required? Will they work well with this organization's structure and formality level? Will they want to travel as much (or as little) as is needed with this job? Are they going to be happy managing or not managing people? As a hiring manager, details in the resume are helpful as a starting point for those questions. 

Sharing information on what you want in a role, and drawing comparisons between the role you're applying for and what you want, will help make this process easier for all involved. 

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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Time Saving Tips for Customizing Your Resume For Each Job Application

4/1/2025

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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

A Resume for Each Job? Won't That Take Forever?

When applying for jobs, customizing each resume is one way to help you stand out. Unfortunately, it’s easy to spend a lot of time and effort updating your resume. Check out these shortcuts for customizing your resume that can save you time and improve your impact.

Identifying Your Target Role

When applying for jobs, an important first step is to know what specifically you are looking for in your next job--your target role. This includes details like your desired job title(s), industries, core work responsibilities, geographic location, day-to-day responsibilities, pay rate, and work arrangements (onsite, remote, hybrid).

​If you don't have a clear idea of what your target job looks like, it makes everything else harder. I encourage you to dedicate time to figuring out what you want. This action alone will help you be more efficient as you search for open positions, determine what to apply for, create your target job resume, and apply for specific jobs.

During a previous job search, these were key components of my target role:
​
  • Full-time Learning Consultant role at a company in the fields of software/healthcare/finance
  • 100% remote or hybrid in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area
  • Managing learning projects, completing needs assessments, designing comprehensive training programs for customers and employees 

Create a Target Job Resume

Start by creating a resume aligned with your target job. To be clear, this IS NOT the resume you submit each time you apply for a job. Instead, this target job resume is the one you start with and customize just a bit for each job application. You could also share your target job resume with those people who say, "Can you send me your resume?" who may not have a specific job description to share.
​
Overall, this resume should be a solid representation of your skills, the type of work you do, and the unique value you would bring to a new role. Your target job resume should also include keywords commonly appearing in job descriptions for the type of work you do.

Target Job Resume: Professional Summary Section

Start your target job resume with a professional summary. The goal of this section is to give the reader a quick overview of the value you bring to the position. This summary includes a few sentences that summarize who you are, what drives you, and how those factors align with an available role. This is also an opportunity to highlight important keywords that will resonate with employers.

During a previous job search, this was my Professional Summary:

Proactive learning consultant driven to help organizations succeed. Thrives when partnering with leaders and stakeholders to improve performance. Able to think strategically and execute tactically while managing multiple projects. Committed to constant learning, continuous improvement, and delivering training that drives results.​

Target Job Resume: Relevant Skills Section

Think about the skills employers typically ask for in your area of expertise. Make a list of those commonly used skills that keep popping up in job descriptions that interest you. Prioritize the ones that you really want the hiring team to know about. Include those in your Relevant Skills section near the top of your target job resume. 

During a previous job search, I listed these keywords as my Relevant Skills: 
​
​Blended Learning, Coaching, Collaboration, Communications, Consulting, Facilitation, Instructional Design, Needs Analysis, Onboarding, Project Management, Relationship Building, Strategy, Video Production

Target Job Resume: Work Experience Details

For each of your previous roles, be sure to outline specific projects on which you worked and the results of your efforts. In those bullet points on your target job resume, use the words you’ve seen in job descriptions. Be sure to include a wide variety of keywords to help even the least experienced recruiter see the tie between what you describe and the skills the employer wants.

During a previous job search, I included these keywords in my description of core responsibilities for my previous roles:
​
  • Implemented a knowledge management strategy for a fast-paced B2B company. Drove platform adoption, standardized training materials, leveraged best practices, and managed a remote team of 5-8.
​
  • Developed a blended learning solution to onboard new SaaS customers. Incorporated virtual instructor-led training (VILT), eLearning, hands-on practice, and post-class assessments. Decreased instructor classroom time, customer wait time, and implementation project length.
​​
  • Managed enterprise-wide training initiatives: producing a library of best-in-class microlearning videos, implementing a Digital Adaption Platform (DAP) for in-tool software support, and creating online user communities based on personas. 

The words in bold are keywords pulled from relevant job descriptions. 

Throughout my resume, I use as many variations of industry-standard words as I can. For example, the terms learning experience design, instructional design, and curriculum design are often used to describe the same set of skills. Instead of using the same term all the time, I alternate between these three to include a company's preferred term. ​

When You Might Share Your Target Job Resume

Once you have your target job resume completed, save a copy of it as a .pdf with a file name that includes your first and last name and the word "resume." For example, I would save mine as Brenda L. Peterson Resume. Now, if someone asks you for "your resume" with no specific job title in mind, you have a resume that is a good representation of you. In most cases, though, you will share a slightly different version of your resume for each job that interests you.

Creating an Application Resume: Save As 

Now that you have a target job resume in good shape, make sure the editable copy of your target job resume with a file name that includes your first and last name and the words "target job resume." For example, I would save mine as Brenda L. Peterson Target Job Resume.

Now, when you apply for a new role, you’ll start by opening your editable job target resume document and then saving it under a new file name that specifies the role for which you are applying. For example, I would save my application resume as Brenda L. Peterson, Lead Learning Consultant at Super Cool Company. This way, I still have my target job resume and a specific application resume to use for this job application. 

From Target Job Resume to Application Resume

Now you have a solid target job resume with the right sections and a wide variety of relevant keywords. When you are ready to apply for a specific job, start with the editable version of your resume. Remember, your resume is 80-90% ready. Now, you will focus on customizing two key sections before submitting an application: Professional Summary and Relevant Skills.

Application Resume: Professional Summary Section

From here, use the language in the job description to tailor your resume for this role. Since you already have a framework in place for how you write this section, now you can modify the exact wording to make it even more applicable to the job. In this example, I will customize my Professional Summary Section to align with the language used in the job description for a Lead Learning Consultant role. 

Here is the Professional Summary section from my target job resume:

Proactive learning consultant driven to help organizations succeed. Thrives when partnering with leaders and stakeholders to improve performance. Able to think strategically and execute tactically while managing multiple projects. Committed to constant learning, continuous improvement, and delivering training that drives results.​

Here is the updated Professional Summary section for my application resume for the Lead Learning Consultant role:

High-performing lead learning consultant who thrives when delivering engaging employee performance solutions. Excels when partnering with internal and external stakeholders to design innovative talent management programs. Able to think strategically and execute tactically while managing multiple projects. Committed to constant learning, continuous improvement, and delivering talent initiatives that drive engagement.

The sentiment is similar, but now I'm conveying my value add using the employer’s words to describe this position. Note the bolded words were pulled directly from the job description. 

Application Resume: Relevant Skills Section

Now, it's time to customize the Relevant Skills Section to include keywords from a listing for a specific opening. In this example, I will update my language to align with the terms in the Lead Learning Consultant role job description. 

Here is the Relevant Skills section from my target job resume:
​
​Blended Learning, Coaching, Collaboration, Communications, Consulting, Facilitation, Instructional Design, Needs Analysis, Onboarding, Project Management, Relationship Building, Strategy, Video Production
​
Here is the updated Relevant Skills section for my application resume for the Lead Learning Consultant role:

​Blended Learning Solutions, Employee Coaching, Collaboration, Communication Skills, Consulting, Facilitation, Curriculum Design, New Hire Onboarding, Project Management, Relationship Building, Strategy, Talent Management Programs

To mirror language the company used, I added "solutions" to blended learning, changed "instructional" to "curriculum", and added a few terms emphasized in the original job posting to this list. Realize these skills are also included in bulleted points for each role. This is just another opportunity to help the recruiter align the skills needed with the words listed in the job description. 

Finalizing Your Application Resume: Save As .pdf

Once you have your application resume completed, save a copy of it as a .pdf with the same file name, in my example, Brenda L. Peterson, Lead Learning Consultant at Super Cool Company. Now, you can submit your application resume to the company along with other details they request. 

What Do You Think?

Do you customize a resume for each role? What are your tips, tricks, and strategies? Include your thoughts in the comments. 

Learn More

  • The Layoff Lady: Career Planning - Figuring Out What You Want To Be Next 
  • The Layoff Lady: Prioritizing Job Applications
  • 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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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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Work Samples and Portfolios: Getting Started

10/29/2024

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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

About Portfolios

Depending on your chosen field, you may be asked to submit work samples at some point during the hiring process. The collection of examples of your work product is often called a portfolio. The content of your portfolio will vary depending on your goals, your industry, and the type of roles for which you are applying. 

Portfolios in Days of Yore

Earlier in my career, I had my "me book" that I woudl bring with me when I had in-person job interviews. It was a three ring binder the included neatly organized printed samples of my previous work. I did not give this to a hiring manager, but I would do a brief show and tell and explain each document. In addition, I also included a copy of my resume, certificates from classes I had taken and certifications I had achieved, and transcripts from college and graduate school.

When I attended and interview with a hiring manager or potential coworkers, often someone would ask if I happend to bring any work samples with me. I would often walk them through one or more of my work samples, described the design decisions involved in its creation, and told them the story of how I solved a work problem and how that work sample fit in.

Portfolios Now

Now, typically a portfolio is expected to be available online. You should have a link that you can share with a potential employer. In some cases, employer may review your work samples later on in the hiring process. Many times, employers may ask for a portfolio link during the application process. Depending on the role and organization, companies may even not consider applications for some jobs which do not include a portfolio link. 

What To Include

When it comes to determining what to include in your portfolio, it comes down to your overall goals. At it's most basic, you need to make sure you include samples of your work that align with the tasks and projects included in the jobs you would like to do. Here are a few examples:

  • If you are a web designer, you may include a brief description of three websites designed, unique featurs of each, and URLs for each of those sites.

  • If you are an eLearning developer, you may include a few examples of eLearning courses you created leveraging different technologies and topics. Perhaps you would would share a Rise course on a new process, a video on customer service skills, and an online assessment on an industry-specific compliance topic.

  • If you are a software trainer, you may share a webinar recording of you facilitating a software training session, a video where you did the voiceover and were on-camera, and a job aid you made including tips and tricks.

Overall, you need to figure out what skills are required, and show examples of how you have done that type of work in the past. 

What You Can Showcase

Your overall goals for your portfolio will help you determine what to include. Depending on what skillset you are trying to demonstrate, here are just a few of many possible focus areas for someone who is an instructional designer:
​
  • Show skill mastery. Include lessons from eLearning modules created in the same technology, but demonstrating different features and how they can be used for varying types of content like compliance, customer service, delivering presentations, and completing a process.

  • Show range. Include a video, an eLearning module, a job aid, a quick reference guide, and a facilitator guide created to support a team responsibile for customer-facing new product training. 

  • Show a project: Show the process and materials created to do initial training needs assessment, course design, creating course materials, facilitating learning, and results. 

None of these examples is right or wrong. Instead these are alternate approaches you might want to take to support your overall professional goals. 

What Do You Think?

What skills do you want to showcase in a portfolio? What skills and work examples might you include? What approach might you take to organizing your portfolio? Share your thoughts in the comments. 

Learn More

  • The Layoff Lady: Work Samples & Portfolios - Your Why & Your Goals
  • The Layoff Lady: Job Search Challenges - Job-Specific Assessments & Projects
  • The Layoff Lady: Career Planning - Figuring Out What You Want To Be Next
  • ​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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