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LinkedIn Is Your Billboard: Optimizing Your Profile

4/7/2026

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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

Your LinkedIn Profile: Purpose

While your resume is a concise 1-2 page marketing piece intended to showcase your skills as they apply to a specific job, LinkedIn is your professional billboard to the whole working world. 

When actively searching and applying for a job, you’ll include your LinkedIn profile on your resume. Hiring managers and recruiters will often view your profile to see which connections you might have in common and to learn more about you in general. Furthermore, recruiters may source you (invite you to apply or interview for an opportunity) based on the content of your profile.

Whether you are actively applying for a new job or simply building your professional network, it's a good idea to review your LinkedIn profile regularly and make updates to ensure your information is current and complete.

Your LinkedIn Profile: The Basics

Filling in these fields on your LinkedIn profile will make it an even more valuable tool as you build and grow your professional network:
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  • Profile Photo: This is the primary image, displayed in a circular frame, that represents you on LinkedIn. It should be a headshot—a photo featuring a recent picture of you focused on your face. You don’t need to suit-up for this either. Make sure you’re pictured solo, and the photo has the look and feel that best represents you.
 
  • Background Photo: When someone views your LinkedIn profile, they’ll see your profile photo, front and center, and your background photo along the top of your profile. Be sure to include a background photo aligned with your professional brand. You can even use a tool like Canva to personalize your background.  
 
  • Headline: Your headline defaults to your current job title and company name. Since this is a high-value space, I suggest personalizing this text based on your LinkedIn goals. For example, if you're job searching, consider including your target job title and your most relevant skills. Keep in mind that when you comment on someone's post, they will see your name and the first part of your headline. Overall, the keywords in your headline impact your findability on LinkedIn.
       
  • Experience: List your recent work experiences and share a few details on each role. For each job, fill in the required fields, including your dates of employment. For the description, include a sentence or two about what you did and keywords to highlight your skills further. Consider focusing on your last 10-15 years of work experience.
 
  • ​Education: Include the schools attended and degrees earned. I suggest leaving off years since they may cause people to speculate on your age or form opinions on your experience level. Adding schools attended here is a great starting point for connecting with others who attended those institutions. 

​Your LinkedIn Profile: Next Level

Here are a few ways to make your LinkedIn profile even more impactful: 

  • ​​About Section: The About section is at the top of your LinkedIn profile and gives you a chance to tell. If you're job searching, this is a great place to include details about who you are and what you are looking for in your next role. You also have room to add additional bullet points if you like. Write this in the first person (using “I” language) and further showcase who you are professionally. 
 
  • Customize Your Profile URL: By default, your LinkedIn profile's URL (web address) will be long and not very meaningful. You can customize your URL to make it friendly. I suggest using some version of your name. This minor update will look more professional on your resume—and make your profile easier to find. 
 
  • Emojis: While you don't want to add too many cutesy emojis, using these tiny graphics is a nice way to break up longer bodies of text. Using a unique graphic for a bulleted list, an envelope next to your email address, or a splash of color to divide up long bodies of text, you can leverage emojis to liven up your profile and posts. 
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  • Skills: Within LinkedIn, you can select up to 50 skills that will be included on your profile. This is another great opportunity to look at keywords you commonly see in job listings for your target role. For added impact, you can indicate which skills you used in the experience section, too. 

What Do You Think?

What information do you include on your LinkedIn profile and why? What details do you skip and for what reason? Share your thoughts in the comments. 

Learn More

  • ​How To Customize Your LinkedIn Profile URL
  • How to Add and Remove Skills on Your LinkedIn Profile
  • ​​How The LinkedIn Algorithm Works
  • 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 Job Search Rejection

3/31/2026

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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

Rejection and Negative Emotions

Searching for a new role is a rough process riddled with rejection, which is never pleasant.

If you're in a post-layoff career transition, It starts with your former employer kicking you out of the whole company and, in essence, saying, “You are no longer one of us.” At every step of the way, you’ll experience people telling you no in a variety of ways--and it hits hard since you're navigating so much uncertainty and so many life changes. 

Even if you are currently employed, job searching and the associated rejection is still no picnic. You're also dealing with the uncertainty of knowing how long it will take to find something new and the challenge of doing good (enough) work at your current job while not knowing how long you'll be in limbo. 

Here is how that rejection may look.

 Applying for a job and:

  • Hearing the booming emptiness of no reply at all.
  • Receiving a rejection email in what feels like moments after hitting submit. 
  • Seeing that role repeatedly reposted as if to say, “We can’t find anyone—but certainly not you.” 

Having what felt like a great interview for a job and:

  • Hearing a fat lot of nothing back. Ever.
  • Finding out the job is on hold, they made an internal hire, or they went with another candidate.
  • Receiving a canned “thanks, but no thanks” email months after your last conversation.

Receiving a job offer and:

  • Seeing that the pay rate is significantly below the salary range you had discussed.
  • After a long delay, receiving an offer with the demand that you accept immediately and start right away. 
  • Wishing it was from another company for a different role.

Accepting a job offer and:

  • Hearing nothing from your new employer about the details of your first week. 
  • Getting a last-minute call from the recruiter that your start date has been postponed. 
  • Having the offer rescinded due to company changes.

​The Necessity of Experiencing Your Emotions

Because of all of the uncertainty and rejection, this whole process can be a lot to bear. It’s hard to keep going when there are obstacles at every turn. Sometimes, even well-intentioned people who are genuinely trying to be supportive ask just the wrong question and make you feel even worse. 

It is paramount that you experience your emotions, then manage your mindset so you don’t let your feelings make the already complicated process of finding a new job even harder.

Coping Strategies

Here are a few ideas to help you work through the unpleasant emotions that will pop up during your quest for a new role. 

Acknowledge Each Emotion

Befriend your feelings. Don’t pretend that you don’t feel how you do. Name them, acknowledge them, and then move on. Pretending those unpleasant feelings don’t exist will not make them disappear. Instead, it may silence them for a bit, but they will pop up later, usually at the worst possible time. Acknowledging each one will help them run their course–and also help you to increase your ability to manage the ups and downs of this process.

Wallow a Little

It’s impossible to will yourself into feeling better. Sometimes, you need to just sit with an uncomfortable feeling for a while and let it run its course. Cry a little. Rewatch your favorite movie for the bijillionth time. Have a little ice cream. Do a puzzle. Take a walk. Take the afternoon off from your to-do list. Some will run their course more quickly than others. 

Research The Problem 

​If you’re worried about something, researching answers and managing your expectations often helps. How many job applications does it typically take to get an interview? How long does it take most people to find a new role post-layoff? Which companies are hiring? You'll probably feel a little better by researching options, clarifying goals, and taking useful action.

​Even if you don’t find a complete solution, you at least know more. Having added knowledge will help you worry less or at least direct your worry toward taking productive action that will help you solve a problem.

Take a Social Media Break

Social media, specifically LinkedIn, can be a great job search tool. Unfortunately, it can also give you the illusion that everyone else is doing great and you are downright hopeless. Posts like “It only took me a week to find my dream job,” or "I just got an awesome job (aka the one you were interviewing for)," “I’m still employed but I feel SO BAD for my former coworkers who are jobless,” or “Every company ever is doing more layoffs (which means more competition for each job)” will only make you feel worse. Remind yourself that social media isn’t real life and disengage. 

Leverage Basic Self Care

When everything feels hard, taking care of yourself needs to be your top priority. Here are a few quick and easy ideas to make you feel almost instantly better: 
  • Breathe.
  • Drink water. 
  • Eat regularly.
  • Rest.
  • Shower.
  • Take a break.
  • Move your body.
  • Go outside.

Learn More

  • ​Podcast Appearance: Unfiltered Unspoken Connecting Through Life Experiences: Finding Hope After Layoffs, Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady
  • 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

3/24/2026

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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).

Overall, my biggest reccommendation is to err on the side of applying for jobs that look interesting and having a more robust conversation about working arrangements during the interview process. 

Remote Work Implications: Locations and Pay

There are also a few other implications of remote work to keep in mind:
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  • 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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Using LinkedIn To Identify Your Career Keywords

3/17/2026

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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

The Challenge: Describing What You Do

Whether you're searching for a new role or thinking about your professional development, not having the right words to describe your skillset can hinder your progress. Identifying your career keywords will help you create effective messaging for your LinkedIn profile, resume, conversations with colleagues, and other written communications like email and social media posts. 

Where To Start: LinkedIn and Keywords

Here is my recommendation for how to begin gathering keywords that align with your chosen profession:

  • Identify a job title that interests you.
  • On LinkedIn, search for job openings for that job title. Make a note of the specific variations on job titles you see in your search results.
  • On LinkedIn, save 5 or more jobs that resonate with you. 
  • Make a list of the 10 top skills for 3 or more of those roles you saved. 
  • Identify which keywords you saw more than once and look for trends.
  • Make special note of keywords that resonate with you. Keep a running list of terms and update it as you encounter new terminology. 

Let me take you through an example.

Search for Your Target Job Title

I searched LinkedIn's Jobs section for Business Partner Organizational Development in the United States. From the results, I selected ten currently open positions to review further (because I'm an overachiever like that). Here are those job titles:
​
  1. ​Director, People Experience
  2. Lead People Business Partner
  3. Learning and Development Business Partner
  4. Organizational Development Partner
  5. Organizational Development Program Manager
  6. People Business Partner
  7. People Business Partner Director
  8. People Partner
  9. Principle People Business Partner
  10. Senior People Success Partner

Lesson Learned: When you search for a job title, your results will include a variety of titles different companies use. Be sure to review the job description to learn more about what that company expects from that role. The duties for the same job title might vary widely from company to company, as might the terminology they use to describe it.

Identifying Skills and Keywords

Total Number of Different Skills Returned for All Ten Jobs
For the 10 jobs I reviewed, 69 different skills were included in the results. For context, if all roles had the exact same skills, this number would be 10. If all of the roles had different skills, this number would be 100. 

Lesson Learned: ​Not only will job titles vary across organizations, but what skills they value can also differ.  Be sure to review the job description to learn more about what skills the company thinks will help make someone in that role successful. 

Specific Skills Returned For More Than One Job
Several skills came up more than once across those ten jobs. Here is the number of times a specific skill appeared for more than one role:
​
  • Communication: 6
  • Human Resources: 6
  • Employee Relations: 6
  • Employee Engagement: 4
  • Problem Solving: 4
  • Talent Management: 3
  • Confidentiality: 2
  • Group Facilitation: 2
  • Organizational Development: 2
  • Succession Planning: 2
  • Teamwork: 2
  • Workforce Planning: 2
  • Written Communication: 2

Lesson Learned: ​Even if there is not widespread agreement on the terminology used across organizations, some keywords will show up more often. Consider including popular keywords in your skills section on your LinkedIn profile and in your resume.

Different Keywords for Similar Skills 
While specific keywords like "communication" and "problem solving" appeared more than once within the 10 job descriptions, several related terms might be included instead. Here are a few groups of terms that take different approaches to describing similar concepts:
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  • Succession Planning, Workforce Planning, Talent Strategy
  • Communication, Written Communication, Interpersonal Communication
  • Build Strong Relationships, Relationship Building, Relationship Development
  • Consultation, Consultative Approach, Influencing Others
  • Facilitation, Group Facilitation, Presentations,
  • Flexible Approach, Free Thinking, Problem Solving
  • Performance Planning, Performance Consulting, Performance Review
  • Confidentiality, Sensitive Information, HR Policies

Lesson Learned: When you look at the groupings of keywords, you can see the broader areas where roles like this would operate. Each company may use slightly different terminology regarding the skills that they value. When you talk about the work you do, consider weaving some of these words into your stories. 

What Do You Think?

How do you identify the right keywords to use to describe what you do? How could you loop in AI into this process? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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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Examining Your Energy to Fight Burnout

3/10/2026

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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

Energy Management Beats Time Management

Many people equate productivity with making progress on a task list. When you're going through a trying time, everything can feel harder. Whether you are navigating family drama, work burnout, or a post-layoff job search, there will be times when you can't just "buckle down" and get things done--no matter how efficient your to-do list is. Managing your energy levels, not just your ever-growing task list is the key to making progress. 

Reflect on Your Time and Your Energy

As you think about how to spend your time, learn about yourself and when you will be the most productive and happiest with each activity. I interact with LinkedIn posts during my first cup of coffee, enjoy afternoon walks, and do yoga at night before bed. There are no absolute right or wrong times for many things, just ones that are a better fit for you. 

Your Most and Least Productive Times of Day

Take time to reflect on your most and least productive times. Use these questions as a starting point: 
​
  • Are you a morning person, a night person, or somewhere in between?
  • What time of day do you seem to get the most done?
  • Do you think about something for a while before doing it, or do you jump right in?
  • What tasks take you very little time? What tasks seem to take a long time?
  • Do you prefer to work on the same task for while? Or do you prefer switching between tasks regularly? 
  • How much structured time do you need? How much unstructured time do you need?

​Remember, there are no right or wrong answers, just what is true for you.

Factors Influencing Your Energy Levels

In addition, reflect on the following factors and their impact on your energy levels:
  • ​How do you feel when you have too much or too little social contact?
  • How do you feel when you have too much or too little time at home? 
  • How do you feel when you have too many or too few new experiences?
  • How do you feel when you have too much or too little routine?

​Remember, there are no right or wrong answers, just what is true for you.​

Patterns for Energy Builders and Energy Depleters

Based on your responses to those questions, you may have identified factors that energize you and those that deplete you. 

  • For me, I am energized by having enough alone time, having time to think about a task before doing it, and having a balance of unstructured and structured time. 
  • I also know that I am depleted when I have too much structured time, too little time at home, and too many new experiences all at once. 

Knowing these things about myself helps me know how to organize my time to maximize my energy.  Letting family and friends know what I need also helps them understand and support me as I work towards my goals. 

Self Care Builds Energy

After you identify your energy depleters, here are a few steps you can take to build your energy:

  • Basic self-care: eating, drinking water, showering, walking outside, breathing deeply, and stretching can help make you feel better almost immediately. 
  • Accomplishing something: sending an email, making a phone call, paying a bill, or wiping down your kitchen counters will help you feel like you made even the most minor contribution to the world today. There is something inherently satisfying about crossing one task off of your list.
  • Changing it up: taking breaks, going to a different grocery store, walking in a new place, driving a different route as you run errands, working from your kitchen table, or doing whatever you can to add newness to your daily routine.
  • Recovering: sleeping, walking in nature, watching a movie you’ve seen before, reflecting on your day, playing games, journaling, and meditating are all great ways to heal.

Leverage Your Energy To Achieve More

When I identify my energy patterns and take steps to recover when needed, I have more capacity. Having my energy in a good place helps me accomplish more in less time. Then, I can leverage my to-do lists and make real progress towards my goals.

Learn More

  • The Layoff Lady: The Secret To Time Management
  • ​​Podcast Appearance: Unfiltered Unspoken Connecting Through Life Experiences: Finding Hope After Layoffs, Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady
  • 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

3/3/2026

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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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Career Planning: Figuring Out What You Want To Be Next

2/24/2026

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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

What Do You Want To Be Next?

We often ask children, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” As an adult thinking about your future, it’s time to ask yourself, “What do I want to be next?” Whether you are lookinh got your first professional role, in a post-layoff career transition, or you're employed and contemplating your future, it's always a good time to think about what you want from your professional life going forward.

Shouldn't I Just Take What I Can Get?

As a job seeker who is unhappy with their current situation, I understand the tendency to feel like you are in no position to be picky. However, when I talk with job searchers having difficulty landing a new role, not having a focus for their job search actually slows their progress considerably.

​Most of the time, employers are less likely to hire someone who wants what I would call “any old job.” Most companies would rather hire a person who genuinely wants to do a specific type of work, has the necessary skills, and is targeting an identified role. One of the best things you can do for the success of your job search is to figure out what you really want to do, then use your resume and LinkedIn profile to promote yourself as a match for your desired role. 

Take a Beat

When you're not currently employed and nervous about your future, it's natural to think, “I need a job as quickly as possible.”  or to skip thinking altogether and seek out exactly the same job you had before. It’s not that you can’t seek the same type of work—because you can. Just make sure to reconfirm with yourself that you are going toward a role you want. Here are ideas for how to go about that process. ​

Reflect on Your Values

A good starting point is thinking about what really matters to you in life and how you express those values. 

Personally, I also find that it's challenging to think of the right words to articulate those high-level ideas that matter to you.  I discovered the think2perform Online Values Exercise at a previous job when I was designing a retirement planning seminar. Since thinking about your money (or your work, for that matter) starts with what you care about on a larger scale, this is a great starting point. Personally, I take this assessment on at least an annual basis because the process helps me revisit my values in general and helps me more thoughtfully talk about what I do and why I do it.

The assessment itself includes 51 named value cards and 4 rounds of reviewing the cards. The total time to complete this activity is about 15 minutes, and perhaps more, depending on how much contemplation you do during the process. You also have the option to add your own values as needed. In the end, you'll have 5 value cards with descriptions that name and describe key areas that matter to you. 

After you identify your top 5 values, think about how you live those values in your life and how you would like to express those values in your work. Use these as your guideposts as you move on to the next steps. ​

Identify Your Work Strengths

The CliftonStrengths Assessment (previously known as Clifton StrengthsFinder) is a wonderful tool for identifying what you are good at, how that manifests, and how your version of each strength shows up. It not only helps you identify your top strengths but also gives you language to talk about skills you didn't even realize everyone else didn't have.

To access this assessment, you can purchase the StrengthsFinder 2.0 Book (which includes a code for the new CliftonStrengths Online Assessment) or you can directly pay for and access the CliftonStrengths Top 5 Assessment on Gallup.com. Either option should cost around $25 for the basic assessment and results, with the option to purchase additional assessments or training based on your level of interest. 
​
The 30-minute online assessment includes 177 questions including paired statements. On a scale you select which of the statements is more like you. From there, you'll receive a report identifying your top five strengths along with a more detailed description of how those strengths are exhibited in how you interact with the world. Reading a report about yourself (one that is freakishly accurate, by the way) is downright life changing.

After taking the assessment, you'll be able to see your unique talents and have language to explain how what you do sets you apart from others. Having a way to put your abilities into words can translate directly into your resume, and how you talk about who you are and what you bring to the table.

Reflect on Roles and Identify What You Want

Think about your previous jobs and life experiences and reflect on what you liked and didn't like. As yourself the following questions and write down your answers:
​
  • What field or fields would you like to work in?
  • What job titles might be a good fit for you?
  • Are you interested in a full time, part time, contract, or freelance job?
  • How many hours do you want to work a week?
  • What size of company or industry would you like to work for?
  • Would you like a manager role, individual contributor role, or player/coach role (doing both)?
  • What work hours and schedule would you prefer?
  • What salary would you like?
  • How much time off would you like?
  • Would you like to work in-person, part in-person and part remotely (hybrid), or all remote?
  • How many miles/lengths of time would you be comfortable commuting? How often would you want to commute?
  • Would you like to travel for work? If so, how often over what period of time? Driving or flying travel? What travel percentage is ideal for you?
  • What benefits are important to you? What would be nice to have?
  • What focus area(s) would you like to have?
  • What skills would you like to be able to use on a regular basis?
  • What day-to-day activities would you like to do?
  • What do you want the role of your work to be in your life?
  • What is on your “oh hell no” list?

Talk To People In Roles of Interest

One helpful way to find out more about possible career options is to talk to people who are currently in those roles.  By reaching out to individuals in your professional network and asking them to put you in touch with people they know who could help, you can make new connections and find out more. This will help you start to bridge the distance between your skills, and possible job titles and companies that might be a good fit for you. 

Learn More

  • The Layoff Lady: Learning About Yourself to Talk About Your Strengths
  • The Layoff Lady: Learning About Yourself to Tell Your Story: Values
  • ​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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Talking To All The People About Your Layoff

2/17/2026

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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

Managing Curious and Well-Intentioned People

​One of the hardest things about being laid off is telling other people about it--specifically fielding their uninvited questions. I'm not talking about work people or your professional network, either. I'm talking about the family friend you run into at the grocery store, that parent you went to a PTA meeting with once, seldom-seen relatives at a holiday gathering, and the neighbor you pass by only occaisionally. Worse yet, it is interacting with a group of well-intentioned people who express their curiosity, worry, and opinions regarding your wellbeing. 

Here are a few suggested talking points for managing those conversations that pop up at just the wrong time.

Getting Your Patter Down

After you've chatted with your inner circle, it’s time to think about addressing this topic with everyone else. This includes people who make random comments about your situation, those who don't really know how layoffs work, and the ones who genuinely want to help but may not have the best advice. These conversations may be rough, especially if you feel vulnerable. Your goal may be to get through the awkwardness and move on to other topics.  

To prepare, it is helpful to know how to respond. Here are a few suggestions for talking points to get you through. 

Talking About Your Current State and Plans

  • You were not fired, discarded, cut loose, or shitcanned. These words imply that you did something terrible enough to get fired or that you’re mad because something awful was done to you. 
  • You were laid off, your job ended, your position was eliminated, or you were part of a company-wide reduction in force. It is just a thing that happened, and now you don’t work at the place where you worked before.
    ​
  • You are not unemployed, between jobs, an ex-employee of Big Important Tech Company, or a big giant loser.​​
  • You are in transition, in career transition, searching for your next great role, or looking for the job that is the right next step for you.​ 

Talking About The Job You No Longer Have

The question: I heard you’re unemployed. What happened there!

Your core message: 
My job ended. It is a thing that happened. 
  • I was part of a company-wide reduction in force at ABC Lending. My job ended on Tuesday.
  • I was part of a layoff. About 500 of us were part of the reduction in force when the company restructured. That happened earlier this week.
  • I was one of the 1000 people who had their position eliminated at XYZ company. It happened earlier this month.
  • I got laid off. It happened a bit ago.
  • My job ended recently, along with about a hundred others at the company.

Talking About What Is Next For You

The question: What are you going to do now? I would be freaking out! 
Or
​I’d be scared to death if I were you. Are you sure you’ll be okay?
Or 
​A person I sort of know lost their house/was unemployed for years/had to take a pay cut/never worked again.
​
Your core message: I’m going to keep on keeping on and also look for a new job.​
  • ​I’ve had some time to think about it, and I know my next steps.
  • I’ve made friends with the change, and I’m working towards my next role.
  • I am worried, but I know I’ll be okay. I have a plan.
  • It can be stressful, but I’m going to do the right things, and it will work out.
  • I’m making a plan for what to do next.

Talking About STILL Not Having a Job

The question: So--do you have a job yet? 
Or
Are you STILL unemployed?
Or 
Did that thing you were interviewing for work out?
​
Your core message: I am job searching and something will work out. 
  • I'm talking to a few companies, and I'm sure something will work out soon.
  • No, but I'm hopeful.
  • I’m working on my next steps.
  • Finding a job can take a while. I’m making progress toward something new. 

Acknowledging People's Reassurances

The question/comment: Don’t worry. It’ll be fine. Hang in there! You’re so talented!

​Your response: Thanks. 

Addressing Well Intentioned and/or Awful Advice

The comments:
  • You should just get a job as a bus driver/multi-level marketing scheme salesperson/sign spinner!
  • You should hold out for a better job than you’ve ever had where you get all the vacation/all the money/are the ruler of the free world!
  • You should go back to school/start your own consulting company/have a baby/adopt many cats/quit working altogether.
  • You should downsize your house/sell your car/auction your jewelry/maybe get a yurt/live in a box outside your mom’s house.

Your core message:
 I appreciate you. I will make the right decision for me.
  • Thank you for your suggestions. I’m figuring out what is right for me.
  • I definitely have options. I'm figuring out my next steps.
  • Thank you for your insights. I have a plan for what to do.

Learn More

  • ​Podcast Appearance: Unfiltered Unspoken Connecting Through Life Experiences: Finding Hope After Layoffs, Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady
  • 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 Emotional Side of a Layoff

2/10/2026

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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

All The Feels

Whether due to an economic downturn, an acquisition, or a company reorganization, layoffs happen all the time. Each person will experience a range of emotions when it happens to them. Even for someone who has gone through a layoff before, it is a tumultuous experience each and every time. Here is the good, the bad, and the ugly of the feelings people often experience surrounding an unplanned job loss.  

Shock

The phone call from HR, the perp walk through the office to the dreaded conference room, the last-minute ominous meeting invite, or the oddly timed tap on the shoulder all seem to come out of nowhere. There is something surreal about being pulled into a virtual or in-person room and having someone look you dead in the eye and tell you that you are going to go through a significant life change starting, well, now.
​
Even if there were layoff rumors, news about leadership changes, or low sales reported for the quarter, it’s always a surprise on the date and time when layoffs go down. It’s the feeling of the ground being pulled out from under you. It’s the gap between expecting a full day of meetings and finding yourself in your car mid-morning with a white box.

Anger

Even if you were actively looking for a new role, a certain amount of anger goes along with a layoff. It could be frustrating learning about the people who didn’t get laid off (like that guy whose messes you've been cleaning up for the last year) and comparing your perceived value to theirs.

It could be irritation at the timing (right after vacation, right before a holiday) and how that makes finding something new an even longer process. It might be the insult to injury when you realize that yesterday’s mission-critical work-all-night project has become irrelevant. In many cases, it might just be the maddening nature of someone else deciding when you don't get to do that job anymore instead of you getting to choose when it was time. Feeling that lack of control can be the most challenging part.

Sadness

Exiting a job abruptly leaves a big hole in your life, starting with a 9+ hour workday being replaced with dead air and uncertainty. People who earlier that day were coworkers, casual work friendships, or confidants now may be nothing at all now that you no longer share an employer.  

​The consistency of a morning routine, daily commute, and regularly scheduled meetings are replaced with a battle with the unknown that may last a week or a year. Sometimes, it’s easy to be hopeful about the future, and other times, it’s hard not to be mired in sadness about all the things you can’t control.

Fear

There is plenty to be afraid of. First, the idea of not having a paycheck is horrifying. Not knowing how long your severance check has to last is unnerving. Not having any idea how long your jobless period will last and what job you’ll end up with is sometimes unbearable.

​You may fear being unemployed endlessly and not being able to support yourself. You might worry about panicking and taking the first job offered to you. You could worry about holding out for something closer to the “perfect” job that may never come. You may even fear you will never get a job as good as the one you just had. On the worst days, when fear has given way to full-on catastrophizing, you could worry that you will lose your house, car, professional reputation, and everyone you've ever loved.

Relief

Here's the one that might seem unexpected. If you've been at a company and "made it" through multiple rounds of layoffs, you may be waiting for your luck to run out.  While you're certainly relieved to still be employed, each time you hear rumblings about reorganizations or start seeing those empty white dots pop up on Microsoft Teams, you may have had that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach waiting for it to be your turn.

The strange benefit of finally being laid off is that you don't have to worry if it will happen (and when) because it just happened. At that moment, you also realize it's not as bad as you imagined, and now what there is to do is pick yourself up and create your fantastic new future. 

The Good News

Through the tumult of emotions, it’s important to acknowledge each one and process those feelings. From there, you can think about what is next for you and focuson your next steps toward the next right job for you. 

Learn More

  • ​Podcast Appearance: Unfiltered Unspoken Connecting Through Life Experiences: Finding Hope After Layoffs, Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady
  • 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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An Unlikely Day of Reflection

2/3/2026

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Looking Back

There are several days each year when people typically look back and assess their lives. This could be the anniversary of a death, a holiday full of memories, or your birthday. For me, the day I reflect is Groundhog Day.

February 2, 2006

Early in 2006, my life was at a crossroads. My then-husband and I were in the process of getting divorced, and I was figuring out how to transition from a house to two houses and what co-parenting my 2-year-old daughter would be like. The one shred of stability I had was my job. I was happy to have one thing I could count on not changing.

…and then February 2 happened.

That morning, I went to work. I took a few minutes between meetings to create a spreadsheet to figure out if I could afford to buy a condo I’d looked at the night before on my own. As I saved my file, I got a tap on the shoulder that I had an impromptu meeting. I grabbed a pen and a legal pad and walked into a conference room full of executives who informed me that my position was eliminated due to restructuring because of the company being acquired.

Welcome to layoff #2.

​I was in shock. I returned to my desk, deleted my spreadsheet (which had just become irrelevant), told my coworker Brad “I’m gone,” and found myself sitting in my car with a box containing all of my formerly workly possessions.


From the parking lot of my ex-workplace, I called my soon-to-be ex-husband to tell him about my now ex-job.  His only response was, “Huh.”

Then, It Got A Little Worse

That weekend, I was on a road trip to visit some of my high school friends for a fun weekend of reminiscing and going to the Snowflake Ski Jump. On my way there, a local cop pulled me over for speeding. As I sat there, I glanced at the notification I’d just received from unemployment sitting in my passenger seat—the one that said I’d receive less money than the last time I’d been laid off—meaning I wouldn’t be bringing enough money in to cover my half of the mortgage. As the officer approached my window, I could feel the tears well up. I could not get a ticket, too. I would cry (as I often heard people threaten to do), but this was no empty threat that would come to bear only through theatrics. I was legit going to fall apart if this happened.
​
This moment—sitting in the car with indications of my life failures greatest hits smacking me in the face was a low point in my life—rivaled only by my dad’s unexpected death when I was still in high school.​

Then, It Got a Little Better

Fortunately, I think because of my street cred, which included being a native of a town nearby, I drove away ticket free. One thing had gone okay. Then I saw friends, connected with new people, and spent more time with my daughter. I also had the time and space to figure out what to do with myself now.

The Transition Begins

It was an ugly, ugly few months.

I applied for countless jobs. I put our house up for sale. My daughter’s dad (new language from the book Mom’s House, Dad’s House) and I decided to move in tandem to Minneapolis, Minnesota from Madison, Wisconsin. I looked for jobs, made business connections, and stayed with friends on the way to and from my regular trips to Minneapolis. I didn’t sleep well for months. A tree fell down in my front yard the day of my open house, so I figured out how to have a giant tree removed while driving on I-90 back home from a job interview. 

That May, I found a job, a preschool for my daughter, a new place to live, and reconnected with one of my best friends from high school. Later, my daughter's dad found a job and moved to Minneapolis, along with his new girlfriend (a lovely person and good to my daughter).

Then, to mix it up, I totaled my car, dated and broke up with a couple of people, and got Shingles three times in a row. Some days, after work, I would lie on my floor and look at the ceiling in my apartment, my low-cost therapy as I acclimated to all of the life changes. I adjusted to my new normal after going through every significant life change (save a death in the family and someone I love going to prison) I could think of to endure. 

Then, It Kept Getting Better

In October, on the same day, I was approved for a car loan and found out that my house in Madison had new owners. Over time, I made two great friends from my job and got comfortable in a new city. I started dating someone who was great, then bought a house with and married that guy--who is an awesome stepdad and cat dad.

I got laid off again and got another good job, then got laid off again and got an even better job. Things have gone pretty well through layoffs, reemployments, trials and tribulations​. Through it all, my husband is awesome, my now-adult daughter is amazing, and the cats mostly tolerate my presence. 

A Frame of Reference for Gratitude

Sometimes, I see people who are unhappy with what they have. The strange upside of having gone through rough times is that it gives you a frame of reference. It reminds me to be grateful for the roof over our heads, my husband playing video games with our two cats in his lap, my healthy, happy daughter, and an ongoing stream of new challenges and adventures. 

I’m grateful for being active, able-bodied, and having a strong sense of well-being. I am grateful for winter heat, summer air conditioning, and all the machines that do my housework. I treasure mother/daughter movie nights, trips to the skating rink, and building relationships with new friends and colleagues. I value my roller derby skates, my outside roller skates, and my inline skates. I appreciate my cats, Zippy and Meathook, and the combination of disdain and affection they have for me.  I am genuinely grateful for it all. Groundhog Day is my annual reminder to remember all these things.

Learn More

  • Book: Mom’s House, Dad’s House: Making Two Homes for Your Child
  • Psych Central: Top 10 Life-Stressors That Can Trigger Anxiety
  • Podcast Appearance: Unfiltered Unspoken Connecting Through Life Experiences: Finding Hope After Layoffs, Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady
  • 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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