Tips for Navigating Career Transitions After Layoffs

Here are 5 tips that helped me rebound after layoff 2 years ago: 1) I posted about my layoff on LinkedIn, but I was very precise about what I was good at, what I was looking for, and where (location) I was open to working ("I'm a senior-level technical and non-technical recruiter, specializing in full-cycle candidate engagement and closing, who ... blah blah blah... located close to Seattle, open to remote, hybrid or onsite within 30 miles of Seattle metro!"). Not "hey everyone, I am looking for something new, if you see anything, let me know!"... that is way too general, so nobody will let you know 😂 everyone is too busy looking out for themselves. 2) I applied for roles "below" my experience level. I got a bunch of action by applying for contract, less-senior, non-senior, etc just to get conversations started and my foot in the door. In fact, originally the role I interviewed with for Reddit was contract, and they ended up being impressed with my interviews and created an FTE, senior role that mapped exactly to what I was looking for. So glad I took that first call and just kept the conversation going. You never know... 3) I applied for jobs in very high volume, and I knew my conversion rates (read on for what this means!). Since most of apps seem to go in a black hole, I looked at my conversion rates of applications to phone screens/interviews/offers and adjusted my application rate up. If it takes 500 applications to get 3 phone interviews, and 3 phone interviews to get 2 final interviews, and 2 final interviews to get to 1 offer, then in order to get 3 offers, 2 of which might be really 💩 , I need to apply to 1500 jobs. 4) I reached out to former colleagues, I reached out to my friends, I let my family know about my search (and had my resume attached to my messages). I asked for referrals to roles I found at their companies. I also tried to ask how they are doing, and what I could do for them, too... and then I (nicely!) followed up with them if I didn't hear back, or if they said they would refer me and forgot. A nice follow-up is appreciated... people get busy! 5) I worked at my job search full-time. There seem to be diminishing returns on efforts after a certain point in a search for many folks? So I made my job search my 8am-5pm full-time job, just like when I was in the office. I did take breaks, but TBH I worked to the point of near-burnout in my job search. But the effort paid off with multiple offers. *I know that the market is even tougher now, and I was lucky to be laid off before the tech market slid as much as it has. I will say, the folks who employ tactic #s 2, 3 & 5 especially seem to rebound quickly, from my experience with coaching job seekers pretty consistently since March of 2020 (for free, and no I am not selling services, sorry!).

A layoff is not the same as a medical emergency. But too many people panic like it is. Over the last few years, I've supported many people in navigating a layoff. Here's what I'd do if I faced a layoff: 1️⃣ Pause and get clear ↳ Reflect on recent accomplishments and write down specific wins with measurable outcomes. This becomes the foundation of your story. ↳ Identify what drained you in your last role, whether it was tasks, communication styles, or team dynamics. These patterns matter more than job titles. ↳ List 2–3 non-negotiables for your next role. These will become your filter moving forward. 2️⃣ Update my positioning ↳ Rework your LinkedIn headline and resume to match the roles you actually want, using keywords from the job descriptions you're excited about. ↳ Update your “About” section to reflect who you help, how you help them, and what kind of challenges you solve. ↳ Make sure your target job titles show up on your resume, LinkedIn, and “Open to Work” settings so you show up in the right searches. 3️⃣ Start real conversations ↳ Make a list of 10 people in your network who are close to the function or industry you're targeting. Reach out with the goal of learning, not pitching. ↳ Ask thoughtful questions about their path, what they’ve noticed in the market, and what they’ve seen work. ↳ These conversations won’t just open doors, they’ll give you language, clarity, and momentum. When everything feels uncertain, clarity is your power. Use it to rebuild on your terms.

I was laid off twice, including once 3 days after adopting my first child. Now we are seeing mass layoffs of government workers. Tariff turmoil promises more change. Whether you are in the government or not, here is some advice and help. First, for government employees, recognize that you likely have skills that are valuable in the private sector. If looking for other government opportunities is impossible or undesirable for you at this time, take time to think about how you can frame your experience and skills for private companies. Then, make sure these skills are highlighted on your resume. Second, build and leverage your network. Reach out to contacts from your industry who have either come from, or switched to, working in the private sector. Ask them about their experiences making the switch and learn from them. If you have a strong relationship with them and they work somewhere you would like to work, ask them for a referral. Third, when you get an interview, be prepared to explain why you were laid off. Hiring managers want to know this information so they can assess the risk associated with hiring you. Luckily, if you are part of mass layoffs related to federal policy decisions, it’s unlikely anyone will suspect poor personal performance. Regardless, do this: → Tell the truth quickly and concisely — “I was affected by the large layoffs within department/project X.” → Transition the topic to a positive, forward-looking statement about what you will contribute. “ In the public sector, I specialized in X. Now, I’m excited to learn Y at your company. I love to learn (grow, contribute, etc.), and I’m excited about this new opportunity with you.” → Bring the conversation back to what skills and impact you’ll bring to the company. Fourth (and especially important now), never badmouth your old boss, company, or employer in an interview. This includes the federal government. You may hate Trump, Elon Musk, and DOGE, but an interview is not the place for political fury. You never know who your interviewer supports, and you don’t want to alienate them. Even if they agree with you, no one wants to hire someone angry. They want to hire someone who’s motivated to help them. To help anyone who needs a new job, I'm discounting my two relevant classes by 50% ($150 rather than $299): Leadership Networking" and "Leadership Resumes That Get Results." Both classes are highly rated and have delivered proven value to many past students. Our motivation is to help those hit hard in layoffs, but this discount is available to anyone. It is valid for the next 10 days. Leadership Networking (use code NETWORKNOW at checkout): https://buff.ly/dOBvJnU Leadership Resume (use code LEADERSHIPRESUME at checkout): https://buff.ly/2DzEVK4 Readers — if you know someone who needs help finding a job, please forward this to them. And if you have a good tip or approach for displaced government employees, share it!

I had coffee with someone who wondered how I could be so productive and positive after such an exhausting experience. They’ve been out of work two months before me; I understood the weariness in her typically youthful face and the sadness of her voice. I explained this is the second time in 27 years being part of a management misalignment, re-org/layoff. I remember so vividly the shock and paralysis in 2008. No one says it’s normal to feel like you’re in a haze, you’re angry, you’re hurt. It’s grief and that is normal. I gave her 4 steps that I took to recover and these 4 steps became muscle memory everytime I transitioned from one place to another thereafter. The same 4 steps will save you emotional pain when you know your compass, aka your core values, are being tested or misaligned. - first, start with your why. Why do you work? Why did you want to work there? Why this job? Why this career? - second, what. What did you bring to the team? What did they give you/or what did you learn? What would you do again? What would you do without? What are your non-negotiables? - third, assess. Spend one week assessing if you are up to speed with the market, latest trends in industry, familiar with the newest tools. Go toe to toe with the job descriptions and evaluate yourself. Then get acquainted with the stuff that is missing. Webinars, free conferences, LinkedIn Learning, Coursera + certifications. As you are applying + interviewing, keep learning and apply what you are learning to the conversations. Building your own plane and flying it at the same time; businesses do it all the time! - fourth, create your compass. What motivates you to get up and work? And what do you need to see/feel/hear to be excited about aligning your personal brand with theirs? How will you know if what they say rings true for you? What kind of environment do you need to thrive in? Then use these answers to sort through the jobs, use these answers to reframe your resume, use these answers to refine your networking skills and use these answers to interview opportunities for your career prospects. Use these answers to dissuade your negative thoughts and the people around you who might not understand your compass.

Today, there will be another round of mass layoffs in the federal government - people who have dedicated their lives to public service who will suddenly have the rug pulled out from under them. So here are a few tips for folks impacted by these layoffs, or any others. 1. Take time to breathe/grieve That can of course be hard to do when you're stressed or anxious about what's next but giving yourself even a few days to process will probably pay off in the long-run. It's hard to put your best foot forward when you're still spiraling and processing your experience. I also wanted to note that studies show that a layoff or termination can be as traumatic as a divorce for many people - it's very normal for this experience to feel jarring, and you're not alone or weird. It's not "just a job" when your livelihood is attached to it. 2. Tap into your networks There's more help out there then you realize. Check out where your former colleagues are working - those can be good employers for your profile, and they can help with referrals. Your community groups and personal networks can be helpful - share your search in your local FB groups for example. People who know you are more likely to help then random strangers. 3. Use LinkedIn strategically - make sure your profile is up-to-date and engage with other people's posts/make your own posts occasionally which helps keep you visible. - your headline should make it very clear what you do (industry, job titles, etc.) - make a strong "open to work" post and turn on the banner - this will drive more traffic (and support!) to your post. Be prepared for a LOT of messages from resume writers/coaches/fake recruiters, but if you can cut through that noise, you'll likely get some helpful support as well. - consider how you post and engage - adding value and showing off your skills will probably do more to support your search then venting and negativity. 4. Educate yourself on the job market and best practices - government-style resumes don't work in the private sector - you can find templates and leverage an AI assistant or resume tool to help with converting to a more corporate style (2 pages, outcome-focused, etc) - get familiar market - it's tough right now! 94% of jobs added in June were in healthcare and local/state government so these may be areas to focus for example. - brush up on interview skills by familiarizing yourself with the STAR method and preparing some stories that show your impact - AI assistants can be helpful here. 5. Be prepared for a longer search Searches are often taking 6+ months. I suggest sticking to what you've done vs trying to pivot into something new, and focusing on on-site over remote to speed things up. If you can cut costs (cancel subscriptions, check with loan providers on forbearance options, etc.) or start a side hustle, that can help with navigating this period. P.S. Tons of relevant resources (mostly free!) at the top job search link if you go to "website" :)

As an executive recruiter, I've witnessed countless professionals transform unexpected layoffs into powerful career pivots. Here's your comprehensive guide for turning this challenge into an opportunity 📈 Immediate Actions (First 48 Hours): • Document everything from your termination meeting • Review severance package details thoroughly • Address healthcare coverage gaps • File for unemployment benefits • Archive important work samples and documentation • Connect with colleagues before losing access Next Steps: • Give yourself permission to process the change • Update your LinkedIn profile strategically • Review your financial position and timeline • Reflect on your career direction • Start networking with purpose Remember that a layoff is often more about company circumstances than individual performance. I've placed numerous executives who used their layoff as a catalyst for significant career advancement. This is your opportunity to: • Reassess your career trajectory • Target organizations aligned with your values • Build a more intentional professional network • Position yourself for roles that truly excite you The key is maintaining momentum while being strategic about your next move. Don't rush into the first opportunity - use this time to ensure your next role is a genuine step forward. Check out my newsletter for more insights here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju #executiverecruiter #eliterecruiter #jobmarket2025 #profoliosai #resume #jobstrategy #careerresilience

The first time I was fired was in 2013. The next day, I did exactly what I thought I was supposed to do, politely and aggressively started pinging my network, asking people to "keep on eye out for me" for the right job. And, that motion didn't work that well - I mean, I was having some fine conversations but they didn't go anywhere. And, as those conversations led to dead ends, I took it all personally, taking too long to realize I needed to change my thinking and approach. Just laid off? Here are a few things I've learned, the hard way: ⏭️ Your next job is going to come through your network, not cold applying. You should cold apply, you should put yourself out there, but it's only one approach not your entire strategy. So, what's your other strategy? 🛜 LinkedIn and the other socials are gonna be your best resources, but not necessarily your best friends. Aka, only you can prevent doom scrolling. 🖇️ Now's the time to get to know your network. Spend the time just going through friends, connections and followers. Be curious about "where people have been and where they are now". Make a list of who would be interesting to reach out to. 🫢 Only you can tell your career story. I remember working so hard to hide my layoff when calling folks. I mean, I was calling folks to talk about finding a job, but I could not say "I was laid off". And, I've learned that layoffs are powerful conversation starters if used the right way. 🤗 Reach out to people with intention. Be honest on why you're reaching out, your ask and what you have to give. FYI - Everyone has something to give. Example, see someone in your extended network that made a career pivot that's interesting, REACH OUT. Tell them "good job" on the career pivot, that it's something you're pursuing, and you'd love to learn from their journey. Flattery that is based in reality, almost always works. 🎁 If someone offers to help you, take them up on it. They mean it, but it's your job to make sure they can help you. Asking someone to "keep you in mind," is the easiest way to be forgotten. Instead, make an ask for a connection, a referral, a recommendation, or a promise to reconnect in a few weeks/months after you explored their advice. The worst that happens is they say no, they can't help. ☠️ Take the time to mourn your layoff. No one cares you were laid off, they care about how you show up next. I know I jumped into the search too quickly, and that haunted me during some of my interviews and networking, as we gossiped about the past vs. uncovering my future. As my friendship bracelet reads, "keep f*&king going." Reach out if I can help. #layoffs #pivot #pivotpeople #networking #relationshipworking

I was embarrassed that I lost my job. I was angry. I was ashamed. While other colleagues got to stay, I had to leave. Why? And for awhile, I didn’t want to tell anyone I had been let go. My pride got in the way. I didn’t want people knowing. I waited too long to ask for help. If I could go back in time, here’s what my post layoff action plan would look like: 1️⃣ Accept the layoff news Stop wondering why you and what you could have done differently. Why did others get to stay? Accept the decision to start moving forward and begin the grieving process. 2️⃣ Create a new routine You entire day won’t be filled looking for a job. Take breaks. Make sure to eat and hydrate. Exercise. Read a book. Go for walks. Sit in the stillness and clear your mind. 3️⃣ Start updating your resume Focus on including metrics and key accomplishments. Cost savings, time saved, targets exceeded. Go through old performance reviews if you can. Ask a friend to review it and be open to the feedback. 4️⃣ Ask for help Tell your family, friends, neighbors, alumni network, parents of your kids’ friends- tell everyone you are looking. Cast a wide net. Let them know the types of roles you are looking for so they can recommend you and set you up for networking meetings 5️⃣ Use tools Use tools like Massive which helps you auto-apply for roles. It’s your own personal AI recruiter (Check out Massive in comments) to help you kick start the job search process. The job search is hard enough in this market. Create a support system and structure - ask for help. What advice would you add? #leadership #culture #MitaMallick #MassivePartner

How to bounce back after a layoff. 🔟 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗷𝗼𝗯: [𝘖𝘯 𝘢 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦, 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬. 𝘈𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱.] 1️⃣ 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 Process the emotional impact. Reflect on your career goals and what you want in your next role. 2️⃣ 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀 Highlight your recent skills and accomplishments. Focus on the skills relevant to the jobs you want. 3️⃣ 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 Reach out to former colleagues. Attend industry events and connect with professionals at companies of interest. Referrals can boost your chances. 4️⃣ 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 Share content related to your career on LinkedIn. Build your personal brand and attract potential employers. 5️⃣ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 Practice answering common questions. Craft a compelling narrative that highlights your experience and its relevance to the position. 6️⃣ 𝗕𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗮𝗽 Be honest about your layoff. Focus on how you used the time productively, like learning new skills or taking on freelance projects. 7️⃣ 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 This provides financial support while you search for your next position. It allows you to focus on finding the right opportunity. 8️⃣ 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 Take online courses or certifications. Address any skill gaps you've identified in job descriptions for roles you're targeting. 9️⃣ 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗳𝗳 Prepare a concise, professional explanation of your job loss. Focus on the circumstances rather than personal feelings. 🔟 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 This can help bridge employment gaps, provide income, and potentially lead to full-time opportunities. Remember, being laid off is often due to factors beyond your control. Approach your job search with confidence in your skills and experience. I know this isn't easy for those who have experienced a layoff but use this as an opportunity to find a role that aligns with your career goals. __________ P.S. Follow me (Dr. Chris Mullen) for daily posts on personal growth, leadership & the world of work. 𝗣.𝗣.𝗦. 🔁 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗷𝗼𝗯.

✨Recently laid off? Check out this inspiring story from my client. Job seekers navigating career transitions should consider two key strategies: Recommendations and Networking (I know, there is much more to the story; read on!). 🔻 First, update your LinkedIn profile, including exchanging recommendations with colleagues, managers, and external partners like vendors or customers. This effort yields significant benefits: • Recruiters value social proof from recommendations showcasing your leadership and communication skills. • It offers a prime networking opportunity—if approached strategically. H͟e͟r͟e͟’s͟ ͟a͟ ͟c͟a͟s͟e͟ ͟i͟n͟ ͟p͟o͟i͟n͟t͟:͟ I just finished a call with a client who had been preparing for a career change for about a year. Unexpectedly, she was laid off as part of a broader company downsizing. Fortunately, she was well-prepared and remained calm. She resumed an earlier task of requesting Zoom meetings and testimonials from her network. To her contacts’ surprise, they learned of her recent layoff. Now, she’s exploring several opportunities. Remarkably, one conversation revealed 𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 (unwritten and unposted) job roles tailored to her expertise at an exciting company overseas. C͟o͟n͟s͟i͟d͟e͟r͟ ͟t͟h͟i͟s͟:͟ 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁—𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘆𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱—𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝘄𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲. My client's proactive discussions have already positioned her for five potential jobs, some of which are still being defined. Next steps? We’re preparing to utilize my “write and pitch your own job description” technique when these companies express interest in crafting a role that leverages her skills to meet their needs. Isn’t that amazing? ✨ For more ideas about what to do to prepare for a layoff, here is a link to the Forbes Coaches Council article: 𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝟭𝟮 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀: https://lnkd.in/gpGf8jXs #jobs #careers #management