How to Recover After a Layoff with Coaching

🚨 “𝗜 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗿… 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗜’𝗺 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗮𝘀.” That’s what a 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿 told us after getting laid off. 10+ years in tech. DevOps. SRE. AWS-certified. Built systems But even with all that experience... He hit a wall.  He said:   👉🏾 “I’m used to pushing myself. But this time, I couldn’t see the road. I didn’t need more motivation. I needed direction.” Let me keep it 💯 with you... 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼𝗼.   Anyone would, especially after a layoff. Why?   Because nobody teaches us how to 𝗽𝗶𝘃𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, only how to grind harder.   That’s a setup for burnout. Here’s what he 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 needed: ✅ A clear, structured learning path (because he needed to add a few skills)   ✅ Real-world projects to PROVE his value   ✅ A coach to help him build 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆... 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧 ✅ A hiring game plan aligned with his 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵 His goal?   👉🏾 Land a DevOps/SRE leadership role   👉🏾 While raising two kids   👉🏾 Building a consulting biz   👉🏾 And STILL making time for family 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆: 🟢 You just need to realign with whats happening in the industry! 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗿.   The gas? That’s strategy, and once you have that, then you can take the action you need. So... If you’ve been sitting in neutral.  it’s time to fuel up and hit that damn gas. Level Up!

𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙚'𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙎𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙈𝙮 𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩 (𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩 2) Remember last week's promise to delve deeper into the power of networking? Buckle up, because today we're getting real. I recently coached a client facing a brutal reality: job loss, dwindling savings, and a month to find new employment. The pressure was immense, and opportunities in his Delaware field seemed nonexistent. Here's how we tackled this seemingly impossible situation: 1. Leverage Your Centers of Influence (Even if You Think You Don't Have Any): Forget "powerful people." These are simply individuals who've crossed your path and might offer guidance or introductions. Think past colleagues, former bosses, even clients you connected with! My client initially dismissed this, believing he lacked such connections. But we reframed it. Every interaction creates potential. 2. Craft a Compelling Script (Panic is NOT the Message): We created a message that conveyed urgency without desperation. It highlighted his skills, project-based options he was open to, and his desire for a brief call to explore leads. It wasn't about begging; it was about seeking valuable insights. 3. Aim for 25 Connections Daily (Rejection is Inevitable, Persistence is Key): We set a daily goal of contacting 25 individuals across various channels (phone, email, text). He practiced his script, focusing on a positive attitude despite potential rejections. Remember, not everyone responds immediately, and that's okay. 4. Have a Backup Plan (Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst): We discussed alternative scenarios if this approach didn't yield results within 7 days. It's crucial to have contingencies in place to avoid feeling lost and overwhelmed. The Result? My client landed a consulting gig within a week, thanks to a connection made through this process. It wasn't his dream job, but it bought him valuable time and kept him afloat. More importantly, he gained confidence in his ability to leverage his network and navigate challenging situations. Lessons learned: Nurture relationships throughout your career. Building genuine connections and staying in touch with former colleagues can make a world of difference when you need them most. Your Turn: What are your go-to resources when your back's against the wall? Share your experiences where networking proved invaluable in the comments! #resumewriter #careercoach #CommunityTopVoice The power of networking—photograph of Victoria Long and me creating a lasting and strong connection. Networking! It's FUN! Embrace it!!!

A former client reached out concerned about a friend of his who had recently lost his job. He wanted to pay me to do an all day session with his friend to prepare him for his job search. What an incredible gesture. That is the kind of guy he is though. Andy and I met and spent 6 hrs on a zoom call. Andy was a mid-level manufacturing manager and was just laid off. The goal was not for me to introduce him to hiring leaders, but to prepare him to do a job search on his own, and create a solid resume within 48 hours. We went through my process. It was a productive day and Andy's attitude was amazing. I told him to keep me posted and reach out if he needed me further. Andy landed a new job in 3 weeks. No joke – the stars were aligned for him!    Here are some of the things that I do with most of the people that I coach in preparation for a job search: Let's get clarity: What Matters Most to You Now – at this time in your life? Career? Family? Finances?  Health?   What is that ideal job? What are you must haves? What have you done in your career that you are most proud of? What accomplishments were so significant that you will never forget the way they made you feel? What did it take for you to do this? What was the impact? What competencies stand out consistently that describe who you are at your core? Resume Prep: Let's build a resume that tells a story of where you have been, what you have accomplished and what you are capable of. This is sometimes the only information a potential hiring leader has about you. Make it count. Job Search Strategy: Where are the jobs I am looking for? Suggested Next Steps: Reconnect with people that you have worked with in your past, lean on your network and everyone you frequently associate with to let them know of your search. This is not a time to feel like you are a burden. We all need others, especially in a job search. Get in front of the people that need to know you exist. I will show you how. Set weekly goals and put daily action behind them (i.e., 10 new industry/job specific connection requests on LinkedIn, 10 past co-worker connections/messages, 1-2 hrs research on new opportunities and hiring leaders, 10 applications for jobs posted, etc.) Automation tools: Are they right for you? What tools are out there that can quadruple your efforts?       Mindset: Stay on track and optimistic about the possibilities. Remember that your search is unique. The timing is not under your control, but your attitude and actions are! If you are struggling or feel lost, engage a coach. It’s ok to get help. There is something to be said for having good energy supporting you during this time. Open up your mind, remember who you are and get after it! Where there is strong intention, action and great energy is where the results are.     Trust me, I know. Much love, everyone.