Be Layoff Proof

Plus a cool strategy for finding jobs, and more networking chats!

Author

Bonnie Dilber
February 07, 2024

Resources of the Week!

  1. Two amazing tips from Jordan Flowers this week that will help you use the same technique (Boolean searches) recruiters use to identify newly posted roles and then deliver them to your inbox via Google Alerts. And not sure which ATSs to use? Well here’s a bunch of search strings that can be tweaked! There’s some art to this - recruiters will usually have to try a variety of things too - but it’s a great way to automate your search!

  2. And sign up for a networking chat! (I’m now going to drop these more regularly vs every month in hopes of giving more people a chance to see/grab one - so this has spots just for the next week.)

Be Layoff Proof

I consider myself to be “layoff proof”. Now does that means I can actually prevent myself from being laid off? Of course not. I would be really sad if I lost my job!

But what it DOES mean is that I am not worried about bouncing back from a layoff or job loss.

And here’s why:

  1. I am always open to work: my resume is up-to-date, I track my achievements, I engage with recruiters when they reach out, I stay active on LinkedIn.
    This means that when I do need to kick off a job search, I’,m not going to need to do much to start my search.

  2. I am always networking: I hold networking chats regularly, I am in group chats with people who work in the same field as me, I’m active in groups for my industry.
    This means that when I need to get my network working for me, I have people I know I can lean on.

  3. I am financially stable: I know there’s a lot of privilege here but I live within my means, I track my budget so I know exactly where I can make cuts if needed, and I have multiple income streams.
    This means that if I need to navigate an extended period of unemployment, this will not be financially stressful (which was NOT the case 2 years ago!)

Of course you should also do good work, advocate for yourself in the workplace, have regular performance conversations with your manager, look for ways to learn new technologies and build new skills, etc. but ultimately, great people are laid off every day through no fault of their own.

The best career advice I can give folks is to do great work and stay optimistic (if you like your job like I do!) but also be realistic. And consider small steps you can take so that a layoff will be a bit less disruptive.

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🙋Answering Your Questions🙋

Each week, I’ll answer a few of your questions in this section. You can submit your questions here.

I want to do a complete career shift but am not sure where to even start looking.

I assume this means you’re unsure of what direction to take your career. If so, a few ideas:

This could be a space where a career coach (not a resume writer/job search coach but someone who coaches people to find their strengths and interests could be useful.

You could also DIY this experience by working with ChatGPT - ask it to act as a career coach and ask you questions to identify career paths. Taking assessments like StrengthsFinder, Birkman, or Myers-Briggs can also help you get language for your strengths and talents, and spark ideas about where to take your career.

It may be helpful to do informational interviews where

I would also be realistic - big pivots may require additional education or taking a big step back in level or compensation. And in a tough market where early career folks are struggling, you may have a harder time landing interviews.

Making small changes (for example, doing the same position in another industry, or changing positions within your current company) can also be ways to expand skills while still leaning on previous experience.

And as the job market improves, you’ll find more opportunities popping up!

As an IT professional who's never used LinkedIn before and has recently become unemployed what would you recommend as the best way to learn about using it?

I’m sorry you’re out of a job! There are lots of guides on setting your profile (and chatGPT can help!).

After creating your profile, I suggest connecting with anyone from previous workplaces, your education, even people in your community.

You can follow employers that interest you, and drop comments on their posts as a way to engage with their employees.

As you make more connections, more features will be available to you - like DMing some people (usually 2nd connections) without using inmail credits.

And I suggest posting! Share that you’re open to work and what you’re looking for (I share ideas for an “open to work” video here, and have a whole playlist of videos on LinkedIn!)

The more active you are, the most your network will grow - so I would comment and share thoughts on posts about your industry, and engage with recruiters. This will help you grow your network, and hopefully stand out to recruiters!


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