Layoffs are sweeping the U.S., from Twitter and Meta to Google and Amazon. If you happen to be one of the people caught up in the cuts, breathe. That said, the last thing you want to do is send your resume to dozens of companies and pray a recruiter will call you. That’s not a strategy for success. Now you are probably thinking – so how do I find a new job after being laid off?
Finding a new job after being laid off
After you have taken a minimum of 24 hours to process this shocking change to your employment status, here are a few things you need to do.
- Write down stuff. an elevator pitch – tell me about yourself. We often fumble & struggle to think up of the right words and remember things – regurgitate everything we feel might be helpful to get the job – and then blabber out an answer that doesn’t really make sense to even you – I mean what was that!
- Network – Everyone will tell you to do that. Reaching out to colleagues, friends, previous clients. But what they don’t tell you is that sometimes those people who professed undying loyalty & fiefdom when the times were good, suddenly don’t return your calls or even acknowledge you. Et tu Brutus! . Don’t be frustrated – easier said than done, but its important. Note – this is a good time to know who your real friends are. On an optimistic note, it might very well be that they are extremely busy & busy trying to keep their jobs as well. Forgive – but perhaps not forget. And if you don’t like what some of them did – don’t do it to others as well.
- Patience & Persistence – Keep applying. Have a schedule.
- Keep talking to people in the same boat as you are – Talking with each other helps you figure out opportunities out there, what companies are looking for, kind of questions interviewers ask etc. It’s a force multiplier. Not only is it therapeutic & reduces the blues, but also is a chance to learn. Since most of us get ensconced in the daily grind at our jobs, we tend to lose touch on what companies look for when hiring. As you know the job search, Job descriptions, hiring process & what they ask at interviews are often way different to the work you end up doing.
- Take a break – It’s a lonely & often frustrating journey. Keeping yourself mentally fighting fit is critical. It’s sometimes a marathon – not a sprint. Pace yourself & remember to take a break. Spend time with your family & close friends. Grab a beer, watch a movie, go shoot some hoops – just do something else. Will do you a ton of good. Come back refreshed.
- Financial planning – Ideally, you have planned for such an eventuality and have something squirrelled away. Most financial planners will tell you to have some free cash to last you for atleast 6 months specially for emergencies like this. Have a look at your finances & ensure that you cut out unnecessary expenses. There might also be government support or insurance you can fall back on till you get the next job. We are not too different from business – all of us need to focus on extending cash flow or as startups call it – the runway. However unlike business, you can’t really fire your pesky middle child in the name of cutbacks.
- The Golden Hour – Based on posts from several of those who have lived through this, one key tip I heard was to apply for a job within 24 hours of it being posted. While not a guarantee, it improves chances of your CV being viewed by the recruiter. Imagine being the 351st application the recruiter receives!
- Play to your strengths or build some – The temptation to apply on any job posting that’s remotely linked to what you have done is immense. Try steering clear of that. Even if you do get a review, it will be very hard to validate why you are best suited for the job. Worse off, you may end up hating your role even if you get in. Listing your strengths & then focusing on jobs that need those qualities tend to have a better ending. More confidence & depth when answering those interview questions – because you have actually done it & are good at it. This is also a good time to upskill yourself – get a certification while you are at it.
- You don’t need a 100% fitment to the job description to apply. If you feel you have a majority of the skillsets & will be able to do the job well, go ahead & apply. As a hiring manager myself, we list down skills, roles and expectations we want. Some are critical & some good to have. All of us know that it’s impossible to get all features in one candidate. That’s why we as managers exist. To train a good candidate in areas we want them to excel. So why second guess yourself? Go ahead & apply. This is specifically true for female candidates. Surveys have shown that males are far likely to apply even if they don’t tick off all the checkboxes vs. female candidates.
And before you go
Finding a new job can take a long time as there are hundreds of applicants just as eager as you are to find a new job. After you are laid off, while there are several things you can do to stay busy and increase your chances of getting hired as quickly as possible, please do start with assessing your financial situation.
With a clear head, begin looking at your finances to figure out a reduced budget to help make your money last for as long as possible. During this time, you will want to:
- File for unemployment, state health insurance, food stamps, and other programs designed to help people who are laid off.
- See where you can cut costs by eliminating subscription fees, streaming services, and non-essential spending.
- Contact friends that work in the industry to see if their company is hiring.
- Contact recruiters to schedule a phone interview and get your resume on file.
And yes. Chin up mate. It might seem bleak now. But it’s only going to get better from here on. Your dream job is right round the corner.
Additional reading to ‘Finding a new job after being laid off’ : How to spruce up your resume & interview skills