Coaching For Individuals

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, millions of good employees have been laid off.  Even in good economic times, organizations are constantly downsizing, reorganizing, and restructuring to manage costs and streamline expenses. 

Even though layoffs have become a normal part of doing business for organizations, dealing with a layoff situation is a major life event for the individuals who are impacted.  

What should you do if you find out you're being laid off?  

Start with these 5 steps. 

1. Share the news with your immediate family/significant other.  Don't hide the news or avoid talking to your family or significant others.  You may not be ready to talk with everyone just yet but those closest to you will be impacted in some way by your lay-off.

2.  Review your separation documents.  If your employer provided a formal letter or separation packet, it is important for you to review everything you received.

3.  File for unemployment compensation.  In most cases, if you lost your job due to a lay-off, reduction in force, or downsizing, you will qualify for unemployment as long as you meet other eligibility requirements. 

4. Take some time for yourself.  Being laid-off (even if you had some advanced notice) is a significant life event.  Give yourself some time to process what happened.  How much time you can take will depend on your own circumstances.  Whether you can take a day, a week, or a month, take some time process so that you will be ready to make a plan.

5. Create your personal pivot plan! Surviving a layoff can be stressful but having a specific plan of action can help you move through this process as quickly as possible and land a job that is right for you... even in a competitive job market.

Be encouraged and persevere!  One thing I learned during my time in executive search is that even in the worst of times, employers still have a need for great employees who can help them reach their goals. 

Contact me to see if I can provide additional resources to help you navigate your current situation and land a job that is right for you.  

The job market is fiercely competitive and, depending on your profession, you may even find that the number of active job seekers is disproportionately higher than the number of available opportunities.  Nevertheless, many employers are still hiring and will be looking for the "ideal candidate" to fill their openings.  There are several things you can do to increase your chances of landing a great new position in a competitive job market.  

(Re)Evaluate Your Priorities

If you have never taken the time to evaluate your priorities as they relate to work, now is a really good time to do so.  What are you really looking for in your next role? What are your must-haves and deal breakers?  Being clear about what you really want will help you target your search.  When organizations have a position to fill, they will be very selective in who they consider.  You should be also!

Prioritize Your Job Search

Looking for a job can be one of the hardest jobs there is!  the process can be overwhelming and  incredibly frustrating.   You will be more successful and better able to manage your stress if you have clear goals and a plan of action.

Craft An Effective Resume

Simply put, an effective resume is one that tells a potential employer, "I understand your challenges.  I am qualified and interested in helping you and here's how I can do so."  

Target the Right Opportunities

This may sound counterintuitive but when it comes to applying to jobs, less is more.  You may be tempted to apply for every position that remotely looks like one you have the skills to do.  If you adopt a mindset that any job will do, that sentiment will seep into your interactions with potential employers and can adversely impact your candidacy.

Put Yourself Out There

Now it's time to put yourself out there (AKA networking).  Before you panic, in it's most basic form, networking is nothing more than exchanging information with other people.  You do it all the time without even realizing it.  Networking is essential if you are going to increase your chances of getting notices in a competitive job market.

Take Care

Make time to take care of yourself.  Looking for a new job can be stressful.  It can take a toll on your health and your mental well-being.  Find time to rest.  Eat healthy and get some sleep.  Stay in contact with family and friends.  When you are feeling good about yourself, your confidence will shine through as your present yourself to potential employers.

Best wishes for continued success!  If this message has been helpful to you, I would love to hear your thoughts.