Tips for Overcoming Layoff Challenges

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.

😔 The moment you hear, “We’re letting you go,” everything shifts. Shock. Like the ground just disappeared. Anger. “I gave them everything—and this is how it ends?” Bargaining. “Maybe if I had just hit that number…” Denial. “This can’t be happening.” And finally, acceptance—because staying stuck in the past won’t build your future. I’ve been there. As a Senior Region Manager in aesthetic sales, I watched half my team get laid off in a single day. Good people. High performers. Completely blindsided. Getting laid off isn’t just losing a job. It’s grief. It’s identity loss. And if no one’s told you this yet—whatever you're feeling is valid. 👉 So where do you go from here? 1️⃣ Process your emotions. Before you update your LinkedIn, take a beat. Name what you're feeling so it doesn't control you. You can’t heal what you won’t admit. 2️⃣ Update your resume. Focus on results, not just responsibilities. Let your wins shine. 3️⃣ Optimize your LinkedIn profile. This is your online storefront—make sure it reflects your story, skills, and value. 4️⃣ Create a job search strategy. Random applying isn’t a strategy. Be intentional. Know your target roles, companies, and decision-makers. 5️⃣ Practice for interviews. Confidence is built through preparation. You're not starting over. You're starting stronger. 👇 If you’ve ever been laid off, what’s one piece of advice you wish someone had told you right away? → If you're navigating a layoff and wondering what’s next, send me a message. I’ve helped professionals in medical sales and leadership land roles they love—roles where they’re valued, respected, and finally excited to go to work again. Let's talk about your next chapter. You don't have to do this alone. #layoffs #careertransition #jobsearchstrategy #linkedinprofile #resumetips #aestheticsales #medicalsales #leadershipcoaching

As someone who has personally experienced a layoff due to a company re-org, I am no stranger to the emotional rollercoaster of feelings that can range from shock and frustration to anger and embarrassment. Navigating the intricacies of a job search after a layoff can be a daunting challenge, but with the right tools anyone can succeed. Just as a skilled tailor crafts a garment with precision, here are some tips you can use to tailor your career approach for success, even in the face of unexpected change. 🔍 Assess Your Professional Wardrobe: Just as a tailor carefully measures and hones their craft, take stock of your skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Craft a compelling resume and LinkedIn profile that impeccably showcase your unique value proposition. Highlight the fabric of your professional journey, emphasizing key skills and achievements that make you stand out. 📏 Measure Twice, Cut Once: Before diving into applications, take the time to define your career goals and aspirations. What are your non-negotiables in a role? What skills and experiences do you want to acquire? Tailoring your job search strategy requires a clear vision, helping you avoid unnecessary detours and focus on opportunities aligned with your long-term objectives. 🧵 Stitching a Network: Just like a tailor relies on a network of threads to create a seamless garment, building and nurturing your professional network is essential. Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your industry, attend virtual networking events, and seek informational interviews. Networking is the fine art of relationship-building – a crucial aspect of any successful career. ✨ Personal Branding – Your Signature Stitch: What sets you apart in a sea of candidates? Your personal brand! Just as a tailor’s signature stitch distinguishes their work, your unique skills, values, and personality should shine through in your professional brand. Consider what makes you memorable and weave that into your narrative. 🪡 Tailor Your Approach for Each Opportunity: While mass-producing may work for garments, it's not the case for job applications. Tailor your resume and cover letter for each role, emphasizing the skills and experiences most relevant to the specific position. This personalized touch demonstrates a genuine interest in the opportunity and increases your chances of standing out. Remember, the process of tailoring your career path requires patience, precision, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Your journey is uniquely yours, and every stitch contributes to the masterpiece of your professional narrative. If you have any questions or insights to share, let's connect! Wishing you all a tailored path to success. 🌟👔 #CareerCoaching #JobSearchStrategy #ProfessionalDevelopment #TailorYourCareer

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!

"Today's your last day." I’ve heard those words 3x in my career. But the third time? I smiled. Each layoff taught me more than a decade of success. This time, I wasn’t blindsided. This time, I wasn’t broken. This time, I was ready. That familiar ping. Another "urgent team meeting" invite. I knew what it meant. I’d been here before. But instead of fear, I felt something else: clarity. Each setback shaped me. Each disruption designed me. And this time, I saw the opportunity before the fallout. 10 lessons that turned setbacks into a launchpad: 1/ Your Response Is Your Superpower ↳ Mindset shapes post-layoff outcomes. ↳ Choose growth over grief. ↳ Your next step matters more than your last day. 2/ Traditional "Job Security" Is Dead ↳ Skills are the new stability. ↳ Build a portfolio of capabilities, not roles. ↳ Your adaptability is your security. 3/ Your Network Is Your Net Worth ↳ Build relationships before you need them. ↳ The best roles are never advertised. ↳ Help others daily (it comes back). 4/ Fear Is Just Future Excitement ↳ Every layoff led to a better opportunity. ↳ Anxiety and excitement use the same biology. ↳ Your narrative is your choice. 5/ Your Title Isn't Your Identity ↳ You aren't your job. ↳ Your worth isn't your salary. ↳ Build a rich, multi-dimensional life. 6/ Comfort Zones Are Danger Zones ↳ Growth stands on the edge of safety. ↳ Each layoff forced my evolution. ↳ Discomfort is your compass. 7/ Innovation Comes From Disruption ↳ Your best ideas live in your breakdowns. ↳ Use the pause button to rethink your path. ↳ Design your opportunity. 8/ Financial Intelligence Is Non-Negotiable ↳ Build your freedom fund. ↳ Live below your means. ↳ Money buys freedom, not happiness. 9/ Your Story Is Your Strength ↳ Own your narrative. ↳ Others need your resilience story. ↳ Vulnerability invites opportunity. 10/ The Best Response Is Forward Motion ↳ Action defeats anxiety. ↳ Small wins fuel unstoppable momentum. ↳ Your next chapter is your best chapter. Here's the reality: Each layoff made me stronger, wiser, and more resilient. The 3rd time wasn't an end. It was a new beginning. ↓ What's the biggest lesson you've learned from career setbacks? ♻️ Share with someone who needs this mindset shift today. 🔔 Follow me (Loren) for more leadership, workplace culture, and personal growth insights. 📸 T.S. Elliot Quote.

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" :)

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.

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

If you are in the job market right now or will be graduating soon, I hope my job search experience will be helpful. Layoffs were at a 10 month high in January 2024. Landing a job in this market is going to be one of the hardest tasks that many of you will ever take on. Having walked on this road, I want you to focus on these 4 things: 1. Having the right skills: Most job postings I see today ask for 'X' amount of experience. In addition, most of the laid off workforce has worked for a good number of years at most of the top companies. What is the first thing that we can do in such a landscape, focus on our own skills and build our competitive advantage. Try testing your skills with free HackerRank and LeetCode practice problems and get certifications in the tools that are required for your target job. Although this may sound as if it doesn't matter, these factors amount to a lot throughout your interview process. 2. Leveraging your network:  Networking isn't about handing out your resume at a career fair, it is truly about building relationships. Attending seminars, meetups and engaging in meaningful conversations on LinkedIn with someone who is willing to help is what actually works. 3. Resume, Cover Letter and LinkedIn Profile: Before someone actually interviews you, these 3 things are usually the only tools that tell your story for you. For your resume, there are 100's of free tools that score your resume against the job description you are applying for. This helps you rank better in the ATS that many companies use and gets your foot in the door. For cover letters, make sure your story is conveyed with clarity and take occasional feedbacks from friends and professors. Lastly, search people on LinkedIn who are already working at your dream role and compare your LinkedIn profile with theirs. See what sets them apart and inculcate the same changes in your own profile. 4. Cracking the interviews:  Not a single interview will be the same and each one will be a learning experience. If you are struggling with lack of confidence, develop a sales pitch and record yourself delivering the pitch alone first. Listen to this pitch and try to be better the next time. Eventually you will realize your areas of improvement and repeat this till you perfect yourself to your limit. This technique will reduce stress during the actual interview and help boost your confidence. These 4 techniques helped me land my current job and I hope it does the same for you. 2023 was one of the toughest times to be in the job market and many people helped me during that process. I hope by writing this post I can return their favor and provide value to anyone who is in need of it. If there is anything I help with apart from these techniques, whether it be the tools I used, my interview experiences, even providing referrals, than do reach out in DM or in the comments below, I will be happy to help. All the best in your job search!