Guess who just survived their fourth layoff… me!!! Yes, you read correctly, I’ve been laid off four times, and twice within a year. Let me tell you, it gets easier when you are prepared mentally and financially. This time around the stakes were extremely high for me since I’d just become a new homeowner and I'd be living alone. Having being a contractor prior, I know the contracting game pretty well. Contracts can ad will come and go just as soon as they started, this lay-off literally came out of the blue. There was no inclination that things were going askew. When I received the news, I was actually at home to prepping for a potluck with my co-workers, which was scheduled for the next day and never happened. Although it may have appeared that I was living the life on Instagram, every day wasn’t great. I honestly have NEVER experienced a lay-off like this before. Let’s just say my previous company was TRASH. However, I had a few tips and tricks under my sleeve. Here are a few things that I did i(n-between random outburst of tears) to get me back in the job market.
1. Network Effectively- While this may come as no surprise… I always say that every opportunity you have is a networking opportunity. If you are in a contracting or consultant role you should be networking without a doubt. Having access to someone else’s network is extremely helpful if you’re looking to obtain a new position or gain additional knowledge in general. One of the first steps I took was reaching out to previous colleagues to see which projects they were working on or looking forward to. Luckily, networking comes pretty easy for me. My previous role required me to have relationships with several stakeholders within the organization and I was able to build solid relationships. Believe it or not during my lay-off a few of the stakeholders I worked with tried reaching out to me regarding upcoming roles within their department. If you happen to network within your organization, it is imperative that you are doing quality work, providing excellent customer service and trying to exceed expectations. Trust and believe, even when you think people aren’t watching and taking note on your professionalism, they are.
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| Volunteered with a non-profit organization |
2. Utilize LinkedIn Effectlively- I have probably created a profile on every job site there is. I’ve also seen firsthand how companies utilize employment sites and when it comes to engagement, LinkedIn is definitely the way to go. While networking over brunch a friend suggested that I utilize the free LinkedIn trial which gives you access to the paid features. I took that advice and was able to message HR professionals at companies I was interested in. I would strongly recommend you update your LinkedIn profile prior to the free trial or utilizing the paid service.
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| Celebratory drink for getting the job offer |
3. Create A Routine- Even if you’re not a routine person, going to work is usually a routine of some sort. When you are unemployed that particular routine is out of the window. Creating a routine gives you something to look forward to. The quote that says ‘Repetition Breeds Success’ stands true when it comes to obtaining a position. During one of my layoffs I woke up and ate breakfast, applied for jobs and had phone interviews until around 1PM, then I went daily to grab a bubble tea (#Extra), and ended my day relaxing by the pool. During this layoff, I made cooking breakfast a daily habit, caught up on Netflix shows, and I went to the gym. This layoff was a bit different for me because I knew I had the position (unofficially) when I applied (prior to the actual lay-off); it was just a waiting game.
4. Have Fun- Although this is a trying moment in life, remember bad times don’t last forever. After you’ve created a routine of networking in person and applying to open positions, it’s time to live a little. I semi thought of this as an unpaid vacation. I knew I had to hustle to gain income but I also knew that I wouldn't have this amount of free time to just come and go as I pleased.
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| Stepped out for a play |
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| Black Love event 2019 |
