Job Searching in Uncertain Times
It's the first Friday in December, which means we’re in that end-of-year crunch. This is typically when I hear that many people are putting a pin in their job search since “no one hires until after the new year anyway.” But, I’m going to share with you what I share with my clients: This can be the greatest time to search if you’re strategic about it. You see, there’s this misconception that getting a job during this time is unlikely, which causes people to either pause their search or spiral into stress mode that blocks the ability to think logically or navigate strategically. Now, this year, when we add the massive layoffs, we’re currently experiencing, on top of the weight of job searching in Q4–and oof! It’s caused a lot of chaos–stress is to be expected, but I promise there’s a better way.
Please, don’t throw in the towel just yet–especially if you were impacted by a recent layoff or recently quit without having another job lined up. Let me help you out with a few practical tips to get you through this season of your career and help reduce the pain of the job search.
Take the right action, not just a lot of action
I know it feels good to check things off of a list, which is why it feels like there is more movement toward the goal when submitting resumes and hitting “apply” on an application. But that is not always the best investment of your time and energy. Instead, try reaching out to your community. Share openly and specifically about what you’re looking for in the next role so that people know exactly how to help you.
How to reach out to your community or contacts
Visibility and connection are essential, so don’t be afraid to put it out there that you’re looking for the next thing. If you can safely share publicly, share a post on LinkedIn that you’re looking for your next gig–be specific. Here’s a good example:
Next, update your profile header to highlight that you’re available for hire and update your summary on your profile to clearly express what is next for you and how someone can get in touch with you. The goal is to make it as easy as possible for someone to help you. If you’re not able to safely share publicly that you’re looking for your next job, you can still mark your profile as ready for hire for recruiters to find you more easily.
Once you’ve posted and updated your profile, this is where direct outreach comes in. Make a list of folks you want to let know that you’re job searching– past colleagues, friends, family– you never know who could have the introduction to your next role. The key here is to make it as easy as possible for them to support you in your search, so get specific and do the work for them. In a mass email, try something like:
In individual messages, try something like:
There are also a number of resources that are surfacing in response to the many layoffs happening, like this Master Layoff Lists circulating on LinkedIn. In less than 24 hours, 700+ companies that are still hiring signed up to access the list. Recruiters and hiring managers from small start-ups to Fortune 100 companies all stepped up to help people find roles. Despite the challenging times, we find ourselves in people still want to help, so start asking, using the resources available to you, and keep taking action. Here are a few more spots people are coming together to help those impacted by the layoffs find new opportunities:
Search Linkedin using hashtags such as #layoff, #laidoff, and #hiring to find great search results of folks linking to open opportunities and emails to connect with those still hiring
Explore groups like, People of Color in Tech, Tech Ladies, Ladies Get Paid, and SwitchWeb3. These are places you can regularly check in with to find wonderful companies that are actively hiring.
Follow people like Nick Martin, Sujani Sivanantharajah, and Alison Lands who share opportunities on their LinkedIn feed.
Connect for the purpose of connecting
A recent study showed that 85% of jobs are filled through networking. Instead of letting this fact discourage you, take the opportunity to make new connections and build your network. I know it’s stressful when you need a job yesterday, but you might be surprised by what happens when you make new connections with people who have shared interests. This could be at meetups, coffee chats, industry events (both in person and virtual), a social sport or exercise class, or by cold outreach to people in roles you’re interested in.
Cold outreach can be scary (and sensitive), so, I’ll help you out. Here’s an example of what you can say when you’re sending cold outreach. But don’t just copy; use it as inspiration:
Don’t be afraid to ask people for a call or to meet for coffee, but make it as easy as possible for them to say yes. People are usually more willing than you may think to have a conversation or offer advice. A good practice when actively building your network is to ask everyone you talk to for 5 referrals—people you should talk to or resources they can share that might support you in finding the right path.
The key here is to be thoughtful, aware, and respectful as you reach out to new contacts and not to reach out with the sole intention of getting a job. It’s obvious when someone wants to use you for short-term gains, and it doesn’t come across well, so make sure you keep connection your first priority. Definitely do this as you are looking for a job but never stop engaging in this practice throughout your career because you never know when someone from your network could step in and change the trajectory of your career forever. I have a personal example of this that might give you some encouragement.
After college, I moved to Chicago in search of a career. It was right at the tail end of the 2008 recession, and I was hungry for a job because I desperately needed money. I had made a connection with the founder of restaurants.com at a conference a year earlier and realized he was the only person I was connected to in Chicago. So, with the hopes that he would hire me right away, I reached out to meet with him. Long story short, he didn’t hire me right there on the spot as I’d hoped. He never hired me, actually.
But he did connect me with three people that changed my career forever—all at different times and in different ways.
One of the contacts was an emerging lawyer who hired me on a freelance basis to write his LinkedIn profile. This turned into me writing for a ton of lawyers for two or three years which helped support me in those early years of my career. Another one hired me a year after we met and changed my entire career trajectory in ways I could never have imagined for myself. Lastly, the third of these contacts became a lifelong friend who helped me restart my business in 2017 when I was at a crossroads and a major turning point in my life.
You see, all of these connections were pivotal, but none of them offered immediate value. In fact, they were all struggling, and a little lost at the time, just like I was when I met them. But, that experience taught me an extremely valuable lesson. I met somebody with a major expectation that he would be the answer to my financial problems, but instead, he just sat with me like a human, listened, and offered what he could, and in the end, that meeting changed my life. I know of countless similar stories from those I’ve worked with throughout the years, so keep meeting people, getting out of your comfort zone, and connecting–you never know where you might meet your next boss, colleague, or business partner.
Lastly, do things to take care of yourself
There’s no denying it; the job search can feel extremely defeating. In order to continue to show up consistently enough to find a new role, you have to take care of yourself in the midst of it.
Though it may feel productive, don’t sit at your computer all day applying for jobs—you will drive yourself crazy. Leave your house daily, go on walks, be with friends and family, and do things that are life-giving so that you have the energy to keep taking action when you need to. It’s even a good idea to have a buddy you can job search with, encourage each other, and keep each other motivated so you don’t feel alone in the process. You’re definitely not alone, so don’t let yourself get discouraged by that lie.
I want to end by saying this: I realize many people are in survival mode, hunting for a way to make income to pay their bills, and that’s a stressful place to be—and I don’t want to minimize that. However, if you can take yourself out of the constant survival mindset, you will have more energy and more time and space to search effectively. Taking care of yourself will help you meet people without expectations and connect on a human level at every interaction. If you need to, don’t feel ashamed to take on a part-time role or gig work to get you by while you’re job searching. By caring for your soul during a stressful time, you will find yourself in a much better place mentally, emotionally, and physically to engage in a sustainable, successful job search. And if you want extra support while going through this experience, let's connect. I am opening up space for a new cohort of job seekers who want the support of a community to go through this job search with and 5 one-to-one spots for new coaching clients. If you're interested in any of these opportunities, please email me: lia@andhuman.space