How To Job Search During Layoffs And Uncertainty
Layoffs are stressful for everyone, but they can hit Black and Latine workers especially hard. In June, the jobless rate for Black Americans rose to 6.8%, up from 6% in May, according to the Labor Department, as reported by CNN. Job hunting is already a full-time job, and the pressure intensifies when hundreds of people are competing for the same role.
Feeling uncertain about your job? Have you just been laid off and struggling to find your next job? Here are a few tips that may help alleviate your work anxiety.
Stay visible and learn something new
It’s better to be ready for the possibility of being laid off than to panic if the time comes. Zoe Price, CEO, CV Pilots & Resume Pilots suggests staying visible if you feel like you might be laid off in the near future.
“Attend industry webinars, comment on LinkedIn posts, or even share your own insights. It shows you’re engaged and positions you as active in your field. This is also your time to make contact with recruiters. And lots of them – this is a numbers game.”
She also emphasizes the importance of learning something new. “Even a short online course or certification adds to your profile and shows employers you’re proactive. You can also share what you’ve learned in interviews, which hiring managers lap up,” Price says.
How to stand out during a difficult job market
You should be clear about the value you deliver and lead with outcomes and examples rather than a list of responsibilities on your CV, according to Andrew Hulbert, Chair of the Institute of Workplace.
“Tailor applications to show you understand an organization’s priorities and outline what you would deliver in the first 90 days. Build visible credibility through concise case studies, practical insight pieces, and purposeful networking so decision makers can see the impact you will make,” Hulbert adds.
Recruiter and career consultant Jermaine L. Murray told Forbes that Black people should find community during this time “while also investing in their personal brands by either repositioning their existing skillset into a new value proposition or learning new skills to become more competitive in niche industries.”
How to handle being laid off
No one wants to be laid off, but the worst thing you can do is take it personally. “Redundancy happens to brilliant, capable people every single day,” Price says. “It’s not a career-ender, it’s just another transition during what is often a ‘less than linear’ career. And if you handle it the right way, it can even be (and often is) a springboard to something much better.”
Hulbert says you should allow yourself to feel those emotions because recognizing them is the first step to moving forward. “Put simple routines and practical steps in place to protect your wellbeing and your finances so decisions come from clarity rather than stress.”
What are the first steps to take after being laid off?
After being laid off, you’re likely scared and worried about the future and what comes next. Many people start bulk applying to jobs during this time, but that usually doesn’t help them find a job quickly.
Instead, Price says you should take stock and ask yourself what job you really want; “What do you actually want next: industry, role, culture, level of responsibility? Writing this down stops you from applying for jobs you don’t really want.“
She also suggests building up a routine. “Block out time each day for applications, networking, and learning. Having structure stops the “job search spiral” where every day blurs into the next.”
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