Losing a job due to layoffs can leave you feeling lost, uncertain, and anxious about the future. Amidst the uncertainty, there are ways to navigate and get back on your feet. In our last blog post, we discussed many of the steps you should take after a layoff to set yourself up for success. In this post, we discuss a few external resources you can look into to boost your next career steps.
Career Coaches:
A career coach is a trained professional who can provide guidance and support to help you achieve your professional goals. Career coaches can be beneficial during a period of transition, such as after a layoff. Here's how a life and career coach can assist you in your journey:
Clarify your goals: A career coach can help you reflect on your strengths, passions, and values to identify your career goals. Once you have identified your goals, your coach will assist you in creating a clear and actionable plan to move forward.
Hold you accountable to your goals: Sometimes, the most challenging part about creating a plan is sticking to it. New Year’s resolutions are proof of that. A career coach will help you stick to the plan you create together. Your career coach will become your Samwise Gamgee to your Frodo and help you stay on track despite challenges, lack of motivation, and frustrations.
Boost your confidence: Being laid off can sometimes impact your self-esteem and confidence. A career coach can work with you to build your self-confidence and help you see the opportunities ahead.
Prepare for interviews: Interviewing is nerve-wracking, but you will be interviewing a lot after a layoff. A career coach can help you prepare for the slew of interviews you will go on. They can run through mock interviews with you, help you hone your interviewing narrative, and help you to highlight your best qualities during the interview process.
Explore your professional aptitude: A layoff is a challenging time, but it can also be a time to reexamine your professional life and decide if your values and goals still align with your career field. A coach can help you analyze your professional aptitude with resources like the Predictive Index to determine what roles and job responsibilities will best fit your personality, strengths, and professional persona.
Provide emotional support: Losing a job can be an emotional experience. A life coach can provide a safe and non-judgmental space for you to express your feelings and concerns. They can offer support and guidance to help you process your emotions and move forward.
Develop new skills: A life coach can help you identify and develop new skills that are relevant to your career goals. They can provide resources, tools, and techniques to enhance your job search strategies and improve your chances of success.
Resources:
Networking:
Networking is a powerful tool for job seekers, especially after a layoff. Building and leveraging your professional network can open doors to job opportunities and provide you with valuable support and guidance. You can network through various channels, such as industry events, professional associations, online communities, and social media platforms like LinkedIn.
Networking can help you expand your professional connections, gain insights into job market trends, and learn about hidden job opportunities. It can also provide you with emotional support and encouragement from fellow professionals who have gone through similar experiences. By networking, you can also access the hidden job market, which consists of job opportunities that are not publicly advertised but are filled through referrals and recommendations.
But don’t make the mistake of only tapping into your professional network. As human beings, we are part of a vast network of individuals that spreads far beyond what we do at an office or between the hours of 9 to 5. After a layoff, don’t be afraid to lean on your network of friends, family, neighbors, and those you know in a professional setting. Letting those around you know that you are looking for a job is a great way to find new opportunities you would not have otherwise. Who knows, the grocery store clerk may have a connection at your dream company!
Recruiting Agencies:
Recruiting agencies are specialized firms that help job seekers find employment opportunities. They work as intermediaries between job seekers and employers, connecting qualified candidates with job openings. Here are some ways in which recruiting agencies can assist you:
Access to job opportunities: Recruiting agencies have access to a wide range of job opportunities that may not be advertised publicly. They can connect you with potential employers and provide you with access to exclusive job openings.
Resume and interview support: Recruiting agencies can provide guidance on resume writing, interview preparation, and other job search strategies. They will help you highlight your strengths and present yourself to potential employers in the best possible light.
Industry expertise: Many recruiting agencies specialize in specific industries or job markets. They have the in-depth industry knowledge and can provide valuable insights and advice on current job trends, salary negotiations, and career advancement opportunities.
Networking opportunities: Recruiting agencies have extensive networks in the job market. They can introduce you to key contacts, hiring managers, and industry professionals, significantly expanding your network and increasing your chances of finding a job.
At Cygnet, it is our mission to help you find a new job that you love, and that is perfect for who you are as a person. Our team will help you position yourself and your experience so that you stand out from the other applicants.
For 17 years, we have built an extensive network within the healthcare arena so that we can match our candidates with the right people. Because we represent employees seeking new positions and Fortune 500 companies looking for new talent, we are uniquely able to help you find the perfect role!
After a layoff, it can be challenging to know where to turn to to look for a job. It can feel frustrating to scroll through job page after job page trying to decipher titles, job descriptions, and company mission statements. Working with Cygnet, we will help you navigate the corporate jargon to get interviews at jobs you can be excited about and to make sure that you get picked above the other candidates. Contact us today to get help finding that perfect role for you!
