How to Survive a Layoff, Job Search & Network Smarter

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10 Steps to Survive a Layoff, Job Search, and Network Smarter

Lindsay K. Saunders

@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders

EVOLUTION OF A TPC COMMUNICATOR

Technical & Professional Communications, M.A.

Before Comms Graduate Studies

• Copyediting • Technical Editing

& Design • Public Interest &

Grant Writing • UX • Document

Design • Research Design • Technical Writing • Magazine Intern

Comms World

@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders

1: So You Get Laid Off…

Before January 3, 2016? Search for work on two separate days with 2 potential employers.

New law regarding work search?

Claimants required to contact 5 potential employers during the week, but it doesn’t have to be on separate days.

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1. Employer’s name;

2. Job title of position;

3. URL or address of website, e-mail address or facsimile number, telephone number, or location of contact;

4. Date of submission or contact; and

5. Name & job title of person contacted or met or confirmation number or e-mail.

1: Document for Layoff

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Do what you have to do. Really.

Well, except illegal stuff, if so that didn’t come from me…

NC unemployment review?

A little background on that.

Freelance? Serving? Contract work?

1: Layoff Ultimate Survival

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Loved ones?

Coworkers?

Mentors?

Networking contacts?

Recruiters?

Publicize?

Keep it Quiet?

2: Share News: Job Search!

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3: Reflect on Why?

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Passion

What makes you happy?

Pause

Reason for change?

Purpose

Which jobs are right for you?

4: Update Online Presence

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Develop Your Own Persona Be consistent

4: Online Comms: Email & Site

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Your Email, example: lindsayksaunders@gmail.com is good, but littlexred23@yahoo.com is NOT.

WITH a signature in there.

Have a basic landing page website. My start: http://lindsayksaunders.wixsite.com/communications

Position Yourself as a Thought Leader: http://lindsayksaunders.com/blog/

Develop insights for your resume

Research companies of interest

Consider jobs you’re interested in

Need more school?

Establish realistic salary expectations

5: Assess the Job Market

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Forbes

Liz Ryan, CEO of Human Workplace

LinkedIn Pulse Articles

The Muse

Triangle Biz Journal

5: Assess Based on Insights

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Update it

Redesign it

SEO it

Have it reviewed

By MORE than one person…

6: Redesign Your Resume

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Pinterest Resume Design & Layouts: https://www.pinterest.com/dioncorreia/resume-design-layouts/

The 41 Best Resume Templates Ever: https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-41-best-resume-templates-ever

Buzzfeed 27 Beautiful Resume Designs: https://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/impeccably-designed-resumes?utm_term=.kr4w3yvDO#.ms61DQao3

6: Resume Links

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6: Resume Design Ideas

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Application Log

#

Date

Company

Address

Phone Number

Job Title

Job ID

Date Position Closes

Source/Referral

Status

Follow-Up Date

Link

7: Create a Search Spreadsheet

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Jobs to Apply For

Title

Company

Link

Source

Secondary Link

Requirements

An Integrated Routine

Productivity

Goals

Schedule

Change in scenery

Balance

Stress?

Benchmarks

8: Make a New Routine

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Quality over quantity

Is 10 jobs apps a day a good idea?

9: Productive Results

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Let job sites & listservs work for you.

CareerBuilder

Monster

Indeed

LinkedIn

Social Media

9: Productive Results

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Be a part of a group

Doesn’t have to be a Networking Group

Volunteer organization – find your cause

10. Networking: Be Active

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If you never ask, you…never have a chance.

Play poker: applications, events, and meetings.

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Keep asking until you get a No!

10. Networking: ASK

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Having a coffee, grabbing lunch, or getting a drink

Informational Interviews

Feedback phone calls

Build long-term relationships Follow-up

Connect on social

Check-in

Give them updates

Ensure genuine connections Be a resource

Listen

Trust your gut

10. Networking: Small-Scale

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Uncomfortable? Set a goal.

Mine: Say hello to familiar faces. Introduce myself to 3 new people and learn about them. Then Leave OR Stay for the presentation, if there is one.

There is no magic wand to make it easier.

10. Networking Events

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10. Networking

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You definitely don’t have to wait until you have the letters “CEO” by your name to be a mentor. Take initiative to be a leader and share your knowledge.

10. Networking: Mentor

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What Did I Miss?

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