Hello readers! I’m back with a new post after a brief hiatus, brought about by some unexpected personal circumstances. If you've been following my journey, you may recall that in April of this year, I shared my past experiences with layoffs, both from the perspective of someone who survived them and someone who was impacted. In this post, I'm going to continue that narrative by discussing my most recent encounter with a layoff.
The Uncertainty That Accompanies a Layoff
In early August of this year, my company underwent a significant reduction in force, impacting 16% of the workforce, including some dear colleagues. Many of us were initially in a bit of shock, and it took some time to fully grasp the new reality that our time had come to an abrupt end. Looking back now, I do think it might have been a blessing in disguise, but it did leave me feeling somewhat disoriented and saddened by the loss of my job that I had worked so hard to obtain.
One of the ways I coped was to create a private LinkedIn group to provide a support network for those impacted at my company. The amount of activity in the group made me realize how important it is to have a support network following a layoff. My former colleagues shared tips for the job search, how to navigate signing up for health insurance or unemployment, or just how they were feeling during this time.
It is an up and down process being unemployed and trying to figure out what is next. I feel like it can be similar to the grief process where you sometimes cycle back and forth between despair and acceptance.
As a single mom living in New York City, I have been navigating this new reality of unemployment, just like many others. Several of my neighbors and close friends are also in a similar situation, having been impacted by a layoff at some point this year. Everyone has shared that this economic period presents unique challenges when it comes to finding a job. The current job market, saturated with talented job seekers, is highly competitive, which understandably makes many of us anxious about how long it might take to secure a source of income. Moreover, companies continue to have layoffs. I still hear weekly about a new friend or a past colleague who has been impacted. It feels a lot like the financial crisis that happened in 2008.
In my previous post, Surviving a Layoff: Tech Jobs are Not for the Risk Averse, I shared an earlier experience with a layoff. Back then, it was a different economic climate, and the circumstances were notably distinct. In that case, I had the advantage of a more favorable job market, and the founder of the startup provided me with ample notice before my position came to an end. I was able to transition out with fair notice, ensuring that my work was wrapped up, giving me the opportunity to say proper goodbyes and making sure I had everything I needed before exiting the company. I was also fortunate to secure new employment well in advance of my final day at the company.
This time around, things have felt quite different. The layoff felt chaotic and unsettling, and, I must admit, it appeared less compassionate in comparison to my previous experience. After dedicating so much of my time and energy to the company, I experienced a sense of disappointment in how my time there concluded. I was forced to leave projects without a proper transition plan in place, which left me concerned for the colleague who would inherit the workload. Promises were made to support this transition, but unfortunately, some of them went unfulfilled. There was no opportunity to bid a proper farewell to many colleagues with whom I had worked closely. I wished we lived in a culture in which employers weren't hesitant to provide employees with notice before parting ways, as it would make the transition far less disruptive for everyone.
Amidst the whirlwind of change, there's a silver lining I'd like to share. With more free time on my hands now, I've been able to redirect my energy into productive endeavors. I'm back to writing, reinvigorating my side hustle while I job search, and, most importantly, giving my son the attention he deserves. He's entering his final two years of high school, and reading "It. Goes. So. Fast. The Year of No Do-Overs" by Mary Louise Kelly was a real eye-opener. It made me acutely aware of the fleeting nature of these moments with my son at home. It's a stark reminder that life is short, and I need to be very intentional in what I do next for work so that it fills me up rather than depleting me.
Inspired by my own coaching experiences, both as a coach and as someone who's been coached, I've created a self-coaching tool, "Defining Your Ideal Next Job." This tool has helped me and many others clarify their career goals, whether navigating a layoff or seeking greater job satisfaction. I am excited to share this with anyone that it might help. To get started, take some time for quiet self-reflection by responding to these questions below to begin defining your next ideal work situation.
Self-Coaching Tool: Defining Your Ideal Next Job
Instructions: (Record your responses in a journal or in a doc on your computer)
Since your most recent role is likely top of mind, take a moment to reflect on what aspects of working at that company were energizing versus draining. Consider not only your specific role but also any work you did outside of it, such as contributions to special projects or employee resource groups. Create a two-column list with the headers “Energizing” and “Draining” and start adding tasks and responsibilities to each respective column.
Review your resume, drawing from past roles and volunteer experiences to expand the tasks/responsibilities/activities listed in your “Energizing” vs. “Draining” lists. Pay special attention to your “Energizing” list since it will play a key role in identifying what you should seek in your next position.
Look over your list of tasks/responsibilities from your “Energizing” list and identify both soft/hard skills needed to do the work. Once you have a list of these skills, put a checkmark next to those skills that are your strengths and underline those skills that you feel motivated to improve or develop further.
Brainstorm your needs and categorize them as "must-haves" and "nice-to-haves" for your next job. Include considerations like salary, benefits, work schedule, remote, hybrid, or in-person work, and company culture.
Compile a list of your dream companies and articulate why they excite you. What draws you to the prospect of working for them? Continue to refine this list as you learn about new companies during your job search.
Explore job descriptions for roles that pique your interest. Make a list of the tasks and responsibilities that resonate with you the most based on your past experience or areas that you hope to further develop.
Review and reflect on everything you have done so far in this exercise, and start brainstorming a list of ideas that can define your ideal next job. If you feel stuck, talk to a trusted friend, mentor, or coach to be a thought partner with you on this.
Example: This self-coaching exercise has helped to keep me both focused and open to the many possibilities that are out there that align with my passions and skills. Here are some ideas that came up for me in Step 7 of this exercise:
Designing and implementing professional development programs, digital e-learning courses, resources, and tools
Managing online membership communities and curating valuable resources
Planning and delivering in person workshops; company off-sites or retreats
Managing social media accounts; creating and sharing engaging content, particularly on platforms like LinkedIn (I recently celebrated reaching 5K followers!)
Cultivating strategic partnerships and representing the employer brand at industry events and conferences
Offering career and executive coaching services to companies, catering to a diverse clientele that includes employees, new managers, and seasoned leaders. (I also enjoy coaching self-employed individuals, and those in job/career/life transitions)
When One Door Closes, Another Will Open
At the time of writing this post, I'm committed to keeping my options open as I explore opportunities. In times of uncertainty, like the one I find myself in now, it has been helpful to spend some time doing this 'inner work' before taking any actions. Through my self-coaching work, I’ve gained clarity on the kind of work that interests me, and I'm staying open to exploring different possibilities while honing in on what truly energizes me.
My diverse skill set, cultivated through a variety of experiences in both early and late-stage tech startups, higher education, and the public sector, positions me for a range of roles. I'm optimistic about finding the right opportunity that aligns with my passions and needs, whether it's a full-time role or a part-time/contract gig alongside my coaching practice.
If you decide to try out this self-coaching exercise, please don't hesitate to send me a message with your feedback. Thank you for joining me on this part of my journey. Stay tuned for more insights, inspiration, and practical guidance in the world of personal and career development through self-coaching. Your support means the world to me, and I'm excited to continue this adventure together. Until next time, keep forging your path to success! 🌟
Thank you for sharing your experience and this tool! I love this set of questions and am interested even as an independent contractor to get clearer on the types of work that invigorate me