Hey there,

In the tech world, layoffs have become a startling reality for many. With over 7,500 layoffs in the tech industry this year, it's crucial to have a solid plan in place. This guide is designed to provide practical steps and resources to help you navigate this challenging phase.

Enhancing Your Resume (and Linkedin Profile)

A strong resume is your ticket to new opportunities. These next two tools offer specialized services to elevate your resume.

Teal will help you optimize your resume and LinkedIn profile, and target specific job positions with it. There are a ton of functions offered for free and the platform does all the heavy lifting for you when it’s time to optimize your profile!

Resumable offers paid services and provides professional resumes for you on their platform. These platforms help you highlight your strengths, tailor your experiences to specific roles, and ensure your resume is ATS-friendly.

Optimizing LinkedIn for Networking

LinkedIn is more than just a job-hunting site; it's a networking powerhouse. Engage with and connect with former colleagues to boost your profile’s credibility. Regularly engage with industry-related content to increase your visibility. This can lead to new connections and potential job leads.

Effective Networking Strategy

A strategic approach to networking can open many doors. Create a comprehensive list of contacts and categorize them (colleagues, industry contacts, friends, etc.). Use Excel or a similar spreadsheet tool. Include colleagues, friends, neighbours, teammates…anyone who can market your availability. Reach out with a clear message and a specific ask – let them know you're open to opportunities. When reaching out, personalize your messages, and be clear about your current situation and what you seek. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, though you may feel vulnerable. You’ve been building that network; it’s time to put it to good use! Rock that Open to Work banner!

Targeting Dream Companies

Identify companies where you'd love to work. Follow them to stay updated on their news and job openings. Your LinkedIn feed will include more relevant information for you; engaging with their content can also get you noticed by the company’s recruiters.

Job Boards Beyond the Usual

Exploring less common job boards can uncover hidden opportunities. Folk lists more than 350 companies that are currently hiring and update this list dynamically.

TrueUp is a great resource for discovering active hiring in the tech industry. These platforms often list jobs that aren't posted on more mainstream sites; bookmark them for your searches.

Roadmap: A Specialized Job Search Tool

Roadmap is a tool designed specifically for job searches and levelling up. It provides personalized guidance, from identifying suitable roles to preparing for interviews. Utilizing such tools can significantly enhance your job search efficiency.

A solution for your career, from resume to strategy

Career.io brands itself as “The only AI and human-powered career platform where you can find everything you need for any step of your job search or career growth, all in one place.” What this means is that on their platform, you’ll find various services, from resume and cover letter building, and salary analyzers to job search strategies to help you focus on what you’re trying to accomplish, while eliminating the noise. You can choose from several options: Finding a new job; Excelling in your current career or Making a career change. They even list Hiring Events. Have a look!

Developing New Skills

Consider using your time to develop new skills or improve existing ones. Online platforms offer courses in various tech domains. Upskilling not only makes you more marketable but also boosts your confidence. There are a multitude of sources for this, whether it’s Coursera, Udemy, or YouTube to name a few. Just know that you will at some point have to demonstrate your newfound knowledge. One thing I recommend to everyone is to learn Excel. It’s one of those tools that everyone needs, whether they’re a game designer or figuring out the family chores schedule.

Taking Care of Mental Health

Job loss can be stressful. Pay attention to your mental health during this time. Engage in activities that reduce stress like meditation and consider seeking support from career counsellors or support groups.

Layoffs are challenging, but they can also be a catalyst for growth and new opportunities. With the right tools, strategies, and mindset, you can navigate this period successfully and emerge stronger on the other side.

Remember, every setback is a setup for a comeback. Stay positive, stay focused, and use these strategies to propel your career forward. Your job is to get a job. Let’s go.

Full credit to Bonnie Dilber for inspiration on this post. She shared most (all?) of these resources some time ago in her newsletter, Landed. If you’re not already, FOLLOW HER.