Bouncing Back After Layoffs: Strategies for Success

Jun 17

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of speaking on a panel at the Aspiring Sellers Summit hosted by Sistas In Sales. The topic was "Resilience in a Turbulent Economy: Navigating Layoffs and Rebounding." It was an insightful and helpful discussion! For my readers in sales, I highly recommend you check out Sistas In Sales. SIS is a global force redefining sales leadership for women of color.

My Layoff Experience

The first time I experienced a layoff was from my first job in digital advertising. I had transitioned out of cable advertising and given up a nice corporate job to join a startup. I had been at the startup for two years when the company went through an acquisition, affecting many teams. They laid off my entire sales team!

When I was laid off, a range of emotions swept over me. I was in shock and took it personally. I had always considered myself a hard worker. Initially, I thought it was due to our team's performance, but we were hitting our numbers. I went from being confused to sad to feeling betrayed and then angry.

Practical Tips for Bouncing Back After Layoffs

Take Time for Yourself

After a layoff, our natural inclination might be to jump right back into a new job. Please don't do that. It's essential to take the time to process everything and care for yourself. Your mental health will thank you. Here's how:

Process Your Feelings: Don't take it personally. Layoffs are a part of business; give yourself some grace.
Spend Time with Loved Ones: Lean on your support system. Spend time with family and friends who uplift you.
Take a Break: Before jumping into the job search, take care of yourself first. Go on that trip you've been putting off.

Network & Explore Opportunities

When you're ready to get back to business:

Revamp Your Goals: Update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
Connect with Industry Peers: Have lunch or coffee with friends and old colleagues in your industry.
Attend Networking Events: Go to as many networking events as you can. My goal was to secure a new job in 2-3 months. I created a schedule where I applied for jobs Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. On Fridays and weekends, I focused on wellness and fun activities.
Stay Consistent: In 2 months, I secured my next job with a $25K salary increase.

Learn Something New

Use the time between jobs to learn new soft skills. People often underestimate the importance of soft skills, but they are crucial. Consider:

Taking an Online Course: Platforms like LinkedIn Learning offer numerous courses.
Attending Specialized Events: Network and learn from industry experts.