It’s only the second month of the year, and we’re already seeing a new trend in the workplaces across numerous industries: mass layoffs. According to CTV News, some 1000 Canadians were laid off in 2023 alone. Some estimate the 2023 tech layoffs in the U.S. to be around 23,000. Some have even regarded this trend seemingly started by a certain CEO-billionaire whom we shall not name. Regardless of where it started, it’s starting to spread so rapidly, websites like layoffs.fyi and wraltechwire.com have started recording these instances.
And as discouraging as this topic may seem, we also mean to offer this blog post as a means of empowering you, the worker. Workers, especially those without much seniority or say in their position at their current workplace, often feel powerless in recessions and mass layoffs. So, hang in there.
The following are our top six tips, broken down into the different stages of this transitory period.
In Anticipation of Mass Layoffs
Of course, no one can truly anticipate the overwhelming and all-encompassing losses in layoffs. But you can have some measures put in place in anticipation of tough times, as others have been through already this year and in the past three years, especially. And like emergency first-aid and power-outage kits, we hope you don’t have to use them. But having backup systems in place can often mean the difference between massive losses and survival.
1. Update Your Resume With Your Latest Successes
Every month or few months, I like to update my C.V. to make sure, if I ever need to submit my information at a moment’s notice, I’m representing myself accurately and fairly. This means updating any work contracts I’ve taken on or finished since the last time I’ve opened it. But this also means updating anything significant I’ve done in my field, from finishing a major project to attending a conference or workshop. Even if I’m not looking for a new job, I’m writing these details down to not sell myself short for when the time does come.
The above may look different for each worker, however. For instance, if you’re in marketing or sales, you may want to keep track of your KPIs, so you can show in a numeric value how valuable you have been for your current employer. This article on LinkedIn News by Andrew Seaman notes that you should also save any praise or successes you’ve received, as well. Not every success or metric will be measurable, but evidence will prove what you claim, so save performance evaluations and emails regularly.
2. Start Looking for a New Job Before You’re Laid Off
According to Tier2Tek, a staffing solutions company, job seekers should actually start surveying the available opportunities even before being officially laid off or let go permanently. As a rule of thumb, they say to “think about how the layoff potential makes you feel. Do you feel you may never be comfortable or safe in your job position again? If so, then you should start interviewing for other gigs in general.”
If you do enjoy your current workplace, however, you can always push interviews back. Just make sure you’re not burning any bridges you may want to traverse later!
In the Case of Mass Layoffs
The aforementioned Tier2Tek article has some very encouraging and helpful information regarding layoffs. One in particular is the point that layoffs, as devastating as they are for the worker, are not indicative of poor work from the individual. Often, layoffs are based on hierarchy and other factors that you may not be in control of whatsoever.
Of course, it’s important and healthy to acknowledge your emotions and initial reactions to this news, but many experts agree that you should never burn any bridges. So, when processing this information, remember to only speak to those you trust with your true emotions. Then, maintain formality and respect with your employer, even if the layoff was devastating to you.
3. Share the Not-So-Good News
If you’re able to leave your workplace on good terms, especially with your former supervisor or manager, keep in touch! You never know what may come up with any connections they may be able to share. As well, spread the word widely among your friends and family. You never know the kind of connections you may find through friends or relatives.
As well, make sure to change your status on LinkedIn to #OpenToWork. This hashtag on LinkedIn is full of others sharing their experiences of being laid off and seeking new employment opportunities. And you might not realize how helpful this is! Many recruiters will take notice of these job seekers, even beyond their direct connections.
To do so, go to your profile on LinkedIn by clicking “me” on the main menu bar, then clicking “Open to” below your profile picture. There, you’ll find the choices of either offering your services or you as a worker to recruiters on the website.
4. Filter Your Job Searches
It’s completely understandable to feel a bit anxious and desperate the moment unemployment hits. But if you have the means to, try to not “settle” for a job you’re not particularly enthusiastic about. Instead of scrolling through all job postings available in your area, use specific filter tools to refine your job searches. On LinkedIn, you can search by location, job title, and posting date. This last point is especially one you don’t want to gloss over!
Your job searching time is precious, and this process can be exhausting mentally and emotionally. So, don’t waste your time on postings that are old and may be “ghost jobs.” Instead, stick to only the most relevant and recent job postings you see online. If you’re unsure if a job posting is still active, feel free to reach out and ask. But by no means should you panic-apply and settle for just any job.
As Co-founder of Onwards HR Sarah Rodehorst notes for NPR, “It may feel like the sky is falling, but it is temporary. And according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, actually 66% of workers find new employment in fewer than 15 weeks.”
In Anticipation of Your Next Big Gig
Most of the time when job seeking, the hardest part is getting an interview. So, once you’ve accomplished this, you want to feel prepared and confident so you nail the interview.
5. Get Advice (Or Confidence!) For Improving Your Next Interview
While browsing the #OpenToWork section on LinkedIn, I noticed this very encouraging post from a job seeker named Ryane. In her post, Ryane says she needed expert advice on interviewing feedback because she’d had many interviews, but they all led to a dead end. She wondered if there was something she was doing wrong, and if so, what that something might be to improve on.
Desperate for help, Ryane ended up finding and signing up for a mock interview with a LinkedIn member, Gemma Dendurent. The two had never met before and Ryane wasn’t applying for a job at Gemma’s place of work, but Gemma was happy to help Ryane with some feedback on her interview process. And this practice interview, Ryane notes, is all she needed for a confidence boost.
So, check out opportunities like this on LinkedIn. Ask your friends, family members, or other professionals in your field of work to see if they wouldn’t mind offering a mock interview.
6. Prepare to Talk (Confidently!) About Being Laid Off
Surely, being asked about a gap in your resume or being laid off is a special kind of hell. But it happens. So, we’d sooner have you prepared, so you don’t go into your next interview unprepared. This article from The Cut has great advice on how to structure a response to being asked about your layoff. Mainly, the article focuses on making sure you emphasize that mass layoffs are often indicative of internal decisions beyond your control.
Feel free to acknowledge that you were laid off, but also acknowledge that you were one of many impacted by this mass layoff. And more importantly, while you were at the company, you were a great asset to the team. And here is where you bring out your prepared materials from step 1.
Even if these aren’t applying to you and your current situation, it’s important to keep these tips handy for if you or someone you know may ever need it. Here’s wishing you don’t!
