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

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.

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

 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

 Loved ones?
 Coworkers?
 Mentors?
 Networking contacts?
 Recruiters?
 Publicize?
 Keep it Quiet?
2: Share News: Job Search!

3: Reflect on Why?
 Passion
 What makes you happy?
 Pause
 Reason for change?
 Purpose
 Which jobs are right for
you?

4: Update Online Presence
Develop Your Own Persona
Be consistent

4: Online Comms: Email & Site
 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

 Forbes
 Liz Ryan, CEO of Human Workplace
 LinkedIn Pulse Articles
 The Muse
 Triangle Biz Journal
5: Assess Based on Insights

 Update it
 Redesign it
 SEO it
 Have it reviewed
 By MORE than one person…
6: Redesign Your Resume

 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

6: Resume Design Ideas

 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
 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

 Quality over quantity
 Is 10 jobs apps a day a
good idea?
9: Productive Results

 Let job sites & listservs work for you.
 CareerBuilder
 Monster
 Indeed
 LinkedIn
 Social Media
9: Productive Results

 Be a part of a group
 Doesn’t have to be a Networking Group
 Volunteer organization – find your cause
10. Networking: Be Active

 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

 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

 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

10. Networking

 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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How to Survive a Layoff, Job Search & Network Smarter

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