How to Survive a Layoff, Job Search & Network Smarter
1. {
10 Steps to Survive a
Layoff, Job Search,
and Network Smarter
Lindsay K. Saunders
@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders
2. 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
@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders
3. 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.
@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders
4. 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
@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders
5. 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
@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders
7. 3: Reflect on Why?
@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders
Passion
What makes you happy?
Pause
Reason for change?
Purpose
Which jobs are right for
you?
8. 4: Update Online Presence
@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders
Develop Your Own Persona
Be consistent
9. 4: Online Comms: Email & Site
@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders
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/
10. 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
@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders
11. Forbes
Liz Ryan, CEO of Human Workplace
LinkedIn Pulse Articles
The Muse
Triangle Biz Journal
5: Assess Based on Insights
@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders
12. Update it
Redesign it
SEO it
Have it reviewed
By MORE than one person…
6: Redesign Your Resume
@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders
15. 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
@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders
Jobs to Apply For
Title
Company
Link
Source
Secondary Link
Requirements
16. An Integrated Routine
Productivity
Goals
Schedule
Change in scenery
Balance
Stress?
Benchmarks
8: Make a New Routine
@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders
17. Quality over quantity
Is 10 jobs apps a day a
good idea?
9: Productive Results
@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders
18. Let job sites & listservs work for you.
CareerBuilder
Monster
Indeed
LinkedIn
Social Media
9: Productive Results
@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders
19. Be a part of a group
Doesn’t have to be a Networking Group
Volunteer organization – find your cause
10. Networking: Be Active
@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders
20. 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
@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders
21. 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
@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders
22. 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
@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders
24. 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
@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders
25. What Did I Miss?
@LindsayKelleyS lindsayksaunders.com/ in/lindsayksaunders