Finding a New Job, Post Lay-Off
If you aren’t aware by now, I was laid off in January 2024, two days after returning to work (remotely) from Medical Leave. No warnings or anything, just an email to join a meeting then the deed was done.
I wasn’t mad, sad or angry. I was just like, “what the hell?!” Through it all, I didn’t allow the lay-off to make me feel less than because of my faith. Although I had no idea what was going to happen or my new financing plan to pay medical bills, I knew what I had in store & what I was capable of.
The week of my lay-off, I booked my very first commercial, with RayBan Meta (this was a HAAUUGGEEE secret to keep); secured new monthly contracts as a Content Creator; created a new eBook, “So You Were Laid Off, Now What?”; & began updating my website Membership.
As easy as it was to type all of that out, please know that a lot of hard work went into it.
I didn’t search for a new job immediately, I knew I had many things to do & process. So I took the time to re-budget my life & plan for the months to come.
Upon listening to Podcasts, Gary Vee inspired me to return to LinkedIn…IYKYK… & if you don’t know—when Gary Vee advises you (us) to start posting on an app… THAT’S WHAT YOU DO.
Here’s what intrigued me the most about his LinkedIn comments:
LinkedIn is not what we’ve always known it as. It’s now the “old” Facebook
Post on LinkedIn like you do everywhere else. Show your skills & I bet you snag the job/position you’ve been dreaming of.
I joined.
I posted.
I concurred.
I secured a new job.
Now… again… as easy as it was to type all of that out, please know that a lot of hard work went into it as well. I did not get a new job overnight, it was four months after being laid off & before that, it was countless application submissions, a number of interviews, multiple call-backs, being ghosted & being rejected.
There was one job that I just kknneeewwww I had in the bag: constant follow-up upon submission, FIVE interviews & meeting the team onsite. But guess what? I was GHOSTED.
I only found out I didn’t get the job because I CONTACTED THEM then they responded with the typical HR response… “we’ve decided to move on with another candidate but will keep your file…” This one truly annoyed me because the Director was…well…seemed to be a stickler about communication. But she ended up ghosting ya girl :\. I responded to the email, requesting feedback but there was pure silence. So I said to myself, “it’s definitely not me, it’s them!!”
I didn’t sulk. I called a spade, a spade & moved on… while also hoping their social media views would sank. LOL We’re being honest here, aren’t we?!
I eventually found the job that would be mine. I saw the LinkedIn post, accessed the website & started the application process…only to find that there was an unknown error so I wasn’t able to submit my application. I called for assistance & was informed no one else had issues (I can’t tell you how happy I was to actually be able to SPEAK to someone regarding the position. Applying for a job these days is like going through the Matrix. It’s all Recruitment this, Recruiter that), so both the HR Rep & I tried while on the phone then I was able to submit the application!
Till this day, I say she was the magic touch I needed.
I received my first update via email & that was to submit their detailed application for an interview to be scheduled. I submitted that & after about four days, I followed-up for an update regarding the mentioned interview. I received a timely response & was informed that the hiring reps were offline until the following week & I would receive an update then. I waited, received the email on the date mentioned, locked in the interview, kicked ass & now I’m an Assistant Wellness Marketing Program Coordinator.
The schedule is to die fooorrr. Remote with some onsite days for events. The best part— my self-taught experience on social media & creating my website helped me secure the job! Once upon a time I used to keep my social media life completely separate but as I became more active & consistent it was eventually impossible, so I said “screw it… here I am.”
I’m thankful this position & I found each other. I am working with a team that actually feels like a team. My old Supervisor, Silvia, ahhh, I knneewww she would be a hard act to follow. So I had to keep in mind that I more than likely wouldn’t find another Supervisor like her.
Anyone who knows her, knows that she is definitely & without a doubt, a hard act to follow but I’m happy to say I’m working with a team who has beautiful attributes & an outlook on work-life balance similar to hers.
When I was laid off & told her that I don’t plan to return to the same field, she said, “I know what you want. Go for it. Don’t settle & don’t look back. But if you need me, I’ve got your back.”
She’s a perfect example of one of the reasons why I’ve never been against people having a 9-5 job. There are people you meet who have your back. She had mine & many others for years. She taught us a lot & will forever be an inspiration to me.
So if you’ve recently experienced a layoff or still on a hunt for a new job, don’t feel defeated. Keep pushing, keep posting, keep applying, keep CALLING (don’t underestimate it) & keep showing up for yourself.
I believe in you, but I want you to believe in yourself more!
Chat soon!
xoJR
