Job Search

Navigating a Sudden Job Loss

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Losing a job is often unexpected and almost always jarring. Being resilient, however, is critical. Here are some steps you can take to move forward.

What To Do Immediately:

  • Take a deep breath. When a layoff is unexpected, it can trigger many emotions — including anger, fear, and anxiety. Give yourself permission to feel these emotions, but take a deep breath and recognize that you don’t have to do anything right now.
  • Retrieve all important work documents and files from your employer’s system. If you haven’t already done so, back up your personal files, emails, and documents from work-related accounts. Collect performance reviews, letters of commendation from supervisors and customers, and records of certifications and trainings.
  • Review your severance package (if you were offered one). Carefully go through the details of your severance, including information about your final paycheck, benefits, and unemployment eligibility. Clarify any ethics rules or confidentiality agreements that might affect your job search.
  • File for unemployment benefits. File immediately, as it can take time for approval (and some states have a one-week waiting period). Do a search for “unemployment benefits + (your state)” to find the information you need.
  • Check your health insurance options. If you had health insurance through your employer, you may be eligible to continue your coverage through COBRA. However, that may be more costly than pursuing health insurance through the federal marketplace, available at healthcare.gov), a short-term health insurance plan, or coverage through a spouse’s plan.
  • Pause all automatic payments. Make sure that any subscriptions, memberships, or services that were tied to your work email or credit card are stopped or changed to your personal email and payment method. Cancel anything nonessential. .
  • Refrain from social media rants. Future employers often search for candidates’ social media profiles, so keep yours positive and professional.

What to do in Week 1:

  • Update your job search documents. The first step is to update your resume and LinkedIn profile. Ensure your documents are up-to-date and tailored towards the role you want next. Focus on accomplishments, not standard responsibilities.
  • Reach out to your network. Let your friends, family, and former colleagues know you’re searching for a new job. Networking is one of the best ways to find new opportunities. Connect with them on LinkedIn. Ask past colleagues and supervisors for LinkedIn Recommendations.
  • Consider short-term employment. While searching for your next full-time position, consider freelancing, contract, or gig work to stay financially afloat.
  • Create a budget. One of the most important things to do after a layoff is to stabilize your finances.
  • Set daily goals. Without a work routine to keep you on track, it may be difficult to focus your time. Establish a schedule that includes setting aside specific time each day to complete job applications and network.
  • Join industry-specific groups or forums. Online communities can help connect you with job leads, networking opportunities, and moral support.

The First Month (Solidify Your Job Search)

  • Enhance your skills. Upskill and expand your knowledge. Spend time taking free or affordable online courses that can enhance your employability.
  • Prepare for interviews. The goal is to get in front of an interviewer, so start practicing early. Being well-prepared increases your chances of success in the interview — and being offered the job! Prepare your answers to common interview questions, and record yourself answering questions, or role-play a job interview with a friend or colleague.
  • Differentiate yourself. Assess your online presence. Do you stand out? If not, consider starting a blog, creating an online portfolio, or posting regularly on LinkedIn.
  • Check out job fairs and hiring events. Attend virtual or in-person job fairs where multiple companies and recruiting firms are represented. Practice your introduction — be able to describe yourself effectively in 30 seconds or less. And be prepared to address your job loss — if it comes up, provide a concise, positive explanation. (“I was one of six employees let go when my department was eliminated, but I’m ready to take on a new challenge focusing on my project management and leadership experience.”)
  • Apply consistently. A steady stream of applications increases your chances of securing an interview. Apply for 5-7 jobs every week. Tailor the resume and cover letter to the position you’re applying to. Keep track of the jobs you’ve applied for and follow up with recruiters and hiring managers 7-10 days after applying, when possible.
  • Practice self-care. A job search can be emotionally exhausting. Prioritize your mental and physical health while you are unemployed.

Networking Mastery

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Research suggests that anywhere as many as 80% of jobs are filled through networking. Networking can also be an important factor in a shorter job search. But how can you exercise your networking muscle?

Here are 10 different areas to focus on as you build your network:

  • Networking Foundations
  • Building Connections
  • Strengthening & Deepening Connections
  • Broadening Your Network
  • Leveraging Social Media for Networking
  • Expanding Beyond Your Comfort Zone
  • Offering Value to Your Network
  • Going the Extra Mile
  • Deepening Relationships
  • Reflecting & Reinforcing Your Networking Efforts

Here are a few suggested actions in each of the areas to get you started; I’m sure you’ll be able to think of more!:

Networking Foundations
  • Define your networking goals (for example: finding a mentor, a certain number of new LinkedIn connections, five new job opportunities, etc.)
  • Set a specific target for the number of people you want to connect with during this challenge
  • Craft your 30-second elevator pitch (that clearly communicates who you are, and what you do) so you can use it with new contacts
  • Identify your top 3 ideal networking connections
Building Connections
  • Send a LinkedIn connection request (with a personalized message) to someone in your industry
  • Comment thoughtfully on someone’s LinkedIn post
  • Join a LinkedIn group relevant to your profession or industry and introduce yourself
  • Ask a colleague to introduce you to someone they know who could help you grow your network
Strengthening & Deepening Connections
  • Write a personalized follow-up email to someone you met recently
  • Reach out to an influencer in your field and ask for advice on a specific topic
  • Share an article or resource with someone in your network
Broadening Your Network
  • Attend an event outside your industry to meet people with different perspectives and meet new types of professionals
  • Attend a community volunteer event or participate in a charity event to meet new people
  • Send a LinkedIn message to a recruiter to inquire about career opportunities
Leveraging Social Media for Networking
  • Create a professional bio for your social media profiles that clearly states who you are, and what you do
  • Host a LinkedIn Live or Instagram Live session discussing a topic of interest and invite others to join and contribute
  • Curate a list of recommended resources (books, podcasts, tools) and share it with your network
  • Share a professional accomplishment on LinkedIn and tag people who helped you get there
Expanding Beyond Your Comfort Zone
  • Join a meetup group related to an interest you want to explore further
  • Reach out to someone who is a few steps ahead of you in your career and ask for advice
  • Attend a cross-industry event to expand your networking horizons
Offering Value To Your Network
  • Offer to write a testimonial or LinkedIn Recommendation for someone you’ve worked with
  • Share a job opportunity that may be a good fit for someone in your network
  • Make an introduction between two people who could benefit from each other’s expertise
Going the Extra Mile
  • Host a virtual “office hours” session where you answer questions from your network
  • Attend a conference and actively network with speakers and attendees
  • Send a “just checking in” email to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, even if you don’t need anything from them
  • Send a thank you note to someone who has helped or mentored you recently
Deepening Relationships
  • Send a “check in” message to someone you haven’t talked to in a while
  • Ask a colleague or connection for feedback on a project or presentation
  • Invite a connection to a free industry-related event or webinar that could benefit them
  • Arrange for a casual coffee chat with someone you’ve recently connected with to get to know them better
Reflecting & Reinforcing Your Networking Efforts
  • Review your connections and identify key relationships you want to strengthen
  • Review your networking activities and determine which methods were most successful in helping you build meaningful relationships
  • Create a list of three action steps to continue improving your networking
  • Reflect on the types of people you’re connecting with and whether you’d like to broaden your network even further
  • Check-in with your key connections to see if there’s any way you can provide further value to them

Remember, the purpose of your network is not to get you a job but rather to build strong relationships to enhance your career through mutually beneficial relationships—whether it leads to a job or not. The time to build your network is NOW so it is there to support you no matter what happens to your career.

New Year, New Job

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A new year is a great time to assess where you’re at professionally. Is it time for you to make a job change? Or a career change? Here are concrete actions you can take over the next month to assess your situation and begin to move forward.

During this 21-day period, you’ll take consistent action in 5 different areas:

  • Where Are You Now?
  • Where Are You Going?
  • What Sets You Apart?
  • What’s Your Plan?
  • Let’s Do This!

For best results, enlist an accountability partner to help you complete the actions. Ideally, it will be someone who is looking to make a job or career change too, so you can keep each other accountable and on track. For best results, check in with each other daily.

Sample New Year, New Job Challenge Planner

  Day 1  Find the most recent version of my résumé and current job description.  
  Day 2  Brainstorm a list of what I need to add to my résumé (work experience, accomplishments, education, training, etc.)  
  Day 3  Spend 30 minutes considering whether I want a new job or a new career. Make a pros/cons list.  
  Day 4  Take the Clifton StrengthsFinder skills assessment.
  Day 5  Spend 30 minutes pulling together information for my brag book.
  Day 6  Brainstorm 10 possible job titles for the position I want.  
  Day 7  Create my “Dream Job” job description.  
  Day 8  Conduct a review of my skills, experience, and qualifications compared to my “Dream Job” job description.  
  Day 9  Spend 15 minutes answering these questions: What am I meant to do? How can I use my skills, education, and experience for maximum benefit? What kinds of problems can I solve for an organization?  
  Day 10  Outline five C-A-R accomplishments that I can add to my résumé and/or use in a job interview
  Day 11  Write up a list of honors and awards I’ve received.  
  Day 12  Research my target job salary.  
  Day 13  Think about how I got my last job and figure out if I can try that again.  
  Day 14  Make a list of the skills, training, and education I need for my next job. Research how to obtain one of these.  
  Day 15  Line up an accountability partner to help support me in my job search.  
  Day 16  Make a list of 10 organizations I’d like to work for.  
  Day 17  Make a list of everyone I know in my network.  
  Day 18  Spend 30 minutes researching prospective employers.
  Day 19  Reach out to one person in my network and let them know I’m looking for a new opportunity.  
  Day 20  Research 3 recruiters I’d like to work with and send them a LinkedIn connection request.  
  Day 21  Reach out to someone who works for the organization I want to work for. Ask them if they will meet me for lunch this weekend.  
Completing the 21-Day Challenge

At the end of the 21 days, review your progress. Do you have any leads on unadvertised openings? Any interviews or job offers yet? If not, don’t worry. The majority of this 21-day challenge is focused on preparing yourself for the job search, not conducting the job search.

Ready To Quit? Consider These Things First

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Many of us fantasize about quitting our jobs—usually in a moment of pique or fear. Over the last several weeks, many federal employees I have spoken with are seriously considering their options. Before quitting impulsively, consider the following:

  • Do you have a real plan? Have you mapped out your job search strategy? Have you assessed exactly what you’re looking for in your next job? Are you willing to move if necessary? Go into an office fulltime? Before you start to look for your next position, decide what is most important to you so you have clear parameters for your search.
  • Do you have another job lined up? If not, how quickly (realistically) do you think you can land another job? Can you afford to be unemployed? If so, for how long? Do you have high monthly payments? Have you created a budget?
  • Are your salary expectations for your next role realistic? No hiring manager cares what you “need” to make…they’re only interested in what they think the job (and you) are worth. If you work in a niche industry (such as astrophysicist) or high demand occupation (like cybersecurity), you’re more likely to be able to negotiate a high salary.
  • Is your resume updated and your LinkedIn robust? These are critical tools in every job seeker’s toolbox.
  • Have you removed your personal documents, emails, and contact information from work systems? If not, this is something you want to do before announcing your resignation. And of course, you’ll need to follow your organization’s rules regarding what documents belong to the organization.
  • Determine if there are ethics / conflict of interest rules which need to be followed as you search for your next role? Make sure you understand any restrictions on your search before getting started.
  • Review your medical and other benefits. How will you cover your health insurance if you are unemployed? Yes, you will likely be eligible for COBRA but do know that premiums may be much higher than what you ar used to. Have you taken a loan against your 401 (k) or Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)? How will you repay it? What are your options to rollover your 401 (k)?
  • Is this the right time to leave? Have you appropriately considered your options? What do you have to lose /gain by leaving? Would some time off help you gain some perspective?

Whatever you decide, make sure that your decision is well considered and if you do decide to leave, do so with grace and professionalism.

Fact or Myth? What Do You Know About the Modern Job Search?

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MYTH: Job postings represent real jobs. Job postings on USAJOBS do not always represent a specific opening. It is critical to read the fine print; you can recognize such jobs when you see language such as: This Public Notice will serve as a resume repository – positions may or may not be filled from this announcement. This is also true of private sector job postings. According to ResumeBuilder, 40% of companies admit to posting fake jobs on job boards in 2024.

MYTH: USAJOBS is an Applicant Tracking Software. USAJOBS is not an ATS; it is a system to collect applications for positions and then forward those applications to the hiring Human Resources office. Real Human Resources personnel read the resumes of qualified applicants.

MYTH: If I know I can do a job, I should apply. You should read the job qualifications; if you don’t have what they’re looking for in terms of skills, education, or number of years of experience, just “knowing” you can do the job is generally not enough. You’ll be competing against people who have all of the qualifications.

MYTH: My resume should reflect everything I have ever done. Most resumes these days only go back 10 years or so. I promise that no one cares what you did in the 1970’s or 80’s. And think about it, who would you rather hire? Someone who is doing it now or someone who hasn’t done in 20 or 30 years?

MYTH: Getting a job is quick. While it is possible to get the first job you apply for, it isn’t that likely. The ease of online applying means that hundreds if not thousands of applications are received for every posting.

MYTH: I can talk my way into a remote job, even if the posting says otherwise. Federal postings clearly articulate whether a job is remote or not; if it’s not listed as remote, do not count on being able to talk the hiring manager into making the job remote just for you (absent a reasonable accommodation). The private sector side has more flexibility but if the posting is specific about how many days per week you are expected to be in an office, believer them. At least until after you have proven yourself.

MYTH: I only need one resume. At a minimum, your resume needs to be tweaked for key words with each application. There is no such thing as a standardized generic resume anymore.

MYTH (sometimes): I need a cover letter. If you’re applying for a federal job and the posting does not require a cover letter, I recommend not providing one. If you’re targeting the private sector then yes, it is considered customary to include one. If you do write a cover letter it needs to be targeted toward the job you’re applying for, use key words, and clearly articulate your qualifications vis-a-vis the job.

These are just a few of the myths that exist about job search. What would you add?

Looking For A Job While Still Employed?

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The best time to look for a job is when you already have one. No hiring manager purposely decides to hire someone who is unemployed. Keeping your options open and making sure that you’re paying attention to what’s going on and having a resume ready to go is called “career cushioning;” something that should be part of your career strategy.

Here are some strategies for career cushioning:

  • Monitoring the job market
  • Preparing/updating job search documents and LinkedIn profile
  • Networking with recruiters and others who can assist with a job search
  • Arranging for informational interviews to learn more about an organization
  • Activating job search alerts and browsing job listings
  • Creating a target list of prospective employers
  • Applying for jobs
  • Researching opportunities in new career fields
  • Inventorying your skills and interests for alignment with future opportunities
  • Improve your personal brand by increasing your online visibility (blogging, social media engagement, etc.)
  • Upskilling/reskilling/training
  • Starting a side hustle that could become a job/career or taking on freelance work
  • Working with a resume writer and/or career coach

One of the most important parts of career cushioning is protecting your future.

  • What kind of job or career do you see yourself in a few years down the road?
  • What skills would that job or career require?
  • What steps do you need to take today to prepare yourself for a job search tomorrow or in the near future?

One key tactic for setting yourself up for success is networking. Connecting with individuals inside and outside your field can help you land your next role. Networking can help you identify unadvertised job opportunities, connect with recruiters and hiring managers, and learn more about an organization before you apply for an advertised opening.

Especially when pursuing a confidential job search, networking can help open door to finding the next job opportunity. No longer does networking mean just attending industry conferences and trade shows — connecting with contacts on LinkedIn and using LinkedIn messages to stay in touch can be just as effective.

Even if your position isn’t threatened, career cushioning is a smart strategy to ensure you’re being paid a market rate and you’re ready for an opportunity if it arises.

If you’re looking to learn even more, check out our other career resources.