In this two-part blog series, we’re sharing practical steps to help you move forward after a layoff. In Part One, we highlighted how to navigate your company’s layoff process. Here, we offer strategies to begin your job search with purpose.
Reflect on What You Want
Transitions often spark strong feelings and sometimes offer new perspectives on your career path. For many of us, however, finding clarity takes time. You can benefit by taking a slight pause to reflect on what you want next before applying to new roles. To help, consider the following:
- Use the dictate-to-text feature in your phone to capture your stream-of-consciousness thinking in response to prompts like “At what moments did I feel most energized in this role? Did anything get in my way? What did I like best about the role, the culture and the team? What was missing?”
- Be realistic as you consider your timeline. Do you need to find a new role immediately, or can you take some time to explore new, unexpected paths? Recognizing your reality will help you set priorities and avoid unnecessary stress.
- Set up time with an Alumni Career Coach who can help you deepen your insight and shape a plan that fits your timeline.
Embrace AI in Your Search
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini can save time and even help envision the art of the possible. For example, upload your resume, your reflections on #1 above, and ask the tool to recommend a list of top 10 roles that a person with your background and location would be suited for (and include the pros and cons for each). Continue refining and iterating. If you’re unsure where to start, ask the tool how it can help you in any step of your job search.
Create Objectives and Goals for Your Next Role and Organization
You won’t share this externally, but it will serve as an important touchstone as you navigate a potential months-long search (Tip: Use generative AI to help craft this wording and brainstorm alternate versions). A detailed objective will facilitate the next steps in your job search such as market research (defining target companies) and informational interviews, marketing materials (resume/LinkedIn profile) and networking.
Activate Your Network
Once you’ve clarified your objective, tap your community for help. Sign up for local Darden alumni events, join virtual groups related to your field and add “Open to Work” in “recruiter view” on your LinkedIn profile. Consider joining the Darden Hiring Network, a monthly email highlighting career bios of Darden alumni job seekers. These actions, in addition to the targeted outreach you’ll send to companies of interest, help get the word out that you’re looking for your next opportunity.
Be Intentional with Your Time
The job-seeking experience can feel very unstructured. Map out how you’d like to spend each day, and be specific about it, ensuring that you include time for activities that center you. What hours will you dedicate to research companies? To find connections and start conversations? To exercise and fuel your body?
Don’t Go It Alone
Suddenly changing from a fast-moving workplace with dozens of stakeholders to the quiet of a job search driven by self-motivation can be jarring. Alumni Career Services hosts the DCCT, a biweekly meeting for fellow Darden alumni seeking new roles to share ideas, strategies and support during what can be a stressful time. Reach out to Alumni Career Services for information.
Watch Out for Traps
Don’t get lured into time sinks like endlessly applying to roles posted on LinkedIn and online job search platforms. While these can be a vehicle for finding your next job, companies often have candidates already in the pipeline by the time a role gets posted, and it can be hard to stand out. Spending most of your time on networking is a better ROI for your time and energy, and it can also help you generate leads before a role gets posted.
Be Kind to Yourself
Yes, it is a tough job market. But you have your Darden family to support you—and to leverage—as you find your ideal next role. Prioritize your wellbeing. You have a great story to tell, and the coaches at Alumni Career Services can help ensure you are best positioned to share it. You got this!
