So you’ve been laid off: Tips for what comes next
Advice from those who have been there.
This has been an exceedingly challenging year for PR professionals, with many talented individuals finding themselves out of a job through no fault of their own.
So what do you do when the rug’s been pulled out from under you and you need to start again?
More than 150 people responded to a call for answers on LinkedIn, sharing their perspectives as current jobseekers, people who landed new roles and hiring managers.
This is their advice, lightly edited for style and brevity.
Finding grounding and protecting your well-being
Bill Byrne, managing director/vice president of strategy, PR and earned media at Remedy Public Relations.
In hindsight, when I hit tough times, I wish I took a breath. Played more with my kid. Walked my dog. Went surfing more. It’s very difficult to shift your mindset towards enjoyment when the dollars aren’t coming in, but it’s one of the things I definitely do regret and wish I could do over.
Chad Corley, corporate communications and PR leader
Don’t allow the search to be all consuming. Yes, you need a job, but this is a very rare opportunity during a 40-50 year career where you finally have time for those things you’ve always said you didn’t have time for — volunteering at soup kitchen, hitting the gym, coaching your kid’s baseball team, driving to Niagara Falls, taking cooking lessons, learning to play an instrument. Spend two hours a day on the search and spend these rest on yourself, your family and others.
Scott Pruden, senior content writer at Haverford Systems Inc.
If it’s in your budget and you’re not already getting therapy, post layoff is an excellent time to start working with a mental health professional. Spouses, partners, friends and family can absorb only so much of your grief and anxiety, and people going through this process need a release valve that won’t result in trite platitudes and shallow encouragement. A professional can serve as a neutral sounding board and provide the skills you need to manage the emotional load both of being laid off and slogging through this brutal and demoralizing job market.
Heather Pocorobba, manager, internal communications & strategy, Cvent
Treat your job search like a job, but not a full-time job. Designate times for you to network, search and apply for jobs, and take additional trainings. And then use the other time for things that make you happy. Catch up with friends, enjoy your hobbies, go for walks, or volunteer in your community. Applying for jobs and not hearing back or being rejected can leave you feeling defeated. Find ways to bring joy and hope into your days.
Understanding today’s hiring landscape
Gini Dietrich, founder of Spin Sucks
This may be an unpopular opinion, but we are hiring right now (9 open roles), so we’re looking at it from the other side, and I have to tell you, I am shocked at the behavior of some candidates.
People who confirm an interview time, don’t show up, and then demand to reschedule. People who argue with the hiring manager when they are told they aren’t moving on to the next step. People who take video calls from bed. People who eat during interviews. People who don’t bother to take their PJs off or brush their hair.
It’s rough out there. I know not every hiring manager will communicate with you about where you are in the process or if you’ve lost out on a role. I know there is a lot of competition. And there are lots of things you can do to ensure you rise to the top, including being professional.
So my advice is this: if you’re interviewing virtually, make it look like you didn’t just roll out of bed (or take the call from bed). Make sure your internet works and isn’t spotty. If you need to reschedule, that’s OK! Just communicate that ahead of time. Don’t act entitled about the role or the process. Ask lots of questions. Be interested.
Ryan Cohn, partner and executive vice president, Sachs Media
Hiring is a slow motion marathon right now. Don’t get discouraged if you’ve interviewed for a position and haven’t heard back in several weeks. Many employers are stretched thin, balancing operational and client needs, and the ones who need help the most have the least time to manage the process. I posted a job three months ago and didn’t make a verbal offer until this week.
David Pedersen, freelance communications consultant
If you haven’t been in the job market for the last few years, give yourself some grace and patience: the space has completely transformed and demands a much more aggressive approach, especially for those in senior roles. Be realistic: a new job may not come anytime soon, but make sure you have a comprehensive approach that includes AI help, emailing hiring managers directly, and making sure to apply within the first 24 hours of the role being posted.
Maintaining readiness before you need it
Daniel Méndez Aróstica, senior communications executive and founder of #CommsJobs
I would like to be more proactive and talk to folks who have never experienced a layoff or job transition: Get ready now because it will happen at some point.
That’s just the game we’re all playing now, so stay ready so you don’t have to panic-build your life overnight.
- Keep your relationships warm.
- Give more than you take.
- Network when your house isn’t burning down.
- Apply to a few roles every once in a while, even if you’re happy in your current role.
- Take interviews just to keep the muscle alive.
- Prioritize building up your savings, if you are able to.
- And for the love of your future self, keep a portfolio and your wins documented outside company systems, because you never know when you are going to be locked out of your account.
When the layoff hits, you won’t rise to the occasion. You’ll fall to your level of preparation.
So prepare.
Building and leveraging your network
Cody Luongo, media consultant
I was laid off earlier this year from my in-house role, and the only reason I was able to bounce back was because I had spent so much time building a following over the years.
Comms people literally build brands for a living, but most of us do not spend enough time investing into our own personal accounts and reputation. One of the easiest ways to do this is to make sure you’re constantly connecting yourself to the work you’re doing — if you land a big story or win a major award for your client, let the world know about it. Our name isn’t in the byline or anywhere else, so you need to create a link between yourself and your work.
Kristen Hoffman, sales manager, EndeavorB2B
Unconventional advice: Connect with sales reps who sell into the industry. We tend to know what’s up, who’s hiring, who’s expanding, etc..
Nicole Schuman, managing editor at PRNEWS
If you had a good experience at your university — lean into alumni networks. There are many groups right on LinkedIn or Facebook or even Reddit where you could connect with someone that shares an affinity for where you spent your early days.
Lindsey Leesmann, senior copywriter, MERGE
Leaning into my connections — for a much-needed vent session or to possibly chase down my next move — has always been my go-to. I know it’s so tempting to isolate while you’re hurting, but I’ve always found that this is when my amazing community actually wants to step in the most (especially if you’ve always been there for them in the past)! The only catch is that you’ve got to be willing to be vulnerable enough to share your struggle in the first place, and not everyone loves that.
Jen Nycz-Conner, senior director, global enterprise communications, Hilton
Develop a networking strategy. Treat it like it’s a job, and give yourself as much structure as possible, including keeping set stop and start hours. Keep track of who you’re reaching out, and set and track outreach goals. That will help provide a sense of progress and keep you motivated.
Frame up your networking as asking for help and advice, not favors. Everyone wants to be helpful — who couldn’t use a little more good in the world right now? Do your homework and ask as specifically as possible so the person can respond efficiently. Are you asking about a specific job? For an introduction? For career guidance? To just get the word out? Make it easy for your contact to respond.
Finally, stay in touch when people say to do so — really! Let them know when you’ve connected with a mutual friend, or had an interview, or especially landed a new gig! In our overwhelmed inboxes, it’s nice to see a friendly name pop in with updates and especially good news — and what feels better than feeling like you actually helped someone, even in a small way?
Sharon Feder, director of internal & executive communications, ZOE
Find your community. I lead a local job search group that meets weekly and see first hand how powerful it is for people who are actively searching, and especially those who have been laid off, to have a supportive group they can turn to. These are people who understand the emotional rollercoaster of a layoff, share resources and advice (especially as best practices are shifting), and are there to lift each other up and keep momentum going.
Finding unorthodox opportunities
Emily Porro, editor & creator, Climate Positive Publishing
My advice is to research the industries that are getting funded right now. Those the ones that have money. It’s not time to follow your passion projects. If you’re working in PR. You really need to find the industries that can support the communications programs.
Myles Goldman, principal & manager, Boston Health Communications
My advice is to look for job postings in places people aren’t thinking about as much. Everyone looks at Indeed and LinkedIn’s jobs section, but think about places where people post jobs where fewer people are looking. This includes your local chapter of the Public Relations Society of America’s website, specialized LinkedIn Groups within communications or even Slack groups for communications, PR, and marketing professionals, which are on the rise.
Megan P. Sweeney, director of public relations, American Staffing Association
Admittedly I’m a bit biased, as I work for American Staffing Association, but staffing and recruiting firms have access to job openings that may not be publicly posted. Also, any good recruiting firm is paid by the company looking for workers, so it doesn’t cost workers to work with a recruiter. You’d be shocked at the number of PR and writing jobs available through recruiters, including some firms that specifically specialize in the area.
Demonstrating value and expanding your career path
Hinda Mitchell, president and founder, Inspire PR Group
What is of great importance for job hunters right now is the ability to see yourself in multiple roles and environments and then to be able to demonstrate that to potential employers. Translatable skills that apply in different sectors, in different communications functions, and even in adjacent roles beyond straightforward communications, such as chief of staff, project management, nonprofit leadership, or operations leadership, all can potentially leverage the practical experience and expertise of trained communicators.
Stephanie E. O’Neill, marketing and communications consultant
Don’t discount a pivot. Sometimes it’s necessary for survival.
Sandra Sokoloff, senior director of global public relations and corporate communications, Alvarez & Marsal
You need to demonstrate bottom line value. Speak the language of the companies you want to work for and the executives you want to work with. Far too often we frame our successes in terms of how many placements we generated rather than the impacts we had on the business.
Angee Linsey, career strategist
Practice how you tell your story. Not a jargon-filled elevator pitch — but who are you today? What results can you deliver? Answer the question, “I’m the one you call when …” and craft your positioning statement around that. And say it conversationally, not scripted.
Hollie Geitner, founder, Anchored Voice Consulting
I had never wanted to be an entrepreneur but being out of work this summer for the first time ever gave me the clarity I needed to take the leap into consulting. It’s scary and a huge learning curve but I feel more at peace knowing I can make a difference using my skills in a new way. And with so many corporations laying off, I’m hoping many will look to consultants to bridge the gap. Time will tell! My advice, if you’re even thinking about consulting, start an LLC and see where it takes you.
Jenny Sue Kakasuleff, communications director USIC
I was in the job market between June-Sept of this year. The uncertainty was scary, but the following helped me land two offers after applying for just 12 jobs:
- Do not “spray and pray”. Now isn’t the time to pursue stretch jobs. Find the ones you’re a really great fit for, then…
- Spend a few hours adjusting your resume to ensure your skills reflect the specific job requirements — use their keywords — and focus on outcomes instead of tasks.
- Don’t apply for jobs that have been up for more than 10 days (some will tell you not to bother if posted for more than 72 hours) or if it’s been reposted. Chances are, they’ve already selected top candidates who are moving through the hiring process.
- Use LinkedIn to find jobs but don’t doom scroll your newsfeed. The algorithm knows when you’re looking and feeds you the most depressing posts, which are bad for your mental health.
Regrets… I’ve got a few 😉
Thanks for including me!