- Don't be embarrassed.
- Increase the number of eyes and ears on the lookout for you.
3) Develop Your Messaging.
- Concisely explain what happened.
- Combat any perceived negative connotations with your messaging.
4) Craft a Personal Branding Statement.
- Develop a snappy statement to convey the skills you possess.
- Seek out input from those you have worked with to find out how others perceive your strengths.
5) Remain (Outwardly) Positive and Professional at All Times.
- Don't take it personally.
- Ask for the rationale behind the decision.
- Investigate your options.
- Check your bitterness at the door.
6) Move Quickly.
- Set-up a spreadsheet to manage and track communication.
- Check internal and external job boards as soon as possible.
- Start contacting members of your network immediately.
- Transition current work responsibilities.
- Reach out to others that have been impacted.
7) Mobilize your Broader Network.
- Determine who you know.
- Who am I currently working with?
- Who have I worked with in the past?
- Who do I know socially?
- Who do I know through my volunteer activities?
- Who else has been affected by the job eliminations?
- Reach out to people 1:1.
- This is kind of like shouting for help in an emergency.
- Zeroing in on 1 person at a time makes people more likely to help!
- Utilize online channels to spread the news
- eg.: email, instant message status, etc.
- Never discount a connection.
8) Assess Your Skills and Cast a Wide but Realistic Net
- Give your network the information they need to help you. Be specific.
- Determine what kinds of positions you are looking for.
- Assess how your skills could translate into related areas.
9) Be Visible.
- Attend networking events.
- Talk about your job situation without negative emotions.
- Meet with people even when you don't feel like it.
- Build your professional web presence.
- Share information about your status via social networks like Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter.
10) Graciously Accept and Direct Offers to Help
- Don't be shy about accepting an offer to help.
- Do all you can to direct that offer into discrete action that someone can take
- eg.: writing a Linkedin endorsement.
11) Follow-up. Prioritize but Track Down All Leads.
- Implement a strong system to organize your job search workflow.
- Follow up with connections regularly and as promised.
- Focus energy on positions with the highest probability of success.
- Never turn down a meeting or referral to meet someone new.
- Keep pushing forward.
12) Be Thankful and Close the Loop!
- Send a personalized thank you email after each informational meeting and formal interview.
- Communicate with your network after you accept a position so you can celebrate your success together.
- Consider doing something extra special to thank those that went above and beyond to help you.