I Got Laid Off. My Network Showed Up.
The day I was laid off, I drove home with a plan. Three things, in this order:
Review the resume I already had.
Sign up for LinkedIn Premium.
Look at my network.
Notice where the network landed. Third. I'd love to tell you I knew better, but I didn't. Like most people, I thought a job search started with paperwork and a 30-day free premium upgrade.
I was wrong, and I figured that out fast. Of the three, the network is the only one that made the phone ring.
The people I hadn't talked to in forever
Here's the honest part. When I was working full time, parenting, and running to my kid's sports events, I did not keep up with the people I met at conferences, at work, and at networking events. I admired a lot of them. I just didn't have the time.
So when I opened up my contacts, I felt a little awkward. Some of these people I hadn't talked to in more than a year. Would this feel cringy, would people be judgy?
At first, it felt a little cringy, I felt awkward reaching out to people after a year and in a time that I needed something. But were people judgy? ABSOLUTELY NOT! And maybe that is just because I have a baller network, but I doubt it.
The happy hour that changed my search
Enter Michele. A colleague I worked with three jobs ago. We'd casually stayed in contact, primary catching up on job searches and work updates. So when she agreed to meet for a drink (or two😉) we talked about what I was doing, what I was looking for and job level. She shared about a job she held that was open again, NOT POSTED, and that she thought the organization was probably still looking to fill it.
She made an internal connection, that brought me to a recruiter and search firm, honestly two weeks later I had the offer.
That one conversation did more for my search than clicking multiple 'Easy Apply' links.
Michele showed up. My network showed up. They made connections, they kept me in mind when they heard about openings or conferences, they celebrated me having an interview and ultimately landing a job. They were phenomenal. It is something I will never forget.
I never had to say "please hire me." I just had to show up and be clear about what I was looking for.
How to reach out when it's been a while
If you're thinking, "Great, but I haven't talked to these people in two years," you're in good company. Here's how I'd do it:
Who to start with
People you admire
Former coworkers and managers
Contacts from conferences and networking events
What to send Keep it short and warm. Something like:
Hi [name]! It's been too long. I'd love to catch up, I'm exploring a new opportunity and would love to [get your advice on a role, thoughts on a company, etc].
What to say when you get the meeting This is where The Reset Framework comes in.
When you know the skills you love using and the kind of role you want, people can actually help you. "I'm open to anything" gives them nothing to work with. "I want a role where I use [skill]. I recently completed [project success story] and seen how beneficial it was for the organization." gives them a story along with your name to pass along.
By getting clear on what you want first (that's Recovery feeding Redesign) you can let your network do what it does best, connect.
Need help building your network? Don't know where to start?
That's completely normal, and it's exactly where I come in. Let's connect for a free consultation. We'll get your resume clear on what you want to do next, and then I'll help you fill in the blanks on who you should connect with from your contact list.
You may be sitting on a stronger network than you realize. Sometimes it just takes a second set of eyes to see how to connect the dots.
When a forager bee finds a great patch of flowers, she flies back to the hive and tells the others where to go. She doesn't hoard it. The whole hive eats better because of what one bee found.
Your network works the same way. You are not supposed to find every opportunity alone, and the people who care about you are often the ones holding the map. And we won't ask them to do a waggle dance to prove it (IYKYK) 🐝
Your turn
Who is one person you've been meaning to reconnect with? Go send the message today.
And if you want help building your network, book a free consultation here.
FAQ
How do I use my network to find a job after a layoff? Start with people you admire, former coworkers, and contacts from conferences. Ask for advice and introductions rather than a job, and be specific about the kind of role you want.
How do I reach out to someone I haven't talked to in years? Keep it short and honest. Say it's been a while, tell them what you're exploring, and ask for a quick coffee or call. Most people are glad to hear from you.
What should I ask for in a networking conversation? Ask for their perspective and for introductions: "Who else should I be talking to?" This feels easier for them to answer than a request for a job.
What if I don't know where to start building my network? Book a free consultation. We'll get your resume clear on what you want to do next, then work out who to connect with from your book of business or contact list.
Is LinkedIn Premium worth it for a job search? It can help, but it won't replace real conversations. In my search, reaching out to people I already knew did more than any tool.
What is The Reset Framework? A three-step job search process: Recovery (get clear on your skills, salary expectations, and target roles), Reflection (turn your experience into a resume that stands out), and Redesign (show up to interviews prepared, consistent, and backed by your network).
