What do you do if you're laid off but still want to stay connected to the industry?

Being laid off can be a challenging experience, especially if you're passionate about your industry and wish to remain a part of it. Staying connected is crucial not just for potential job opportunities but for maintaining relationships and keeping up-to-date with industry trends. It's important to proactively engage with your network, continue learning, and contribute to your field even when you're in between jobs. This article will guide you through practical steps to stay connected to your industry after a layoff, ensuring you remain a valuable and informed professional ready for new opportunities.

1 Network Smartly

Networking is more than just collecting contacts; it's about cultivating meaningful relationships. Start by reaching out to former colleagues and supervisors with personalized messages. Express your interest in staying in touch and offer your help where you can. Attend industry events and workshops, either virtually or in person, to meet new people and learn about the latest trends. Remember, networking is a two-way street; always think about how you can add value to your connections.

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Danny Maddox

SF Bay Area Native | Revenue & Marketing Operations Pro | 5X Acquisitions | Certified in Salesforce, Hubspot, Marketo, Salesloft, Tableau, Pardot, 6sense | Driving $1B Career Revenue Through Technology and Sheer Will.
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Oh, you got laid off? Welcome to the club, population: too many of us. Now, if you want to stay connected to the industry, start by not burning any bridges, yes, even that bridge to the boss who blindsided you with the pink slip during your vape break. Refresh LinkedIn, turn it into your new full-time hobby, and endorse your ex-colleagues for skills like "Coffee Making" or "Backstabbing." Maybe even start a podcast that only your mom and your cat will listen to. Stay relevant, stay petty, and above all, stay sarcastically optimistic! *** Check out my profile or follow me for more crazy insights about any and everything!

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Nicolás Serrano Espinoza

Analista de Desarrollo Organizacional | Asesorías de Empleabilidad en Tu Norte Laboral 🧭 | Recruiter | Administrador Público
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Puedes usar un plan de acción en fases para mantenerte conectado con la industria tras un despido, por ejemplo: Fase 1: Reconexión Personalizada Envía mensajes personalizados a antiguos colegas y supervisores para expresar tu interés en mantener el contacto y ofrecer ayuda. Fase 2: Participación Activa Asiste a eventos y talleres del sector, tanto virtual como presencialmente, para hacer nuevas conexiones y estar al día con las tendencias. Fase 3: Contribución Mutua Aporta valor a tus conexiones compartiendo recursos, ofreciendo tu expertise y colaborando en proyectos. Este enfoque te permitirá fortalecer tus relaciones y seguir siendo relevante en tu campo.

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2 Leverage LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a powerful tool for staying visible in your industry. Update your profile to reflect your current situation and career goals. Engage with content by commenting thoughtfully on posts and sharing relevant articles. You can also write articles or posts that showcase your expertise and perspectives on industry developments. This activity keeps you on the radar of recruiters and hiring managers who often use LinkedIn to find potential candidates.

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3 Volunteer Wisely

Volunteering can be a strategic way to keep your skills sharp and make new connections. Look for opportunities within professional associations or non-profits related to your industry. Not only does this show your commitment to your field, but it also gives you practical experience that can be highlighted on your resume. Volunteering can sometimes lead to paid positions or give you the edge in interviews by demonstrating your proactive nature.

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4 Continue Learning

The industry doesn't stand still, and neither should you. Use this time to upskill or reskill through online courses, webinars, or certifications relevant to your industry. This not only enhances your resume but also shows potential employers that you're committed to continuous improvement. Learning new skills can also open up opportunities in areas of your industry that you might not have previously considered.

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Nicolás Serrano Espinoza

Analista de Desarrollo Organizacional | Asesorías de Empleabilidad en Tu Norte Laboral 🧭 | Recruiter | Administrador Público
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Nunca es bueno en una entrevista responder "No estoy haciendo nada actualmente", por lo que siempre hacer un curso, diplomado, diplomatura, certificación o incluso autoestudio es provechoso, para mantenerte ocupado, seguir aprendiendo, actualizar conocimiento, sumarte a nuevas tendencias del rubro o simplemente ampliar tu horizonte.

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5 Contribute Thoughtfully

You can stay connected by contributing to your industry in meaningful ways. Write insightful blog posts, participate in forums, or speak at online panels and webinars. Share your knowledge and experiences; this positions you as a thought leader and keeps you engaged with the community. It's also a great way to get noticed by potential employers who value active and knowledgeable professionals.

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6 Stay Positive

Maintaining a positive attitude is essential during this period. It's easy to get discouraged, but your mindset can significantly impact your networking efforts and how others perceive you. Stay optimistic and open to new possibilities. Your positivity will not only help you cope with the situation better but will also make you more approachable and attractive to others in your industry.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Jason Yeazel

Recruiting | L I V I N
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What do you do if you're laid off but still want to stay connected to the industry? Continue to monitor the industry via news, and labor statistics.

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Alex Jouatte

Connecting SWE, ML & Research talent with leading hedge fund, prop trading firms & AI start-ups
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I'm naturally biased here, but the obvious answer is to connect with recruiters operating in the industry you're interested in. I always advise building relationships with 1 to 3 recruiters that you trust and know well, preferably having met them in person. That way, they can keep you posted about the market on a regular basis. Don't wait until you're laid off to build or reignite those connections. Be proactive. It's also much more pleasant to work with recruiters you know rather than entertaining dozens of new conversations every time you're looking for a move.

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What do you do if you're laid off but still want to stay connected to the industry?

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1 Network Smartly

2 Leverage LinkedIn

3 Volunteer Wisely

4 Continue Learning

5 Contribute Thoughtfully

6 Stay Positive

7 Here’s what else to consider

Recruiting

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What do you do if you're laid off but still want to stay connected to the industry?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Network Smartly

2 Leverage LinkedIn

3 Volunteer Wisely

4 Continue Learning

5 Contribute Thoughtfully

6 Stay Positive

7 Here’s what else to consider

Recruiting

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