This article originally appeared on Business Insider.
This essay is based on a conversation I had with someone. Amanda Nielsen, a partnership manager based in Denver. Edited for length and clarity. Business Insider has confirmed her employment history.
I have worked in partnerships throughout my career.
I had been working for a company in the software industry for four years when the company did a layoff. I survived the cutbacks, but much of my team was laid off and work didn’t feel the same. I was open to the idea of ​​a new role when the perfect opportunity presented itself.
A manager from another company in the same industry contacted me and made me a job offer I couldn’t refuse.
I accepted the offer. Shortly after I joined the company, a new leader was appointed at the executive level.
In October 2023, nearing my 60th day with the company, the company laid off most of its staff. My entire team was fired, including my manager and myself.
It was a shock because the company had gone to great lengths to recruit me, make me an attractive offer, and onboard me.
I felt naive and stupid. I had just announced my career change to my entire network and told everyone about my new responsibilities. There were also practical concerns. I had just set up insurance and was seeking a 401(k) rollover. Also, having my entire team fired made me question my abilities and what it looked like from the outside.
Difficulties in job hunting
Once I collected myself, I went on LinkedIn and let people know that I had been laid off and was looking for a new opportunity. I also started applying for jobs online.
Even though I was open-minded about the role and had a solid resume and network, I had a hard time job hunting.
One thing that has changed since my last job search four years ago was the pandemic and the rise of remote work. Suddenly, I was competing with people from all over America and the world.
In the past, I felt that a cover letter and personal application would be enough to get me in. But this time it didn’t work.
Strategy that worked for me
I took a step back and tried some other strategies.
I got the job within 3 months. I currently work as a Partner Sales Manager at Box, which I started in February. I think it’s because of some of the work I did after I was laid off.
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Be honest about your journey on LinkedIn: When I posted on LinkedIn about being fired, a lot of people reached out to me for help. I joked that my calendar was just as full during my job search as it was when I was working full-time. I also continued to post content about my job search, which may feel embarrassing and uncomfortable, but it helped people know that I was still in the market.
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Here’s what happens when you ask people in your industry for a coffee chat. I started attending in-person networking events and asking people in my industry for coffee chats. It improved my connection with them. Getting out of the house has helped me feel more productive.
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Ask for referrals: When I realized that my cover letter wasn’t working as well as it used to, I considered how else I could stand out. Once I applied, I sent thoughtful notes to the hiring manager and asked other people working there if there was anything I could do to help. I also tried my best to reach out to “loose connections” with whom I had never worked directly, to get introductions before applying.
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Freelance work: I allocated more time to my side hustle, a small e-commerce platform where I sell products and provide freelance consulting. Although I wasn’t ready to pursue my own business, freelance work helped me expand my network and get feedback on my skills. After being laid off twice, I also learned the importance of having multiple sources of income.
These steps kept me hooked and helped me find job leads, including my current role.
When my current boss was looking for someone to expand his team, he reached out to his network for recommendations. My frequent posting and continuous networking kept me in the spotlight and I was recommended to my boss by several people.
Looking back, I’m grateful for the layoff because it opened up opportunities for me, no matter how painful it was.
