If you have a job right now, you probably feel a bit of anxiety about being laid off. In this episode, we tackle that fear.

We are in uncharted territory right now. Unfortunately there isn't a lot you can do to prevent getting laid off. The 40 million people who have recently lost their jobs can attest to that.

But there's plenty to do to make yourself feel more prepared in the event you are laid off. In taking these actions, you'll distract yourself from the anxiety and build strong career design skills in the process.

In this episode, I'm diving into why these actions will help you feel less anxious about getting laid off:

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- Name your fears

- Round up your accomplishments

- Explore the landscape of possibilities

- Take advantage of free learning opportunities

- Start talking to people from other departments

If you're concerned about a future layoff and you can't stop thinking about it, listen to this episode and take action.

Plus, I talk about how unemployment numbers aren't affecting us equally.

As always, get my book: Punch Doubt in the Face: How to Upskill, Change Careers, and Beat the Robots

For the full list of resources mentioned in this podcast visit www.50conversations.com

Let's be honest: networking is awkward AF. Even in non-pandemic times, networking gives people anxiety.

So this episode is giving networking a makeover. Thanks to our global pandemic, networking now doesn't require standing around in awkward circles trying to make small talk with strangers.

There are plenty of low key options to network from the comfort of your own home.

In this episode, you'll get networking points just by:

- Telling people what you're interested in

- Joining online communities

- Popping into webinars and virtual happy hours

- Treating LinkedIn like Insta

- Talking to people that interest you

It's really that simple. Plus, how to reframe networking to focus on quality conversation.

Annnd we have music now! So that must mean we're moving up in the podcast world.

As always, get my book: Punch Doubt in the Face: How to Upskill, Change Careers, and Beat the Robots

For the full list of resources mentioned in this podcast, plus YouTube videos, visit www.50conversations.com

I've procrastinated fixing up my resume for a week. I may be a career expert but I am not immune to procrastination, especially when it comes to resumes.

This episode tackles the big, bad resume. But instead of giving you tips and tricks, I'm walking you through three automated tools to help you improve your resume the easy way.

Don't suffer through the resume writing process without help. These tools will sort you out:

ZETY: Writing resume bullet points is the worst. This takes the pain out of writing bullet points.

Zety is a user friendly resume builder platform with loads of templates. But the real benefit of this platform is that it has pre-written bullet points for your job title. Pop your job title into the tool, get resume-ready bullet points.

EMSI: Make sure you're communicating the right skills for the job you want. This resume-optimizer scans your resume and compares it to your target job title. The tool shows you which skills are on your resume that are relevant for the job you want. It's super useful for helping you improve your bullet points, and find skill gaps.

JOBSCAN: This is the tool that helps you get past the dreaded ATS machine and make sure it's actually seen by recruiters. Compare your resume with a job description that you want to apply to.

Upload your resume to Jobscan and you'll learn where your resume shines, where it fails, and how to make it better. It's like having a human review your resume, but faster.

Plus, I talk about why career coaches are valuable, how to find them, and then I recommend a human resume review company to help you out too.

As always, get my book: Punch Doubt in the Face: How to Upskill, Change Careers, and Beat the Robots

Another week, another brutal round of layoffs. The layoff numbers this week are up to 16 million Americans. In this episode I talk about those number, plus who is hiring and the types of jobs that companies are still hiring for.

This episode covers the three actions you need to take right after getting laid off:

- Get clarity on your path forward

- Set up job alerts to so you know the landscape of opportunities

- Create your layoff story

I talk about how to get clarity on your path forward to prepare you for a strategic job search that aligns with your current needs. I also talk about the value of job search alerts to save you time and how to overcome thinking that nobody is hiring or that you're not qualified for anything. I also cover how to tell people what you're looking for and avoiding the phrase "I'm open to anything."

If you know someone who just got laid off, send this their way.

For full show notes with links to job lists and homework mentioned in this episode, visit www.50conversations.com

Prepare for your next career move and the future of work with the new book: Punch Doubt in the Face: How to Upskill, Change Careers, and Beat the Robots.

Layoffs are awkward. So let's talk about. I want your layoff stories.

In this quick episode, I'm asking you to call in and share your recent layoff story. I want to know how it went and how you feel about it now. All perspectives are welcome. I'll use your anonymous stories in future episodes. More details about this project in the episode.

Plus, in this episode I share what it's like to be laid off via Zoom when everyone is working remotely.

Leave your story as a voicemail at ‪503-208-6037‬. Reminder: Keep your story under 2 minutes so we can play them in future episodes.

Prepare for your next career move and the future of work with the new book: Punch Doubt in the Face: How to Upskill, Change Careers, and Beat the Robots.

This is the episode where I talk about feelings. Specifically I’m talking about the three S’s: Shock, Stress, and Shame.

I talk about how to treat yourself right after the shock of a layoff and how to handle the stress of unemployment. I also talk about how to handle well-meaning people who ask you “What are you going to do now?” in a time of mass layoffs.

Plus, I share why there is absolutely no shame in getting laid off and why you should reframe and find solidarity instead. I end with some homework to help you get perspective on your next steps and a challenge to share your lay off story publicly.

If you know someone who just got laid off, send this their way.

For full show notes with links to job lists and homework mentioned in this episode, visit www.50conversations.com

Prepare for your next career move and the future of work with the new book: Punch Doubt in the Face: How to Upskill, Change Careers, and Beat the Robots.

Hello fabulous listeners. I'm interrupting my normal podcast episodes for something a bit different. As this fierce global pandemic rages on, I'm going to pause on talking about career changes and the future of work. Instead, I'm switching gears. For the next 10 episodes or so I'm going to talk about layoffs.

You may have seen the headlines by now: 3.3 million people have filed for unemployment. And it's only the beginning. There are a lot of more to come, and for those who have jobs, there is plenty of uncertainty and anxiety around layoffs.

So let's talk about it. I'm going to talk about multiple aspects of getting laid off. From what to do in your first week after layoff, to finding your next steps in uncertainty, to spending your layoff severance, to anticipating layoffs in your current job.

I'll still talk about upskilling, as it's still important in your career. I'll cover how to learn new skills with more discussion about how to find learning opportunities that position you for future roles.

As I noted in a prior episode, we don't talk much about layoffs in our culture. It's time to change that.

In this episode, I explain more about how I'm shifting the focus of this podcast for the near-future. Plus, I share how I was just laid off as well.

Got something on your mind about layoffs? Need a question answered?

Write me at [email protected]. I'll answer some of your questions throughout future episodes.

Wishing you all health and safety!

Need a new career book to help you? Check out my book: Punch Doubt in the Face: How to Upskill, Change Careers, and Beat the Robots.

As a society we don't talk a lot about layoffs. So in this episode we're tackling it head on. Kelly serves up her career story alongside an honest discussion about how to adjust after being laid off.

Kelly is a Senior Salesforce Business Operations Analyst who works in tech. She's also had a few career shifts along the way. She's done accounting work for a dental company, worked as a fabric librarian in interior design, and provided administrative support for a construction company.

Kelly shares how her career shifts haven't always been intentional. She's been laid off three times but her career story is one of success after layoffs. It's one filled with finding opportunity, reflection, and learning from experience.

Kelly shares how she's learned to be proactive instead of reactive so that she is always prepared for the unexpected at work. And she shares how she taught herself new skills to become a Salesforce power house.

Plus we talk how to respond to the question "why did you leave your company?" after a layoff and the difference between certificates and certifications.

Quotes I really appreciated from this episode:

"When you are working, always keep in the back of your mind that it could happen. There are so many changes that people make within their careers for so many different reasons. There are corporate mergers, companies that just don't make it, and all different reasons for people getting laid off. It happens. It happens a lot.

"It's helpful to be prepared. Document what you're doing currently in your career and make sure you're making those connections at work who could be a reference later on or know someone who might hook you up with a job. Expect the unexpected."

"No matter what industry you are in, you are going to find people who are passionate about what they do and whatever career they found for themselves. Find those people and talk to them. They will listen to you, answer your questions, and point you in the direction of more information."

"There might be options in your company. If you are thinking about trying something different, look for openings another department. If you have a good company and good relationships with the people you work with, they're a valuable resource."

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Thinking about a career change? Don’t do it all on your own. Get the book to help you figure out your next career. Explore my new book, Punch Doubt in the Face: How to Upskill, Change Careers, and Beat the Robots.

Need a speaker to help your audience upskill and navigate automation in the workplace? Check out my talks at: www.nicollemerrill.com

Reskilling. Upskilling. It seems like everyone is talking about skills lately.

New technology like automation and artificial intelligence are changing the workplace. Upskilling is a way to adapt to the changes in our workplace.

Upskilling is a verb and a mindset. It’s the act of learning new skills to improve your professional life. It’s also a willingness to accept that things are changing, take charge of your learning and development, and not burry your head in the sand.

This bonus episode dives into what it means to upskill and how to learn new skills. You’ll hear why you should upskill yourself and find ways to upskill your career. You'll also hear me say upskill a bajillion times.

This is part of my keynote Upskill Now: Adapting to the Age of the Agile Worker.

It's based on my new book Punch Doubt in the Face: How to Upskill, Change Careers, and Beat the Robots.

This episode on upskilling yourself covers:

- How to find the right learning experience to help you upskill

- How to upskill yourself while working

- How to find free learning opportunities in your workplace

- Choosing companies that provide a learning environment

- How to choose a digital bootcamp

- Why leaders and management need to upskill as well

For speaking inquires, visit www.nicollemerrill.com

Got thoughts on this podcast episode? Contact me at hello at 50 conversations dot com.

Emily's made a career out of her love of helping people solve problems and growing communities. In this episode, she shares how she's transitioned into the tech industry using her people skills across different roles to show us the many ways you can work in tech without learning how to code. Plus, did you know Google had a jean jacket? I didn't either until our discussion.

You'll also hear how Emily used reflection as a tool throughout her career changes and why it's so powerful to give yourself space to reflect as you explore a new path. She gives seriously good advice on how to actually make your career change happen.

This is the episode where we celebrate defying our parent's traditional career advice and and saying yes to new opportunities. Listen to this if you've got serious people skills and are curious where you fit into the tech industry.

Quotes I'm loving from this episode and I think you'll love too:

"Even at startups. You have recruiters, admins who support the team, people in finance, people like me who don't know how to. code and plan events. As long as you have an interest and willingness to learn about tech, you can always find a place for. yourself in tech. It's doable. If I did it, others can do it too."

"I'm a yes person. I jump at every opportunity."

"Because I live in San Francisco, you see a lot of people in tech who hop around in different jobs or have side projects. It's no longer being at a job for 3 to 4 years. It's the norm now to [jump around]. It's a very interesting shift. There are so many possibilities out there."

Thinking about a career change? Don’t do it all on your own. Get the book to help you figure out your next career. Explore my new book, Punch Doubt in the Face: How to Upskill, Change Careers, and Beat the Robots.