On this episode of Talk Bravely, I chat with Haley, a marketing and digital strategist based in Bentonville, Arkansas, who happened to lose her job at the very beginning of the economic slowdown due to COVID-19. However, just two months later, and with a lot of hard work, ingenuity, and networking, Haley found another job and begins work with her new company.

Haley joins Talk Bravely for today’s mini-episode to talk about her experience being let go, strategies for job searching during a hyper-competitive job market, and how she used innovative marketing techniques of her own to help set herself apart from other applicants. 

 

What we’re talking about:

• Being on contract instead of being a full-time employee pre-Covid.  And then signs that her position would possibly be eliminated starting as early as February.
• How Haley was notified that her position was eliminated, given that she was based in a virtual office many states away from her leadership team.
• Being a remote worker can sometimes lead to missed signals about how a company is dealing with situations like Covid. Haley’s consistency at asking questions and learning as much as she could allowed her to be prepared for upcoming decisions impacting her role.
• How Haley stayed in a positive headspace after being let go, BECAUSE she was prepared and saw the signs. She shed a few tears, and then got to work.
• The first move after being let go was to tell people. Though it may be hard on our ego, posting to LinkedIn and Facebook to start networking was critical in her ability to start her job search quickly.
• LInkedIn is a powerful tool. It’s a search engine for recruiters, but also for the broader world. And just like any social media platform, it’s helpful to amplify others when on there. Use the like buttons, and re-share when you see contacts searching for new work or clients.
• If hiring a resume writer is in your budget, consider hiring one to help re-do your resume. A professional (Haley paid $250) writer can tailor your resume to your field and also help get through the electronic sifting process many companies use.
• Haley notes that working through her resume also gave her confidence.
• Creating a video resume really amped up Haley’s ability to be noticed.
• Haley got EXTREMELY clear on her budget. She took stock of all income and potential sources of support including unemployment and freelancing in order to get through the months of job searching.
• Through this process, Haley’s definition of success has shifted. The power of remote working, and spending time reflecting on what she wants out of this next season of life, has allowed her to reimagine what working and living means to her. 

Haley’s Steps to Job Searching

1. Speak Out - Let people know. Post on social media that you are now available.
2. Get Positive - Reflect on the direction of your career and dig deep on what will bring you most joy in work. Seek out confidence through personal reflection and conversations with others.
3. Budget - Get clear on your budget. Make adjustments immediately once you assess your situation.
4. Get Help - Consider hiring a resume writer if your budget allows for it or other professional support like interview coaching
5. Innovate - Create a video resume. Take inventory of your skills and determine if freelancing is a possibility

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