The Work & Worth Podcast with Cristin Downs

After weeks of forced resignations, there has now been a significant federal government reduction in force. This is happening to some of my own friends, former clients, and current clients so I wanted to put together something for you as you're working through this.

First and most importantly, I'm so sorry this is happening to you. It's awful, and it doesn't matter if you chose to take the package or if you were forced out. Either way, this wasn’t your choice. When your work is disrupted in this way, it's very disconcerting, affecting your family, your livelihood, and your health insurance. I'm so very sorry, and you get to feel however you want to feel about it.

Although there's nothing comparable to what you're currently experiencing, I too was laid off, having no choice and experienced chaos and so much fear because I was the sole provider for my family, and we were losing our income as well as our insurance. It was a very, very difficult time. I also have helped hundreds of people, including career changers and folks that have been laid off. I've even worked with people who pivoted into or out of the federal government. Additionally, because the federal government is contracting, it's very likely that you're going to have to make a career pivot yourself, because there will be fewer positions available and more people going for them. Because that’s my area of expertise, I wanted to give you some tips to consider as you decide “What next?”

The three things I want you to be thinking about are pivoting, coming from an unexpected job loss, and then translating your experience. Let’s dive in.

Pivoting from your federal career

If you're pivoting, there are three ways that you could possibly think about it. One is the idea that you're changing your industry. The other is that you're transferring your job function. And then third, it's isolating your individual job duties down to a single function.

The first one is the simplest, I think, the idea of changing your industry. You keep the same role type; you're just doing it in a new place. If you were a project manager at some federal government agency, you would become a project manager in tech, for example, or any other industry. You could even go to another government entity like a state or a local government. Another example, let's say you're a program manager at an agency. You could become a program manager in a health care system. A variation on this would be if you were doing something related to health care, you could would then do your same role, but on the private side. You were e a healthcare program officer at the NIH, you could become a program officer in a healthcare system. This is the simplest sort of pivot you could do with your career.

Now, something else you can consider is transferring the job function of what you do to another space that does and needs the same thing. For example, let's say you do something with diversity, equity, and inclusion for the federal government, some sort of agency work, and then you could transfer that to something like cross cultural communication in student affairs at a university or working with international students at a university. You could do the same sort of job function at a corporation also.

Another example is let's say you do some sort of support services in an agency. You're supporting different departments, getting them things they need, and maybe you take that same job function and you become a customer success manager in a tech company or some other tech company or in healthcare or anything like that. You're taking all the function of what it means to be someone who supports others either across an agency or interagency or something like that and then you're doing that same thing but for customers.

Now let's look at our third option. The third pivot option is about isolating job function, and I thought the easiest way to show this would be if we looked at an actual job posting. This is an actual job posting from USA Jobs dot Gov, and this is a number of job duties from that posting. Work includes:

* Effective guidance for development of long-range strategic and short-range tactical plans

* Directly assist director in the management of all administrative support program functions

* Serve as a resident subject matter expert for all mandated administrative support programs

* Maintains viable organizational structure and quality programs to ensure accomplishment of the task assigned to and by director of the test wing commander

* Participates with key personnel in defining credit goals and objectives in preparing master plan for accomplishment

* Participates in planning developing and monitoring long range strategic plans relative to enhancements of the call for range complex

When I read this posting, what I see here is in this first bullet point, very much focused on strategy. That job function – strategy – could be then deployed in another role type in another industry. The next is administration. That, of course, can also be a function that is very transferable to many other types of industries. And then this fourth one, maintaining the organizational structure and quality programs, I could see that both, it could be an operations management, or it could be a program management. Of course, if I was working with this person, I would ask more questions to get a solid sense of it, but I could see how both of those would be possible within that work. And then lastly, participating in the planning, developing, and monitoring of long-range strategic plans, that sounds like project management to me.

You could do this also. You could look at the total job function that you do across your role, and then see what is that closest role type, and then isolate down to whatever that is for your career pivot.

Unexpected job loss

Now, the next consideration I really want you to think about when your work ends unexpectedly and also in what is a traumatic way – sometimes you want to forget it.

And the thing is you will forget it; partially because you want to and partially because of time and you're not doing it anymore It will help your job search tremendously If you do actually remember, and so let's talk about how you can do that.

First, you can start by reviewing your life. You can review your:

* social media

* calendar

* messages

* DM’s

* emails

* personal notes

* cell phone photos

* Voxer / Signal / audio notes

Now what is this going to help you do? It’s going to help orient yourself in space and time.

Next, who do you talk to about your life? You can talk to these people directly. You can talk to your family members, your partner, your friends. You can also talk to former co-workers. What was I working on? What was I talking about? This work is what you’re going to want to be highlighting on your resume. The specifics, the details, this is what is going to make your resume pop. These details are what make your interview stories land.

Another exercise that works for a lot of folks that I have worked with when they can't remember their work any more, is to think of a moment in time, typically it's a moment that you consider the start of something, and work your way forward in time. Root yourself in that routine. Let’s say you consider the start of some facet of your work to be in the Fall. Picture yourself in August or September. What’s the kickoff? And what happens next? This will help you remember.

Maybe it didn’t start at the beginning of a season, maybe it started in a certain month – maybe January, maybe April. Maybe it’s the start of a certain project. Maybe it’s not a season or a month but when a type of thing happened. Start at what you consider the beginning and work your way through it.

Now that we have these different ways for you to access the work, what next? Ideally you brainstorm:

* I did what?

* For whom?

* For what purpose?

* What was the result?

If you achieved the desired result, all the better! Even knowing what you did is useful to you though. Jotting down every detail you remember. These notes will be what you build your resume from. And right now, this current moment, is the time you are most likely to remember what you did.

Now how can we collect this brainstorm? There are a few different ways, contigent on your preference and best ways to work. You could write it down, either stream of consciousness or write a list. You could create a mind map visual. You could also talk it out. You could record yourself, and then you could pull a transcript from the audio. I do this myself sometimes, record myself talking to myself (my neighbors enjoy it quite a bit!), and then I review the transcript. Lastly, some people work best when prompted. You could hop on a Zoom call with someone else and record the meeting. That person could be someone who knows nothing about you and is good at asking questions, or it could even be a former colleague and you are helping each other.

Translating yourself

The final consideration I want you to keep top of mind is translating yourself and your experience. This is very difficult for most pivoters, but it’s a crucial part of your search.

There are a few common mistakes that people make related to this. First, a lot of people believe that they should present themselves as they normally would and that the person reading or the person listening, either someone reading your resume or listening to your interview, that they're going to translate you. They’ll make sense of what you’re saying. That is 100% not true.

Not only is someone not going to translate you, they likely actually can’t translate you. It’s possible that if you’re interviewing with someone who previously pivoted out of the federal government, in the same or similar area as you, will understand you. My colleague Ed Herzog calls that idiosyncratic fit, and it’s not something you can depend on. It’s much more likely the person will have no idea what you speak of.

Another common mistake that people make is that they think that it's wrong for them to talk about their work in a different way. It feels unethical, or it feels disingenuous. That is just not true. The likelihood is that you already talk about your work in different ways to different people. For example, I went to the school for theatre. Based on where you trained, you even spell “theatre” differently (theater). If you apprenticed at one theatre or went to one graduate program or trained with someone specific, you might call the exact same item, or process, or methodology a different name. You learn all the terms eventually because you all have to be able to talk to each other, and that’s not disingenuous. That’s communication!

You probably also speak differently about your work when talking to someone in the same department, versus in the same field. That’s different than you would talk to someone in a different department, versus how you might talk to a supervisor. You might even “manage up,” providing an executive summary without too many details so you can move forward what you need to. You adjust so you can get what you need. Is that unethical? Or is it communication? It makes sense to change your language based off your audience and your objective. That’s all we’re doing.

Now, the last mistake people make is they generalize everything. If I am super genetal about everything I say, then people will really understand me! What sadly actually ends up happening is people understand nothing of what you’re saying because you’ve essentially removed the details, the story, and the plot points that ground them. What you need to do instead is be specific about the part that is relevant to the pivot, and then generalize any of the parts that would either create confusion or would cause the person to consider you irrelevant.

Free resources for you

I have a number of free resources I'd like to share with you.

First, I myself was laid off. I was laid off in September of 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was very hard for me. I had a very difficult time, and I really had to work at resolving the way that I felt about the situation. I had to come up with my own way to manage it, and I have since shared that process with many clients over time. You can read that here.

I also have a general pivot resume template that I created. This covers the general job functions that cover most pivots. It is set-up Mad Libs style for you to fill in.

If your position has not yet been eliminated and you just want to start thinking about how to prep, I have a layoff prep checklist that you can go through.

And then lastly, if you are looking for more direct support, I'd be very happy to talk to you. I do a free virtual strategy session that you can start at any time of the day.

I am so sorry this is happening to you. Our hearts are with you. We are sending you all our good thoughts.

If you're like most people, you've known it's been time to ask for a raise, but just. can't. make. the. ask. Let's talk about why. (Hint – it's not you.)

Welcome to the Work and Worth podcast! In today's episode, we're diving deep into a topic that often brings a lot of anxiety and hesitation—asking for a raise. Why is it such a daunting task for so many of us, and how can you overcome the fear and do it anyway? We'll explore the societal and systemic reasons that make discussing money so uncomfortable, from workplace norms to broader cultural taboos. Plus, I'll share actionable strategies to help you prepare for this crucial conversation, including visualizing the tangible benefits a raise would bring to your life and planning your next steps if your request is denied. So, if you’ve ever felt uneasy about asking for what you truly deserve at work, this episode is for you.

In specifics I talk about:

• Societal discomfort with discussing money
• Job application process and pay transparency
• Psychological and practical barriers to asking for a raise
• Fear of change
• Strategies for asking for a raise

Timing overview:

00:00 Society's fear of us discussing our salaries.
03:25 Progress on pay transparency, but still problematic.
07:42 Financial stability challenges, seeking tangible benefits.
09:23 Consider other roles, industries for better pay.

Important links from the episode (affiliate links might be included):

• Check out my website
• Find me on Instagram (and DM me!)
• Start a free virtual strategy session
• See all the ways we can work together, including DIY options
• Join the free community

Click here to listen on more than a dozen platforms!

Ever wonder what the difference is between a career pivot and a career change? I've got you covered!

Welcome back to the Work and Worth podcast! In today's episode, we're diving deep into the critical differences between a career pivot and a career change. Ever wondered if you need to start fresh in a new field or if you can leverage your existing skills in a new industry? We'll break it all down. We'll explore real-life examples from regulated industries like nursing, where a career change is necessary, versus unregulated sectors, where a pivot could be your best move. Plus, we'll discuss how to position yourself as a strong candidate and why hiring managers should see pivoters as the hidden gems they are. Stay tuned as we redefine how you think about the next steps in your professional journey.

In specifics I talk about:

• Terminology: career change, career pivot, and career transition
• Defining each term
• Approach for and perspective on career pivots
• How people think about career changers
• Why would anyone hire a career pivoter?

Timing overview:

00:00 Transition to new career with diverse possibilities.
06:10 Unusual titles, reframing education, and personal experience.
08:07 Career pivot preferred; watch out for treatment.
10:37 Career pivot energizes organizations for innovation.

Important links from the episode (affiliate links might be included):

• Check out my website
• Find me on Instagram (and DM me!)
• Start a free virtual strategy session
• See all the ways we can work together, including DIY options
• Join the free community

Click here to listen on more than a dozen platforms!

Looking to land a new job before the end of the year? The latest episode of The Work and Worth Podcast is live! In this episode, Cristin shares essential strategies to buckle down and maximize your chances of success in a challenging job market, as we approach the last quarter of 2024.

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Work and Worth podcast! In today's episode, we'll dive deep into why now—yes, August 2024—is the perfect time to buckle down if you're looking to land a new job before the year's end. I'll share practical strategies, real-life success stories, and essential steps to help you get focused and on track. Whether you're dissatisfied with your current role, facing organizational uncertainties, or simply ready for a change, I’ve got actionable advice for you. Plus, I’ll discuss the importance of understanding your "why," organizing your job search materials, and setting realistic goals to optimize your job hunt. Stay tuned as we unpack all this and more, preparing you to navigate the challenging job market with confidence and clarity.

In specifics I talk about:

• Importance of buckling down now
• Timeline and hiring cycles
• Understanding your motivation
• Methods to clarify your “why”
• Reviewing your current role and legal documents
• Preparing your job search materials
• Setting realistic goals and schedules
• Additional job search tactics including networking and cold outreach

Timing overview:

00:00 Pandemic changes impact on year-end job hiring.
04:09 Consider motivation for job change, evaluate priorities.
07:51 Prepare work samples, secure positive feedback, update LinkedIn.
13:23 Flexible goals are more effective than strict.
14:36 Strategize job applications, prioritize self-care and networking.
18:26 End-of-year job search advice and coaching.

Important links from the episode (affiliate links might be included):

• Check out my website
• Find me on Instagram (and DM me!)
• Start a free virtual strategy session
• See all the ways we can work together, including DIY options
• Join the free community

Click here to listen on more than a dozen platforms!

The Work & Worth Podcast is back and revamped! In this short episode, I walk through what I am going to be covering, as well as ask for your feedback and input.

Hello and welcome to the inaugural episode of the revamped Work and Worth podcast! I'm your host, Cristin Downs, a possibilitarian and executive and career pivot coach. In this first episode, I'll introduce you to the core philosophy behind the show: the myriad possibilities in our work lives and how they're tied to our sense of worth. We'll explore topics like career pivots, managing layoffs, coping with toxic bosses, personal branding, and much more. Expect a mix of bite-sized insights, in-depth interviews, and real-life client stories designed to help you navigate your career with confidence. Connect with me on Instagram at @workandworthcoach, and let's embark on this journey together!

This episode is all about how client Christie left higher education for customer success, and it's a great listen for folks who are trying to discover their transferable skills, wanting to leave higher ed, or considering a move into customer success.

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Join your host Cristin Downs and today's guest Christie Nadratowski as they discuss Christie's journey from higher education to ed tech, and then into her current career in customer success. They explore the various paths into higher education, the skills needed to move from a manager role into a director role, and how Cristin's coaching helped Christie realize that her skills are valuable outside of higher education. Learn how to make the most of your transferable skills and get tips on transitioning from higher ed to industry.

In specifics we talk about:

• How Christie got started in higher education to begin with
• What drove her departure from the industry
• Both our thoughts on what drives the toxicity in higher education
• How and what we identified as Christie's transferable skills
• How coaching can help work through some of emotions one experiences related to their own self worth and work
• What working in customer success involved
• The difference between customer success manager and director roles
• Christie's tips for how to go about pivoting

Click here to listen on a dozen different platforms!

Important links:

• Christie's LinkedIn
• The Success Hacker certification Christie mentions

In this interview, Cristin speaks with Alison Tedford about the transition from 9 to 5 work to her own business and how freedom to rest led to Chronic Profit, Alison's first book.

Obsessed with productivity? In this episode, Cristin interviews coach Valerie Friedlander about how that obsession keeps us from rest.

In this interview with Sneha Jhanb, Cristin learns from Jhanb how slowing down to rest helps increase productivity and focus when you need it.

In this episode, I interview Julie Morgenlender about her anthology The Things We Don’t Say: An Anthology of Chronic Illness Truths.