What do you do if you need to showcase your worth to employers post-layoff?

Reflect on your lessons learned. A recruiter will want to hear how each experience contributed to your learning and growth of your career,

Take the time to reflect deeply on your skills, experiences, and career goals in the wake of a layoff. Assess your strengths, accomplishments, and areas for growth. Identify the unique value you bring to employers and the contributions you've made in previous roles. This introspection will serve as a foundation for confidently presenting your worth to prospective employers.

Creating a digital resume is one of the best ways to showcase your past success, potential value, and worth to employers post-layoff. A digital resume will reflect your ability to remain relevant, forward-thinking, and innovative. A digital resume can include chronological, functional, and targeted resume attributes without several "pages" of information. Collapsible content and links can provide work samples, links to professional organizations, a professional blog, LinkedIn, and other social media profiles, as well as a downloadable resume to share. A digital resume can showcase your attributes, value, and worth as you reenter the workforce after a layoff.

Revamp your resume to highlight your most relevant skills, experiences, and achievements. Tailor your resume to each job opportunity, emphasizing the qualifications and accomplishments that align with the role. Use quantifiable metrics and concrete examples to showcase your impact in previous positions. A polished and targeted resume will grab the attention of employers and demonstrate your value proposition effectively.

Update your resume but more importantly, update your LinkedIn profile. Is your headshot current and professional? Is your summary short, sharp, and going to attract the right opportunities? Is your profile up to date with a helpful short description?

Reflect on who you worked with in your last role, in every department and send a personalized note to ask for a LinkedIn connection. The power of the network is so strong - you never know where a great role may come from but there is a fantastic shot it will be from someone you know.

Harness the power of networking to expand your professional connections and uncover new opportunities. Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, industry peers, and professional contacts to inform them of your job search and inquire about potential leads. Attend networking events, industry conferences, and virtual meetups to build relationships and stay informed about job openings. Networking can open doors to hidden job opportunities and help you showcase your worth to a broader audience.

Prepare thoroughly for job interviews by practicing your responses to common interview questions and refining your communication skills. Showcase your worth by confidently articulating your experiences, skills, and accomplishments during interviews. Be ready to discuss your layoff experience openly and highlight the lessons learned and growth achieved as a result. Practice active listening, ask thoughtful questions, and demonstrate enthusiasm for the role and company. Effective interview skills will leave a positive impression on employers and reinforce your value as a candidate.

If I could only prepare in 2 ways for an interview I would (1) reflect on my stories - stories of success, stories of failure, stories of navigating conflict, stories of navigating influence, etc. I would also (2) prepare a professional and emotion-free reply to address the layoff. No recruiter or hiring manager will be impressed by negativity, but they will be impressed by neutral professionalism or even an upbeat attitude about the layoff.

Follow groups that are relevant to your field and consider posting thought leadership of your own! If its new to you, consider posting an article you found compelling and add your own 3-4 bullets on what you learned from it.