Finding a job in a down market

After several months of discovery, patience, resilience, self-exploration, and reconnection, I finally landed an incredible opportunity that I'm truly excited about. But it was not easy, especially in this market. After a sudden and unexpected layoff, I began to fully reassess my career path amidst a challenging economic climate. At the same time, I launched a job search in an attempt to selectively find the right company with the right role that checked all the boxes and aligned with my passion and aspirations. Despite this journey being arduous, I've gained some invaluable takeaways that I believe will be helpful if you're contemplating a new opportunity or currently seeking your next play.

1. Connect with great people. The path we travel is never an easy one, personally and professionally, and we cannot navigate it alone. Reach out to the people in your community and professional network starting with the ones that you know best. These are the ones best ready to support you during this challenging time. Instead of a one to many type of outreach (ie. posting to LinkedIn about your job search), I opted for a more personalized one to one approach. The people I spoke with either had knowledge of active opportunities or direct introduction paths to people working at companies of interest. Beyond that, they provided me with a much-needed reminder of our relationship, our accomplishments and the positive experiences we shared. This not only helped me focus on next steps, but filled me with the hope and encouragement necessary to guide me through the ups and downs of this arduous job search. This is a foundational step and will help you stay connected to what's happening out there, as these are the people that will think of you the next time something interesting appears in the future!?
2. Reflect on your professional experience. After you take the time to reconnect, reflect on your favorite and most meaningful professional accomplishments to date. Recall some of your most memorable projects and the people you worked with. Write those details down. Take note of the strengths and skills you developed and look closely at the job descriptions because when it comes time to interview, these are the specific things they will ask you about. "Tell me about a time where you had to manage through a difficult relationship with a co-worker." "Explain how you've worked through ambiguity to move a project forward. What did you learn as a result?" Utilize the STAR Framework to compile and structure a list of relevant examples and share these stories during interviews. If you find it challenging to recall relevant situations and respond to such inquiries, it may indicate that the specific position is not the best match for you.
3. Patience, this process could go the distance. Give yourself of up to a year to find the perfect opportunity. If that's not financially feasible, then consider settling for taking a short-term paying job for now. However, make it a priority to invest the time in the two items above while you're employed to ensure you're setting yourself up for the right role for you. My financial advisor always tells me to ensure I have enough financial stability to survive for 12 months without a job. Thankfully I took the advice and with the extra savings we were able to weather the storm. If you can stash the money away and adjust your lifestyle to make this possible, it will give you the freedom to conduct a thorough research, to take your time and even enjoy a well-deserved break in between. It's crucial to have the ability to handle job loss without losing your sanity or your home.
4. Embrace the gift of time. Now that you've made peace with the lengthy nature of this process, reflected on your career achievements to date and made the necessary connections, it's time to embrace the power of the situation you are in. It's important to remember that this may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so make the most of it. Take this time off to reconnect with what you love to do and go do it. Whether it's spending quality time with your family, exploring hobbies, volunteering in your community, or focusing on your fitness, this is the perfect moment to prioritize your passions. Use this time to recharge, rejuvenate, and rediscover yourself. The possibilities are endless, so seize the moment and make it count, you may never have an opportunity like this in the future. This will put you in a positive state of mind and set you up for success as you deal with the ups and downs of this transformational journey.
5. Go all in! You're going for a role because it's a paying job, but for some reason you're not 100% convinced it's the right one for you. If you are harboring uncertainties, they will inevitably surface during your candidacy, not only affecting your confidence but also potentially jeopardizing your chances with an interviewer. Trying to deceive your own mind in the moment is a futile endeavor because it possesses more intelligence than we give it credit for. Doubts have a way of working against you in any job application process and creeping into the conversation at exactly the wrong time. Find the opportunities that feel right, let go of any hesitation and then tell yourself "This is the one for me!" and go after it with everything you got.?

During a time intensive job search in a tough job market while also being selective about finding the right company (culture, leadership, solution), it's not easy to find the right role that aligns with your requirements and aspirations. However, it is during these difficult times that we have the opportunity to truly reflect on our goals, values, and passions. By taking the time to revitalize, reassess and realign our career path, we can set ourselves up for success in the long run.