How I Maintained My Sanity During My Job Reduction and Job Search

We are officially three months into 2023 and massive layoffs are continuing. I don't think a week has gone by where a massive layoff hasn't been announced.

Almost 3 years ago, on what was supposed to be my annual performance review, I was told that my full-time position as an HR Department of One was being reduced to a part time non benefits eligible role.?A week later my husband lost his full-time job.?Our family of four now had no benefits and how to figure out how to survive on a quarter of our income until one, if not both of us found full time employment in a global pandemic. We experienced all of the emotions, but fear and uncertainty were probably the ones that were felt the most.?

As I pulled myself together and started applying to any and every HR job that was posted, I realized the following about the reduction in my role:

• This was not a reflection of who I was as a person.?My job title and employer did not define me.?
• This was not a reflection of my level of expertise or the value I add to any role, team or company.

Now this realization didn't happen immediately or overnight.?It came after hearing the desperation in my voice during phone interviews.?It came applying to jobs entry level HR jobs for the sole purpose of "I know I can do it and I need a job".?It came after not hearing back from job applications and phone screens.?All of this exhausting work wasn't translating into a job offer.?It got to the point where I eventually accepted a part time Key Holder position at a retail store and eventually another part time HR job at my local county.?YOUR GIRL WAS TIRED.?Something had to change.?

So I took time to:

• Grieve, be angry, be sad - feel all of the emotions.
• Realized the place that let me go was TOXIC as hell and this was a blessing.?
• Reflect on my accomplishments, the impact that I had not only to the employer who decided to reduce my role, but to all of my previous employers, teams and clients.?This helped nurture my bruised confidence that was at an all time low.?
• Reflect on what I really wanted in my next opportunity - the type of company, the culture of that company, the type of work I wanted to do, location (remote, hybrid, in office).?Doing this helped me be strategic in my job search as I applied to roles that aligned with this vision.?
• Ask for help.?I reached out to mentors, former employers, colleagues and asked for introductions, recommendations, time to vent, all the things. I leaned into my professional village.
• Become selective and intentional in the roles that I applied to.?I researched the companies from the perspective of how I could add value and how the opportunity would add to my experience and deepen my HR expertise.?

While I executed my new job search strategy I

• I took on a couple of positions including a retail job as a Key Holder and a part time HR job to fill in the gap. Let's be honest, though a job search is a full-time gig, it pays zero dollars. Bills had to be paid and mouths needed to be fed.
• I clapped loudly for everyone on my timeline who started new roles. I genuinely was happy for them and knew that with each passing day, my Offer Accepted was right around the corner. I even envisioned making my own announcement and thanking everyone for their well wishes.

After four months of interviewing and a WHOLE LOT of faith I landed a full time HR role that aligned with my career goals, where I was able to add immediate value and felt appreciated.?I deepened my expertise and professional confidence, created programs and executed process improvements.?I found an environment where I thrived and soared.??

And so will you. You're Offer Accepted is on its way.