This podcast is a summary of tips I offer in my free checklist, "Do This Now."
https://www.mellermarketing.com/dothisnow

This is a checklist for good people who have been downsized, let go, laid off, “restructured out of a role,” or any other fancy corporate buzzwords which means your company terminated your employment for cost-cutting reasons, and you're not sure what to do now.

Compiled by Brenda Meller with input by career strategy experts and VIP job seekers. This list is meant to act as a resource and offer general guidelines based on our experience. Consult an attorney for legal advice.

Here are the key points from the podcast about career transition:

Legal Considerations:

• Review Legal Documents: Don't sign anything without legal review, especially separation agreements or severance contracts.
• Don't Feel Pressured: Employers must give you time to review documents.
• Avoid a Letter of Resignation: If you're being let go, don't give your employer a letter of resignation as it might impact unemployment benefits.

Benefits and Resources:

• Negotiate Benefits: Try to negotiate severance package benefits, such as extended health insurance.
• Check HR Manual: Review your HR / employee manual for additional benefits.
• File for Unemployment: File for unemployment benefits as soon as possible.
• Know Your Worth: Research market rates for your skills and experience.
• Ask to Buy Your Laptop and/or work-issued cellphone: especially if you don't have these at home.
• Save Important Information: Before leaving your job, save important documents, contact information, and work samples.
• Get Clarification on References: Ask your former employer if they're willing to provide a reference.
• Use Available Resources: Utilize local libraries, unemployment offices, and online resources.

Job Search Strategies:

• Utilize Resources: Take advantage of outplacement services and other resources offered by your former employer.
• Leverage LinkedIn: Update your profile, change your primary email, and network with industry professionals.
• Network Effectively: Attend industry events, volunteer, and connect with people in your field.
• Avoid the Black Hole: Don't spend all your time applying for jobs; focus on networking and building relationships.
• Seek Support: Join job seeker support groups and attend networking events.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of a successful career transition and land your next job.

Key Takeaways:

• Rebuild Your Confidence: LinkedIn recommendations can be a powerful tool to rebuild your self-esteem after a job loss. By seeing positive feedback from colleagues and peers, you can regain confidence in your abilities.
  
  
• Leverage Social Proof: Positive recommendations act as social proof, validating your skills and experience. This can be particularly beneficial when applying for new jobs, as potential employers often rely on social proof to assess candidates.
  
  
• Strengthen Your Network: By giving recommendations to others, you're not only helping them but also strengthening your network. This can lead to future opportunities and collaborations.
  
  
• Take Control of Your Career Narrative: Actively seeking and giving recommendations allows you to shape your professional identity and take control of your career narrative. By proactively building your online reputation, you can position yourself as a valuable asset in the job market.
  
  
• Practical Steps to Implement:
  • Identify Supportive Contacts: Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, or clients who can provide positive feedback.
  • Draft Thoughtful Recommendations: Take the time to write sincere and specific recommendations, highlighting the individual's strengths and contributions.
  • Be Open to Receiving Feedback: Be receptive to receiving recommendations from others. This can provide valuable insights into your professional image.
  • Leverage LinkedIn's Features: Use LinkedIn's recommendation feature to easily request and provide endorsements.

Resources mentioned:

VIDEO - Wondering how to request a LinkedIn recommendation? WATCH THIS.
https://youtu.be/6US9qFqDlHk?si=1CPktdVPkYB4_6xX

Key Takeaways:

• Start Slow and Steady: Begin your job search journey by gradually increasing your LinkedIn activity. Start with a simple task: spend 15 minutes daily scrolling through your LinkedIn feed.
  
  
• Curate Your Feed: As you scroll, pay attention to the content. Like posts that resonate with you, whether it's due to shared values, industry insights, or personal connections. Simultaneously, unfollow accounts that aren't relevant to your career goals. This helps refine your feed and expose you to more targeted content.
  
  
• Train the Algorithm: By liking posts, you're essentially training LinkedIn's algorithm to understand your interests. This subtle action will lead to a more personalized feed, filled with content that aligns with your career aspirations.
  
  
• Build Subtle Visibility: While you're engaging with content, you're also increasing your visibility on the platform. Even a simple like can draw attention to your profile. This low-effort, high-impact strategy can help you connect with potential employers and industry professionals.
  
  
• Prioritize Networking: Networking is a powerful tool, especially for experienced professionals. LinkedIn offers a platform to build and nurture relationships. By actively engaging with others, you can increase your chances of landing your next job opportunity.

Key Takeaways:

• Personal Experience: I share my own experience of career transition and the emotional rollercoaster associated with it.
  
  
• LinkedIn Focus: This podcast will focus on LinkedIn strategies to help job seekers, particularly those over the age of 40+, 50+, and 60+. By the way, I turned 50 in September.
  
  
• Experience-Rich Mindset: I encourage listeners to embrace their experience as a valuable asset, rather than a liability.
  
  
• Positive Positioning: The importance of positive self-presentation and avoiding negative labels like "mature worker."
  
  
• Community Support: I emphasize the power of community and offer support to job seekers.
  
  
• Goal-Oriented Approach: My goal is to help listeners find jobs and ultimately stop needing this podcast's advice.
  
  

Resources mentioned:

Friday VIP Job Seeker Office Hours
I'd like to invite you to join me on an upcoming Friday VIP job seekers office hours zoom session. It's the first Friday every month.

https://www.mellermarketing.com/FridayVIP (it's free!). Feel free to spread the word to others who are in career transition, at any job title level and in any industry.

You can watch the playback of our latest call, along with previous calls, on this YouTube playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4um17Ji5FVRyGTUrge3XRPJ8H1r06ac7