Conquering My COVID-19 Lay Off

As I’ve expressed in a few journal entries, my previous job as Senior Graphic Designer for a fast growing restaurant group was a casualty of COVID-19. Since that day in early April when I was laid off, I’ve been navigating a job market on life support with more competition than usual. In hopes of helping someone in my shoes, I’m sharing how I arrived to this present moment. This morning I started a new role as Senior Designer for a small agency founded in DC. Here’s how I did it:

1. Updated Digital Presence

Within days of being laid off, I began to update my personal brand with the most up to date information about my career path, wherever that information already existed. This included making sure my portfolio showed the best of my actual work product and that I had a consistent voice across platforms and throughout my CV.

I chipped away at this work until it was in a good position to begin job searching in earnest. Along the way, I continued to make updates and even sought out feedback from my network for a second and third look. Understanding the power of my digital footprint made this first step crucial as I went about my search.

2. LinkedIn Premium Free Trial + #OpenToWork

There are so many platforms out there that are great for leads. LinkedIn happens to be the one that I favor most. During my job search, I leveraged a free trial of their premium features and also discounted offers that followed once my trial was up. The feature I love most from LinkedIn’s premium offer was the ability to send InMail’s directly to recruiters or potential bosses/team members after submitting applications. Often these convos pushed my resume to the top of the list and got me a speedier than usual interaction with companies/roles I was pursuing.

In response to the pandemic and unfortunate wave of job loss, LinkedIn also implemented a new featured called #OpenToWork in late June. This new function provided a visual way for job seekers to share that they are open to work. It also made you more discoverable by recruiters or your entire LinkedIn network depending on your preferences. It launched with a photo frame you could apply to your profile image allowing for your current status to be seen at a glance.

After adding this feature to my profile with a genuine post about my experience so far, I received a wave of support from my network. This was followed by a slew of introductions that created opportunities for informational interviews and freelance opportunities. You should absolutely check it out and see how it can boost your efforts.

3. Staffing Agencies

Although my new role came through in other ways, it’s important for me to mention the role staffing agencies can play in assisting you on your search. For creatives specifically, once my portfolio and CV were updated to my standards, I immediately created and/or updated my profiles with Creative Circle and The Creative Group. Note that these were my creative talent agencies of choice but there are many others that can be utilized in this way. These platforms provide regular leads and a recruiter versed in your specific interests. I hope it goes without saying that during a time as stressful as this, having someone help you with your search is priceless.

4. Job Boards on Slack

Many organizations are using Slack these days to communicate and be of assistance to its members. I was already a member of the Ladies Get Paid workspace, my local AIGA chapter’s Diversity & Inclusion workspace and more. The job boards within these spaces are regularly updated, often by recruiters and current employees on the teams that are hiring. While I found them to be hard to keep up with at times, especially once the pandemic really went into full swing, they are a great way to get your foot far in the door.

5. Leveraging My Network

I always understood the power of connections and growing your network. As a young girl in the USVI, born of an entrepreneurial family, it was clear to me how important “who you know” can be to any goal you may be pursuing. Still, nothing could prepare me for how instrumental my network would be in this trying time.

After being laid off, I spoke to everyone in my creative circle about what happened and what I hoped my next steps to be. I sent personalized messages on Slack, via Text and LinkedIn depending on the relationship. I learned that general awareness of what happened was enough to have people open doors for me, to make introductions, to offer themselves up as references and more. I know without a doubt, these efforts got me closer to being hired than any of the steps above. On the flip side of that, every connection made was strengthened because of that work and because every opportunity met me working, prepared and able to engage.

If nothing else I said in this entry sticks with you, please remember how crucial growing and engaging your network is for the good and bad in your career. Additionally, be what you want from your network and return the favor whenever possible.

6. Knowing My Worth

There’s a certain panic and desperation that comes with having your job taken from you. The removal of that false sense of security does a number on you if you let it. Knowing I needed to find a new source of income made me feel anxious and filled me with doubt at times. Through all of those feelings, I still worked hard to affirm my worth to myself. Yes I needed a new job or more freelance but it did not mean I should accept any and everything that came my way. It didn’t mean every opportunity was the right one. Being fully aware of that made saying no a bit more comfortable for me when all signs said I should be grateful for whatever was offered.

Please know that you are not the circumstances of your lay off or any present time in your career. Know that you are inherently valuable just as you are and that you’re worthy of the next best thing to come your way. I am proof of that and you are too, count on it!