The 3 Biggest Mistakes Job Seekers Make After Downsizing

The number of layoffs remains historically low in the labor market, but shocks to tech and finance jobs have intensified over the year. With companies including Twitter, Stripe, Salesforce and Meta announcing layoffs within days and CEOs saying they’re bracing for a recession by cutting headcount, the market could get a little tighter for some searchers work that are reinstated after dismissal.

Albert Ko, 37, knows a thing or two about preparing for the worst: He’s been through five rounds of layoffs in his 15-year career in engineering and sales, including two instances where he lost his job. He is now a director at AngelList Talent, a career site for job startups, and volunteers his time to help review resumes, offer advice, and connect people to new jobs.

He consistently notices that sudden job seekers tend to make three big mistakes when they hit the market. Here’s what you should avoid:

As you update your LinkedIn status or polish your resume, you may feel obligated to list every task you’ve perfected or every skill you’ve acquired. From a hiring perspective, that’s a mistake, says Ko: “You don’t want to be good at everything. Be very good at several things.”

A resume or resume listing everything you’ve ever done doesn’t give the reader a good idea of ​​your unique experience, Ko says. “People will say how good they are at sales, marketing and operations, and in the back of my mind I’m like, ‘You can’t be good at all three, and I don’t need you to be good at all three.'”

So while you’re posting about your layoff on social media and putting out a call for prospects, take a moment to think about exactly what you’re uniquely suited to do and what you want to do next, based on a combination of your interests, talents and what the labor market requires.

When you start applying for jobs, make sure your resume and cover letter are tailored to each company. Be specific about how your skills fit into what the organization needs: “Highlight your superpower,” says Ko. “Nobody needs a generalist. They need someone who’s really good at what they’re trying to solve.”

And whenever possible, be sure to credit your work and how you’ve made money or saved time for the business.

Ko says it’s great to see people posting about their layoffs on LinkedIn because it removes the stigma around asking for help. He has found that former colleagues, recruiters and hiring managers generally respond positively to these posts and want to lend their support.

But another big mistake to avoid is asking for help but not being clear about what you’re looking for in your next job or company, Ko says.

This could mean calling out that you can do everything as mentioned above, or you could be vague about what job title or level you’re looking for.

“If you’re too general about the type, role or company you want to work for, there’s nowhere to start, and I’m potentially too busy helping too many people at the same time,” Ko says.

To help your network help you, be specific: “Tell me what type of companies you want to work for, or take the extra step of looking at managers or teams at those companies and letting me know. Then I can facilitate the presentation that way,” says Ko. “Telling me you’re looking for any job in operations or marketing doesn’t help me.”

Even if you don’t have a ready-made list of dream employers, you probably know what type of work environment you’re looking for: the size of the company, the industry, what kinds of products or services you like in a building, and so on.

In addition to crowdsourcing on LinkedIn, Ko recommends using other personal networks for potential clients: a high school or college alumni list, Facebook community groups, parenting circles, a sports league, organizations you volunteer for, and other social groups. in which you are a member.

With that said, going through a layoff is as emotionally challenging as it is financially. So if you start asking other people for help in your search, make sure you have the time and mental energy to follow the directions that people give you.

“You don’t get too many chances to put yourself out there and ask for a referral,” Ko says.

He says it’s also a big mistake to chase every single referral when you know it’s something you’re not interested in. “Recruiters and referrals know when you’re not serious about something,” he says. “If they’re throwing their necks out there for you and you’re not sure [about an opportunity]that’s going to be a problem.”

Not only are you wasting your time and the hiring manager’s time, “you’re going to burn out your connections trying to help you,” Ko adds.

Instead, thank your connection for their support and reiterate why this opportunity is not the best fit. Stay focused on what you really want and only take interviews that are a good fit.

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