The Voice of Job Seekers

Mark Anthony Dyson ★ Career Writer ★ Speaker ★ Thinker ★ Award-winning Blog & Podcast! ★ "The Job Scam Report" on Substack! ★ I hack and reimagine the modern job search!

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Talking Layoffs with The TrapRecruiter With Keirsten Greggs

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Talking Layoffs with The TrapRecruiter by Mark Anthony Dyson

 

The tables turn for this special episode as I serve as a guest on “The Trap Recruiter Show” with my friend and fall co-host, Keirsten Greggs. She asks the questions, and I answer them.

Here are a few of the highlights from our discussion:

  • We spend some time discussing the reason for this round of layoffs.
  • How carefully must job seekers navigate examining their layoff experience (good or bad) online?
  • Are layoffs a reaction to the economy and conversion to call center automation?
  • Not every company is like Meta in getting generous separation compensation/benefit packages.
  • The “survivor” effect of those not laid off but affected by the aftermath of their separated coworkers.
  • Attending conferences as a job seeker puts you in touch with recruiters, employers, and peers.

You are more than welcome to join the discussion. Here are three ways you can:

– Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822, or text your comments to the same number

– Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen and leave a message

– Send email feedback to [email protected]

Contact me on LinkedIn or Twitter for more job search tidbits, news, and advice.

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7 Lies Your Conscience or Others Told You About Being Laid Off or Fired to Ignore

Interestingly, people who cheer for the disparaging narratives make separated employees the villains or “bad employees.”

I go through Twitter or LinkedIn and put the words “layoff poor performers” in the search box, and as sure as snowstorms in Buffalo cheering on a company to lay off those who “don’t put in the work.”

For example:

Managers give competitive ratings to employees and are told (in many companies) only can be considered high performers. Some managers make layoff decisions unnecessarily complicated, and the bottom line is good employees can be “poor” performers.

When you’re laid off under the guise of poor performance, this could stain your work record if you let it. Any separation from a company categorized as “poor” is subjective and is not a death sentence these days.

I explain in the video below you can’t allow companies under any circumstances to dictate your career’s narrative. I also wrote a Payscale article to help you define and disregard the self-effacing thoughts about what people or your past projected you about an unwanted separation from a company.

Hint: It’s not the end. Not even close.

I should mention most companies don’t offer a performance rating when a potential employer of an ex-employee calls for a reference. You should ask and agree nothing should be said about performance.

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9 Ways to Keep Up Your Holiday Job Search

9 Ways to Keep Up Your Holiday Job Search

9 Ways to Keep Up Your Holiday Job Search by Mark Anthony Dyson

This season is no time to slow down your holiday job search. Employers have to fill positions and some more urgently than others. Yes, even during the week of Thanksgiving, offices were slow, but this is a time to be more personable and flexible while your competition is on vacation.

For those of you who have been unemployed for some time and want to gain traction to do more than survive, consider my suggestions below:

 

Here are a few suggestions to give your job search a boost:

1. Bypass the fence by building familiarity.

You can extend your reach when you’re kind to everyone over the phone (yes, the phone). The know, like, and trust factor is even more achievable during the holiday job search. People are looking for ways to be kinder.

2. Friend former employer/coworker relationships.

If you left on excellent terms with your old company, reconnecting with former coworkers is advantageous for two reasons, 1) They will alert you to re-hiring opportunities or contract work, or 2) they Refer your peers and colleagues to other companies.

3. Spread your marketing to a wider net.

Social media is quieter during your holiday job search (especially after this past election cycle). The time to start sharing content, initiate conversations, and join group discussions is now.

Listen to 10 Job Search Tools We’re Grateful for This Holiday Season

4. Start a personal blog for branding now.

While it’s slow, a blog is easier to start and dedicate yourself to if you want to make moves in a few months. Not only to share on social media but also to ensure Google can show your relevance and existence by listing via search. 

5. Crash Christmas celebrations.

Some of your friends, neighbors, and family can invite an extra person to their company parties. Drinking eggnog with new people can expand your network. Remember, you’re just adding to your network, not asking for referrals unless someone likes you enough. Even then, setting up a coffee meeting or phone call away from the party ensures the authenticity and sincerity of wanting to refer you.

6. Upgrade your thinking of “thank you” cards.

Gratitude is not exclusive to interviewers and hiring managers. If you want to stand out, five-dollar gift cards from Starbucks and similar shops are also valuable to the secretaries. Even if it’s a little holiday card (and not just an email) is thoughtful and memorable during your holiday job search. Sending them postal now is the best, but eGifts are easier, cheaper, and quicker to send. 

Read: Your Spouse Can Help With The Holiday Job Search

7. Call in on the company’s #800.

Yep, companies still have 800 numbers! The holidays a good time for research and potentially finding the names of key people. Want to send a pain letter or a resume to a particular person? What it’s like to work for the company? Unless the company is selling or servicing holiday products, it’s slow. The representatives have to chat, trust me.

8. Add volunteer value during vacation.

Some companies volunteer at charity organizations during the holiday season. Your favorite company probably has a press release of where they are handing out toys. I bet you can join them, too, to gather intel about the business, get to know at least one or two employees and be charitable.

9. Hurry and get with a Temp agency.

Some business slows down while others speed up and look to temp agencies to save them. There are too many to name, and I guarantee they will be more than glad to help place you.