Career Express’ Post

🚀 Amidst the flood of layoff news on LinkedIn and YouTube, here's my take: In times of uncertainty, your skills become your armor, and there's no recession for the truly skilled and confident! 🛡️ 💼 Here are my mantras: Focus on Your Skills: Hone your expertise, dive into your passion, and watch the right opportunities unfold. Resilience is Your Superpower: Challenges are part of every journey. Find support, especially from the person who once sat in your chair. Control the Controllables: External factors shouldn't dictate your path. Focus on what you can control; let go of what you can't. Remember: There's no recession for skilled minds. 🌐💻 In a tech-driven world, your expertise is your passport to endless possibilities. Keep doing great work, stay resilient, and trust the process! 💙✨ Tag a fellow techie who needs this reminder. Together, we rise! 🚀🔗 If you seek support in getting Job, reach out to Career Express us via email at [email protected] or https://lnkd.in/evgTWQcT and let us help you prepare for success. 🚀 #TechResilience #CareerJourney #SkillUp #TechOptimism #StayMotivated 🌟💬

This week my dad celebrated his 73rd birthday! My father dedicated 46 years to the railroad industry, embodying the era of lifelong loyalty to a single employer. Wow, have times changed. It's estimated that individuals will change careers 5-7 times. More than half of all working-age people are actively looking for a job change. The rapidly changing landscape means that we have to continuously adapt, grow, and prepare for what's next. As a Leadership Coach, I've witnessed too many professionals manage their careers reactively (how many times have we seen the "Unfortunately, I was part of the mass layoffs" post....and now I am going to build a personal brand, write a resume and start to network for the first time in years) rather than adopting a proactive, ownership mindset. Here are key moves to boost your career game and grow: 🔷 Be Accountable: Your career development is your responsibility. While great leaders develop others, the onus is on you to develop your skills and readiness for future opportunities or unexpected changes. This could mean engaging in professional development, seeking mentorship, or joining industry groups. At the end of the day: Your Career = Your Responsibility. 🔷 Plan Ahead The reality of job loss or transition looms large, with the average person changing roles every 3.8-4.8 years. To stay ahead, maintain a comprehensive career portfolio, including resumes, job descriptions, achievements, and a "Living Resume" – a personal career legacy document that you update regularly. I highly recommend saving your annual reviews - they often have KPI's and other metrics you can use when you build out your resume. 🔷 Build Relationships The power of networking cannot be overstated. Most opportunities arise through connections and studies show "weak" connections (like acquaintances) are just as valuable! Prioritize building relationships within your industry and leverage platforms like #LinkedIn to broaden your network. The best time to build your network is before you need it!! Being proactive and taking ownership of your career development isn't just a strategic move; in today's world, it's essential. You may not always keep your job title, but you can always take your intellectual property, knowledge and skills with you wherever you go. #careergrowth #success #firstgentips P.S. Yes, that's me in a mullet cut. 😂 It was another era.

🔍✨ Reflecting on a challenging experience: Google cut 13-year career short with a 3 am email, leaving individual and thousands stranded. The aftermath? A self-offboarding site, EAP access, and a less-than-helpful career transition service. But what we truly needed was compassion and human connection. A simple acknowledgment of our dedication and support during the company's success would have meant the world. Companies, take note: job loss is a major life shock. It deserves understanding and personalized support. Let's strive for conscious business practices that avoid layoffs or, at the very least, handle them with empathy. It's disheartening to see leaders "taking full responsibility" while cashing in millions. That's why we have committed to supporting those impacted by inhumane practices through coaching and advocacy with the help of counseling. If you've been through a similar journey, know this: it gets better. You're not alone, and support is available. Reach out if you need to talk—I'm here for you. If you seek support in getting Job, reach out to Career Express us via email at [email protected] or https://lnkd.in/epUmDzQu and let us help you prepare for success. 🚀 💙 #Layoffs #TechLayoffs #ChangingWork #HumanCenteredBusiness #SupportingEachOther 🌟

I use my “SDR to VP in 7 years” career arc to build credibility. Credibility helps more people learn from what I’ve learned, and I’m confident my learnings will benefit others. Candidly, it makes me uncomfortable. A big part of my career success was landing at a growing company at the right time. And that was pure luck. I'm not even sure why I accepted the job - I didn't want to do sales, and it paid way less than other opportunities. There are hundreds (thousands?) of tech companies I could have joined in 2014. I could have worked just as hard and had an extremely different experience. My story would look really different if my employer needed to do a layoff in 2014-2016. My story would look really different if they didn’t grow from ~200 employees to ~6,000. I’m proud that I maximized my circumstances. I was fortunate to land in a great environment and took advantage. However, many of you won’t land in the right environment right away. Through no fault of your own, you may not have the role/title you were hoping to have at this stage in your career. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else’s journey. Just maximize based on your circumstances, and try to create better circumstances where possible.

"Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life." I heard this quote the other day, and it resonated with me.  I'm unsure why it struck me so hard, but it did. But here is my take on it for #jobseekers. In the whirlwind of job seeking or the sting of being laid off, it's easy to forget that our journey isn't just about the destination (aka the 'dream job') but also about the path we tread. Every interview, every rejection, and yes, even those nerve-wracking layoffs are part of this intricate tapestry we call our career. As someone who's navigated these waters and now helps others do the same, I see each of these moments as crucial learning experiences. They're opportunities to reassess, grow, and realign with what truly matters - our values, capabilities, and impact. To those in the thick of job hunting or reeling from a layoff, this moment is not a setback. It's a set-up for something greater. It's a chance to advocate for workplaces that value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) and to challenge leaders to do better. Remember, every role you apply for, every interview you attend, and every setback you encounter is shaping you into a more resilient, insightful professional. Your job title or employment status does not define your worth but the strength and perspective you bring. So, take a breath. Reflect. What can this moment teach you? How can it propel you towards a future where you're not just employed but genuinely valued for who you are? #DoBetterPeople - because every moment, good or bad, is a step towards creating the career and life we deserve. #lifelessons #fridaymotivation

Career Setbacks, title dilutions, don’t worry It’s many layoffs now, even in the middle of one's career, setbacks echo a similar narrative of resilience. Studies reveal that professionals facing challenges in their mid-career years have a 70% chance of a successful comeback. Diversifying experiences during this phase enhances adaptability and fosters a strategic mindset, making individuals more likely to thrive. History is filled with inspiring stories of people with set backs that built new experience on a side tour that made them come back stronger than ever. So, whether early or mid-career, embracing change and varied roles not only defines character but significantly amplifies the potential for a brighter professional future. #CareerResurgence #ProfessionalAdaptability

Exploring the reasons behind short job tenures: it's not always about "job-hopping." Consider these factors: 1️⃣ Layoffs 2️⃣ Caring for a loved one 3️⃣ Unexpected life changes 4️⃣ Navigating toxic work environments (not by choice) Let's break the assumption cycle and foster understanding. Let's embrace compassion and actively listen to diverse career stories. #CareerInsights #CompassionateHiring #LinkedInThoughts

I use my career arc to build credibility. Credibility helps more people learn from what I’ve learned, and I’m confident my learnings will benefit others. Candidly, it makes me uncomfortable. A big part of my career success was landing at a growing company at the right time. And that was pure luck. I'm not even sure why I accepted the job - I didn't want to do sales, and it paid way less than other opportunities. There are hundreds (thousands?) of tech companies I could have joined in 2014. I could have worked just as hard and had an extremely different experience. My story would look really different if my employer needed to do a layoff in 2014-2016. My story would look really different if they didn’t grow from ~200 employees to ~6,000. I’m proud that I maximized my circumstances. I was fortunate to land in a great environment and took advantage. However, many of you won’t land in the right environment right away. Through no fault of your own, you may not have the role/title you were hoping to have at this stage in your career. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else’s journey. Just maximize based on your circumstances, and try to create better circumstances where possible.

After conducting a recent poll about what to share, it turns out that 35% of you are interested in hearing about my layoff experience, while another 35% are eager for career advice. It took some contemplation to decide if sharing my layoff journey would truly add value, given the abundance of similar narratives out there. Yet, ultimately, I see it as an important exercise to close this chapter of my life. My reflection on the experience revolves around two aspects: what caught me off guard the most: 😐 Emotional Rollercoaster: "It takes a year to recover," the psychologist told me. At first, I couldn't believe it would take that long, but then I realized that despite initially feeling awful about being laid off, each day doesn't necessarily improve things. Instead, it's more like riding a constant emotional rollercoaster — from feeling hopeful after a positive response or interview to feeling like the biggest loser when receiving five rejections per day. 😑 Acceptance that life will never be the same (I know it sounds a bit dramatic): but working for the same company for almost ten years does make it a big part of your life. At one point, most of my friends were from the company, my hobbies and classes were there, and even all the T-shirts my husband had bore its logo. I had to accept that things would never be the same and start looking for a new life instead of trying to replicate the old one. What helping me navigate through it: 😁 Engaging in activities I never had time or courage for: Ever since I had an accident at 18, I firmly believed that driving wasn't for me. But with all this free time on my hands now, I thought, "Why not give it a shot?" I passed the theory exam and now I'm taking driving lessons every week. The instructor says I'm doing really well (fingers crossed he's not just being nice 🤣). In summary, trying something new, learning skills completely out of your comfort zone, can be incredibly helpful. 😁 Joining a new group (whatever it may be): I was fortunate to have started my MBA studies just before I got laid off. Being part of this new course, making friends who don't really care where you work, has brought fresh perspectives and helped me navigate this new reality. Does it resonate with your experience?

Career decisions can be fraught with potential regrets. With job market uncertainties, layoffs, family commitments, and economic factors, trying to make the right decision is anything but easy. Read about some new data that can help ease that stress, leading to smarter career choices and fewer regrets. If you are looking to advance your career and would like to explore career opportunities at New York Life, let’s talk. https://bit.ly/3xMvNxZ