This is my (layoff) story👇
In light of all the recent layoffs, I want to share the story of how I bounced back after being laid off almost decade ago.
😒 CHAPTER 1: THE LAYOFF
Many years ago, I was working as a CD at small ad tech start up in New York City. The job was great. I was learning a ton. Building my reel. Life was good. I soon realized that even the best companies can hit hard times. As a result, a number of talented people were laid off - myself included. It was depressing, to say the least. 🤦🏼♂️
🔍 CHAPTER 2: THE QUEST FOR OPPORTUNITY
The job hunt was grueling. A total rat race. Despite a solid portfolio, interviews were scarce, and callbacks even rarer. Determined to stand out, I redesigned my website, updated my resume, tweaked my LinkedIn page - over and over again. Still, nothing. Crickets... Whatever I was doing (or not doing), simply wasn’t working. ❌
⤵️ CHAPTER 3: THE PIVOT
I needed to do something. Something unexpected. Take a different approach. I asked myself: “What can I do to set myself apart?” 🤔
My answer: Create something that highlights my skills with personal touch. Send it out. Make a wish. Hope for the best. 🙏🏻
💡I’m in the storytelling business and figured the best way to showcase my storytelling ability was to tell my own with a short film. 🎬 I had a lifetime of content to pull from. I collected all my work, sifted through family photo albums, dusted and digitized old VHS tapes, recorded VO on my iPhone inside my state-of-the-art recording studio (aka my closet), and jumped into the edit. No guardrails. No deadlines. It just had to be good. The only KPI was getting hired. After 20 gallons of coffee, 6 weeks of work and a case of delicious ice cold refreshing zero sugar #Pepsi 😉, my story was ready for launch. 🚀
🏈 CHAPTER 4: THE HAIL MARY
Armed with my creation, I cast a wide net, sending it to potential employers far and wide. To my amazement, it actually worked. I was landing interviews, getting callbacks and eventually offers. I took a job and was back in the game. ✅
💪🏼 In the face of adversity, I learned the power of innovation and perseverance.
My message to you: When traditional methods falter, think differently. Tackle the problem from a new angle. Make something. Take a swing. Stay positive, stay focused, and dare to redefine the status quo.
Good luck out there!
Link to the the finished video below.
#jobhunt #resilience #Innovation #jobsearch #layoffs #persistence #selfpromotion #careeradvice #embracechallenges #makesomething
3D Character Artist
5moI hope the situation will return to before Because this is the problem in the world And it is not a good situation at all if it continues like this