How to Prepare for a Soft Landing in the Job Market

𝗦𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗗𝗼 𝗜 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝘆 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘄? With USAID downsizing and ripple effects hitting implementing partners, contractors, and global development orgs, the job market is brutal right now. So I’ve consolidated my best advice—specific to this moment. 1️⃣ 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻. If you can afford it, pause before panic-applying. This wasn’t just a job—it was a mission. Layoffs hit hard. Take a moment to process, reflect, and reset before diving in. 2️⃣ 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝘀 𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗻, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁. Most searches will take 6-12 months. Some organizations are quietly hiring, but many have paused new roles. Pace yourself. Overwhelming yourself in month one will make month six that much harder. 3️⃣ 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 (𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 “𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴”). Job searching right now is exhausting. You need more than LinkedIn messages—you need a team in your corner. That might mean a career coach, a job search accountability group, or a Slack/WhatsApp community where you can be honest about the struggle. The Bloom, Career Pivot, Reconsidered - all great. 4️⃣ 𝗕𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆. There are too many job boards, too many postings, and too many applicants. Instead of throwing resumes everywhere, go where the real opportunities are. (Yes, I’m partial to ImpactSource dot ai, because it updates dynamically and auto matches you with roles—but whatever board you use, make sure it’s giving you real signal, not noise.) 5️⃣ 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗴𝘂𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵—𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗽. I see too many people applying to 100+ jobs and getting nowhere. Right now, the jobs being filled are often never even posted. Instead of panic-applying, target specific orgs, connect with insiders, and have real conversations. 6️⃣ 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. Everyone is applying through LinkedIn. But not everyone is building credibility there. Try this: Post once a week. Share something about your expertise, your past work, or even your reflections on the job search. Visibility = Opportunity. 7️⃣ 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘀 > 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. Most people get hired through connections, not job portals. Instead of applying blindly, reach out to people who know your work. Ask for warm introductions. Use first-degree LinkedIn connections wisely. 8️⃣ 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗔𝘀𝗸. Even in a job search, you have something to offer. Share job openings. Offer to review someone’s resume. Connect two people who should meet. Generosity opens doors. 9️⃣ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲—𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂. The world needs your talents more than ever. 🔟 What’s been most helpful for you? Drop your advice in the comments. Sharing is CARING.

If you find yourself unexpectedly looking for a job, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. It can feel like everything is happening all at once, and before you know it, that sense of urgency can take over, leaving you feeling stuck. But here’s the thing…I’ve worked with professionals navigating career transitions for over a decade, and I’ve seen firsthand what works (and what doesn’t). The key is to take intentional action, one step at a time, to gain momentum without letting the process consume you. Here are my top tips to help you get back on track and approach your job search with clarity and confidence: 1. Pause and Prioritize: Before diving into applications, take a moment to get clear on what you want next. Reflect on your career goals, your non-negotiables, and the type of work environment that aligns with your values. This clarity will help you target roles that genuinely fit, rather than applying to everything that pops up. 2. Leverage Your Network Strategically: Reach out to trusted contacts, former colleagues, and mentors who can provide valuable insights or referrals. But don’t just ask if they know of any openings be specific about what you’re looking for and how they can help. A focused ask gets better results. 3. Refresh Your Personal Brand: Make sure your LinkedIn profile and resume reflect your most relevant skills and accomplishments. Think about the narrative you want to convey and make sure it positions you as a strong candidate for the roles you’re targeting. 4. Create a Routine and Set Small Goals: The job search can feel like a full-time job in itself, so set a daily schedule with manageable tasks whether that’s reaching out to three connections a day, applying to two roles, or dedicating an hour to learning new skills. Consistency builds momentum. 5. Stay Grounded and Resilient: Job searches come with highs and lows. Don’t let rejection or silence get to you. Stay connected with a supportive community, keep up with activities that fuel your confidence, and remember that the right opportunity is out there. When you find yourself in an unexpected career transition, the key is to take action without letting the overwhelm dictate your approach. By staying strategic and grounded, you can navigate this chapter with resilience and purpose. You got this, one step at a time.

If you think you’ll be laid off anytime soon, here are 5 things you should do - trust me, you won't regret it. As a recruiter and career coach, I see the job market up close, and I know times are tough. Layoffs aren’t just affecting startups – even companies like Intel, Microsoft, and Google are downsizing, and the numbers don't look good. If you think a layoff might be coming your way, here’s how to prepare and secure your future: 1️⃣ Document your wins Before you leave your desk, make a detailed record of your accomplishments, key projects, and the measurable impact you’ve made at work. This will be invaluable when updating your resume and during interviews when you need to prove your worth. 2️⃣ Build a network Reconnect with old colleagues, try to attend industry events, and engage in professional groups. (Are you a finance professional? DM me to join the group) A strong network can open doors to hidden opportunities and get you referrals before jobs even go public. 3️⃣ Update your resume and LinkedIn profile Refresh your resume and update your LinkedIn profile to highlight recent achievements, skills, and responsibilities. It'll prepare you to bag new opportunities the moment they arise without scrambling at the last minute. 4️⃣ Evaluate your finances Take a close look at your savings, and start an emergency fund if you don’t have one. Financial stability gives you peace of mind and the space to make thoughtful career moves. 5️⃣ Speak to a career coach If you’re thinking about changing roles or need help with job hunting, contact a career coach. They can help refine your resume, improve your interview skills, and find the right opportunities. You can't avoid tough times, but by being prepared, you can reduce their impact on your career. Need career advice? Let’s chat. I’m here to help!

It’s tempting. When you realize that where you work is at least dysfunctional, and at worst toxic - to want to run for the exits. But take a beat. It’s important to strategically plan that exit. First and foremost, you must emotionally “break up” with them. You don’t need to tell them immediately. But you do need to plan your path to resign successfully. To do this, you must resolve that this job, company, role, or brand, no longer serves your higher aspirations. Then you build a bridge to arrive on the other side – the exit. That will involve networking with those you feel can keep your confidence. It will involve creating a narrative for why you are leaving, that does not involve the dysfunction or toxicity you are currently managing. (Nobody really wants all that detail). And it will involve regaining what you lost, by staying beyond the expiration date – your confidence, your mental health, your remembrance of what a healthy and rewarding environment feels like. It’s hard not to get caught in the power dynamics at play in a dysfunctional work environment. Seeking support to extract yourself is primary. Speak with a mentor. Hire a Coach. Take action – but keep complacency at bay. The risks are too high. Take it from someone who resigned not from one, but from two roles without another lined up. The first time, I planned my exit to have a soft landing. The second, I did not. (Fortunately, I was gainfully employed within a month, but the first time was a better landing because my planning was better). Regain your agency. Protect your boundaries. Strategize. Take an action. And deep breath. 10 Signs You Work for a Dysfunctional Company 1)       You and your colleagues constantly temperature check your boss’ mood first thing in the morning. 2)       Your boss surrounds themselves with “yes” people who support their alternative realities. 3)       Individuals leading projects have suddenly been left off meeting invites without explanation to the collective team. 4)       You have been asked to keep secrets by superiors, from other superiors. 5)       Your direct report tells you that they must “break you,” because you disagree with them. 6)       Your boss tells you that they are “wired that way,”  to give themselves permission for bad behavior. 7)       Leadership meetings devolve into unproductive weekly sessions on how to manage certain employees who constantly take to social media with every minor complaint. 8)       Your boss shares intimate details about their sex life with you and asks you about yours. 9)       Your direct report takes their entire family on work-related business trips, and expenses the entire trip, and keeps this tidbit from finance. 10) You wake up in the morning and realize you spend 60% of your time managing up someone else’s erratic behavior, versus doing your actual job. #Coaching #Work #Careers