Here are 5 tips on how to find your next role after being laid off

Here are some tips on how to find your next position after being laid off.

Violeta Stomenova | Electronic+ | Getty Images

Companies around the world continue to downsize after overhiring during the pandemic.

According to statistics, more than 57,000 employees have been laid off worldwide since the beginning of this year. Layoffs are for reference only. From Alphabet to Meta, Amazon to Microsoft, big tech companies have taken a huge hit, with nearly 230 companies in the industry laying off employees this year.

There are more than 14,500 people in Singapore alone tight By 2023, it will “more than double from the record low in 2022,” the government said. With all these layoffs, many people are on the market looking for new positions.

“Going through a layoff is a very emotional experience,” says LinkedIn career expert Pooja Chhabria. It’s easy to feel lost after the event, so it’s important to take some time to reflect and make a plan on how to move forward.

She gives five tips on how to land your next position:

Invest in the community

Layoffs will inevitably bring new challenges. First, it’s important to get involved in the community and work to strengthen your network.

“Keep in touch with colleagues from your previous positions,” Chhabria told CNBC did it. Additionally, she recommends attending industry events and networking with companies where you would like to work.

“We found that if someone was referred by someone they knew at the company, the number of people who got the opportunity increased fourfold,” she said.

Improve your online presence

In between jobs, it’s crucial to use the time wisely for career growth. She adds that it’s equally important to show your growth.

Chhabria recommends emphasizing your skills when updating your resume and online career profile. “87% of recruiters tell us they prioritize skills when reviewing job candidates,” she said.

Another way to stand out is to start sharing content online about your expertise, previous work experience, or future career aspirations.

“Content can really build community,” Chhabria said. “If I talk about my work, I can make my work reach more people.”

Be prepared to answer the “Tell me about yourself” question

“Be sure to be prepared for the first question you’re usually asked in an interview: tell me about yourself,” Chhabria says.

“I think a lot of people underestimate this question,” she said, but “it’s about you making the case for why you’re the best person for the job.”

Be prepared to answer this question. It can help you stand out and influence the direction of the interview.

“Sometimes I find that people tend to spend a lot of time describing their work experiences in chronological order,” she says. “I would say telling a more cohesive story is more impactful.”

Chhabria recommends preparing your answer by talking about your experience and relating it to why it was valuable to the position and task at hand.

She said a candidate’s answers to this question help her determine whether they are a good fit for the position.

Own your career gap

This can be daunting Talk about the career gap you took after being laid off.

“For professionals, career breaks are also considered natural,” she said. “Just be honest and transparent.”

Being candid helps build trust with the interviewer.

Additionally, she recommends talking about how you can use this time to your advantage. “Whether you invested in building new skills, took some LinkedIn Learning courses, or did some freelance work,” it’s important to talk about how you’re spending this time.