(Photo by @andrewtneel)
As I meet with students, I am hearing a continuous stream of questions: "what do I do? is this going to get better? how do I handle it? what will happen next month/year?" I try to be as honest as I can in my assessment of the hiring landscape, and share my story to show that you too will face challenges in your career and figure out ways to recover.
Can I tell you a secret? I've been laid off three times in my career.
Once, in early 2001: I have the dubious distinction of being one of the first people McKinsey ever laid off. As a junior recruiter, I started my job and was there for 6 weeks before getting laid off in early 2001. I then received 6 weeks of severance and 6 months of outplacement services (which is what senior executives received at companies like JP Morgan and Ford). At the time, that meant a personal career coach and a dedicated office in midtown Manhattan to help support my job search. Luckily for me, the outplacement firm then offered me a job -- and that's where I was working on 9/11/2001 when tragedy struck New York City. My job was the only secure thing in a world of chaos and fear, and I believed that my work was helping others who had lost their jobs recover and move forward.
Second, in 2004: I was excited to join a social networking startup called TheSquare.com. As Director of Marketing/Membership, I hosted parties to get new members -- and when actors Chris Noth (Sex in the City) & Scott Speedman (Underworld) attended, membership skyrocketed 30%!! Things were going great! And then we started cross-promoting with this tiny college startup called TheFacebook...and within a couple months, I was laid off. It took me a few months but then I landed at MIT to help grow a preprofessional program called UPOP. I loved helping students gain skills to get their foot in the door & launch their careers.
Third, in 2007: I was poached from MIT to start a campus recruiting program at growing B2B startup Endeca. I worked with the CEO and senior leaders to build a program to hire coders & consultants as intern and full-time hires, managing $.5M budget ...until the company started to see a sharp decline in sales as the mortgage crisis turned into the Great Recession. I was offered the chance to stay on in a regular HR role but I enjoy engaging with students more than benefits administration. I landed my role at Harvard Kennedy School a few months later and had a front-row seat to the Obama election. I worked for David Gergen, a former advisor to 4 US Presidents, and helped connect graduate students to senior leaders in healthcare, government, education and business - from General Colin Powell to Bill George (former CEO, Medtronic) to Valerie Jarrett (former senior advisor to President Obama).
Why am I telling you this?
I know what it's like to have hard things happen and to not know what to do next.
I know that it can feel like the wind is knocked out of you.
I know what it feels like to not be sure how you'll pay your rent.
I know that we are facing something unprecedented in our lifetimes and that's scary for everyone.
Leaders we admire face all kinds of challenges on a daily basis and all of them started right where you are.
I know that you have the skills and the initiative to figure out a way forward -- and sometimes, really great things can come from uncertain times.
This too shall pass.
I was able to bounce back from each of these challenges by trusting my skills, my instincts and my network.
Many organizations are full of good people who are trying to do the right thing by their employees, customers and future candidates (though there will be some who make a lot of mistakes along the way). There is an incredibly generous spirit out in the world right now - try to tap into it or add to it if you can.
#WhatShouldIDoNow
Take a deep breath. Exhale. Repeat until you are calm. Trust me. It will get better. You are amazing.
Practice empathy towards others. Imagine what it is like to be in their shoes and let that guide you in your responses.
Build your resilience. My post last week was full of tips on how to cope & how to build your resilience.
Look to see who is hiring.
Umbrella is hiring immediately for an Operations Partner to help provide services to seniors who are stuck at home. Let me know if you want to be connected.
Stay in the process. Continue to keep networking to find out about job opportunities before they are posted. And keep submitting job applications - the only way for you to be considered is if you have applied.
Ask for help when you need it. Family, friends, colleagues, etc are all great resources to help you with problems big and small, or seek out professional support for the challenges that require more focused attention.
