Hey everyone, I recently got the news that my job is being eliminated due to budget cuts, and about half the company is being laid off too. Although I had a hunch something was off, I didn't expect it to hit this hard. After years of working towards my first professional position straight out of university, being laid off is tough. I've been applying left and right—over 30 applications in just a few days—tailoring my resume and cover letters for each one. Some positions feel like a perfect fit, while others are more of a stretch.
However, I'm starting to feel overwhelmed and guilty when I'm not applying for jobs. Seeing so many applicants on LinkedIn makes it seem like a futile effort. I'm curious for advice from those who have been through layoffs before:
- Is my approach of applying to many roles while tailoring my application the right strategy?
- How can I avoid burning out during this job search?
- Any tips for targeting niche positions, especially since my experience is mainly in Kubernetes, HPC, Linux, IaC, and Automation?
Also, how long should I dedicate to this search before considering broader roles? It just feels disheartening sometimes, and I wish there was a way to fast-forward through this process. Appreciate any advice or experiences you could share!
4 Answers
I feel for you! After I was laid off, I spent months searching and applying but eventually found a position that was much better suited for me. Just apply, apply, apply. Don’t let yourself feel bad about applications going unanswered. Set a daily or weekly goal for yourself, but don’t overdo it—otherwise, you’ll burn out. Finding your next position can take time, so be kind to yourself through this process.
Inspiring! Thanks for the encouragement!
I'm really sorry to hear you're going through this; it’s rough. Just remember, it’s completely normal to feel this way after a layoff. My advice is to think of the job hunt like a job itself. Set boundaries for your application time each day to avoid burnout—around one to two hours is good to start.
Also, don't underestimate the value of learning new skills while you search. This can add to your resume and keep you occupied. When it comes to applications, applying for jobs where you meet about 60% of the qualifications is totally okay. The worst that can happen is you don’t hear back, which we all deal with anyway.
That makes sense! How do you suggest I balance learning new skills while still applying, though? It feels like there’s so much pressure to do both right now.
Thank you! Great reminder about the 60% rule and applying for things I may not feel 100% confident in.
I’ve been in your shoes before, and I get how stressful it can feel. You mentioned LinkedIn; I find that it usually has a lot of unresponsive listings. Try focusing on niche job boards and connecting directly with tech recruiters you trust. Also, reach out to your network; someone might know about openings not posted publicly.
Good advice! I’ll definitely look into specialized recruiters instead of just relying on LinkedIn.
Networking sounds like a move I should make for sure, thanks!
Honestly, seeing a huge number of other applicants can be disheartening, but don’t let that discourage you. Many of those applications are probably from people who don’t have the right skills or haven’t completed the process. Make sure your resume stands out with tangible achievements. Also, diversifying your applications to relevant fields like infrastructure or platform engineering could open up more opportunities.
That’s a great point! I’ve been so focused on staying within my current field; I’ll broaden my search.
I’ll make sure my resume highlights my contributions more clearly, thanks for the tip!
I appreciate that! I will definitely try to set more manageable goals.