Losing your job is a traumatic experience. All at once, your life dramatically changes. You immediately start to worry about the financial implications. How long can you last in between roles? What are all the paperwork and other things that need to be reviewed and signed?
You fear telling your spouse and kids. With the labor demand cooling for white-collar workers, it could take a long time to find new employment.
Instead of keeping your job loss to yourself, it is essential that you leverage social media platforms, like LinkedIn and TikTok, to alert others that you are in need of assistance in procuring a new opportunity.
Why Go To Social Media?
Social media has become an integral part of the job search and career development process, offering a range of tools and opportunities for individuals who have lost their jobs and are seeking new employment or career advancement.
LinkedIn and other social networks are widely used for job searching, networking and professional development. They allow individuals to showcase their skills, connect with potential employers and stay informed about job opportunities.
In recent years, TikTok has found a unique niche in career-related content, where users share insights, tips and experiences related to various professions. While not a traditional job search platform, TikTok has become a space for highlighting viral workplace trends.
Social media offers individuals the opportunity to build and showcase their personal brand and engage with industry-specific content. It can also help individuals stand out to potential employers and recruiters.
Tips For Creating Your ‘Job Loss’ Post
These tips can help professionals effectively share their experiences with job loss online. Simultaneously, you must leverage social media for networking, job hunting and providing support to others in similar situations.
When sharing about job loss, it’s important to be authentic and transparent. This can help others relate to your experience and provide a sense of community for those going through similar situations.
It also gives you a sense of agency, as it is a bold and empowering move. When discussing your downsizing, instead of dwelling on the layoff itself, it can be beneficial to shift focus on what you want to do next in your career and how you plan to grow your skills set.
Many individuals use social networks to provide motivation and support to others who are also experiencing job loss. Sharing your journey can help motivate others and create a sense of purpose.
LinkedIn offers an #opentowork feature that signals to recruiters and hiring managers that you are in the market for a new job. It is important to go beyond the green banner. You want to clearly describe your background, prior experiences, what you want to do next, the type of company and industry and the ballpark corporate title and compensation. This way, people will know more about you and could better offer assistance. If you’re looking to make a career pivot or explore something new, highlight the transferable skills, so it makes sense to prospective employers.
Recruiters and companies are active on social media, and some individuals have received job leads and opportunities as a result of their posts.
Your online content can also be the reason you don’t get a job. Nobody is happy about being given the pink slip. There will undoubtedly be hurt feelings, anger and resentment. Although it’s difficult, always avoid talking negatively about your former employer and co-workers. It will backfire, as those inclined to help you will feel that you might not have the right temperament to recommend you for any job openings. In your layoff announcement, focus on highlighting your positive experiences with the company and some of your success stories.
Source: Forbes
