Why Networking Is So Beneficial After Being Laid Off

Why Networking Is So Beneficial After Being Laid OffWhy Networking Is So Beneficial After Being Laid Off4If youve recently gone through a layoff, networking can help you navigate the rough waters of unemployment and buoy you towards a better job. Networking definitely takes some know-how, though. Youll need to thinkbeyond boring networking events, and discover how to best use your network to your advantage and letpeople know that youre in the market for a new job after being laid off.Here are some waysyour network can help you find a job after beinglaid offThey can help you landinformational interviews.Lets say that you have a connection who works at a company youd like to join one day. Instead of begging your contact to hook you up with the boss to get a gig, you can ask for an informational interview. Find out what the company culture is like, the ins and outs of their job, and how their department works together. This can give you a good idea if your dream company could be a fit f or you.They can help you gain back some confidence.Layoffs are hard- and can take a toll on your confidence and overall well-being.But surrounding yourself with driven, successful people can help motivate you to move forward after youve been laid off.They can give you job application advice.If it has been years since you last applied for a job, youll probably need some help in this department.Resume styles trend just as much as clothes do. So if yours is sporting some serious shoulder pads, it might be time tooverhaul your resume completely. But if youre unsure of current trends, what companies want to see, etc., you can always ask your network for help, and to critique your resume and cover letter once youre done. Their advice can help your job application look as current and polished as possible. (Another tip check out our resume-writing advice on the FlexJob blog)They can lead you to new connections.If youve been in the saatkorn job or industry for a while, you may not know many people outside of that small circle. After being laid off, youll want to expand your network And, the best way to do that is to tap into the small one youve already established to ask for introductions.Perhaps you saw on a former colleagues LinkedIn profile that they have a connection to a person youd love to get to know better. Depending on your relationship with your contact, you couldask if the person can forge an introductionfor the two of you. You might have better luck if you get a recommendation from a friend than simply cold-calling the person you want to get in touch with.They can offerjob search advice.If you had been employed for years before your layoff, you might not know how to start your search. Tapping your network for job search tips, including where to even look for a new job, can be a great help. You can even ask how long they think a typical job search can take, so you can gauge how long it could be before you find a new job.They can help you prepfor interviews.I magine landing a great job interview- and then botching it because your nerves got the better of you. Prepare for potential job interviews by having some key members of your network give you mock interviews. Youll learn how to answer those tricky interview questions that are meant to mess you up, and how to give clear, concise answers instead.They can offer some insider info.Maybe someone in your network happens to know that a particular company of interest is about to lift their hiring freeze. Or, maybe theyve heard an employer youve thought about working for is about to fold. It can be beneficial to have someone whos in the know on your side.Networking after you have suffered through a layoff can help you get right back in the saddle and find a great jobLooking for even more help recovering from your layoff? partnered with LinkedIn Learning to create a whole course for you. Get a 30 day free trial with unlimited access to LinkedIn Learnings full course catalog Heres an overview o n Recovering from a Layoff to learn more about the course.