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Layoff Care Package

By February 12, 2023March 19th, 2023No Comments

Background on The Layoff Package: 

The What:

  • This 20 page guide includes:
    • 50+ pieces of career advice from Recruiters & Hiring Managers
    • The best free job-search tools including new AI tools
    • 14 step Game Plan to help you secure offers (𝘦.𝘨. 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘔𝘜𝘚𝘛 𝘥𝘰 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘴, 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘢𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘴, 𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘦𝘥𝘐𝘯, 𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘴, 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴)
    • And more…

The Why:

  • Support job-seekers during a difficult time with layoffs and help them transition into new employment opportunities.

The Who:

  • This free resource is for all the people who:
    • Have recently been laid off
    • Know someone who has recently been laid off 
    • Would like to learn more about the current job market
    • Struggling to find an internship or job 
    • Want to stand above and beyond the competition 

The How:

  • We have aggregated the best tools and secrets from conversations with Recruiters, Hiring Managers, Thought Leaders, and Career Coaches from companies such as Google, Netflix, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, LinkedIn, and more.

What you will find in this guide:

  • Background on “The Final Round”
  • 50 pieces of career advice 
  • A GAMEPLAN (The X’s & O’s)
    • Step 1: Complete Timely Action Items
    • Step 2: Rest, Reflect, & Regroup
    • Step 3: Create a Work Journal 
    • Step 4: Identify Your Target Role & Industry
    • Step 5: Update Your Resume 
    • Step 6: Optimize Your LinkedIn 
    • Step 7: Share Your Situation with Others
    • Step 8: Network Like Crazy 
    • Step 9: Begin The Search
    • Step 10: Apply
    • Step 11: The Interview
    • Step 12: Land The Offer & Salary Negotiation
    • Step 13: Spread The Wealth
    • Step 14: The Final Round

Background on The Final Round:

🥊 The Final Round is your go-to career platform to “knock out” the competition, “advance” past the final round interview, and “grow” in your career. 

We offer free career resources ranging from a top-rated podcast, YouTube channel, website blog, Knockout Newsletter, and free mini-courses. Check out our Knockout Stories here. 

🎙️ Season 1 highlights:

  • Interviewed 30+ Recruiters from companies such as Netflix, McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, Spotify, and Google
  • Covered industries such as consulting, banking and finance, tech, music, venture capital, and gaming
  • Named a top 1% show out of 2 million shows globally (according to Listen Score)
  • Received over 160 5-star Apple Podcast Reviews and 130 audience Knockout Stories

50 Pieces of Advice from Industry/Thought Leaders

Here at The Final Round we believe that the best advice comes from the decision makers themselves which is why everything you are about to read comes from the best in the business, such asking 50 Recruiters and Hiring Managers:

A Game Plan (The X’s & O’s) 

  • Step 1 – Immediate/timely action items post layoffs
  • Step 2 – Rest, Reflect, & Regroup
  • Step 3 – Document everything you did in your prev role
  • Step 4 – Identify your target role and industry
  • Step 5 – Update your resume 
  • Step 6 – Optimize your LinkedIn profile
  • Step 7 – Share your situation with others
  • Step 8 – Network like crazy
  • Step 9 – Begin the search
  • Step 10 – Apply
  • Step 11 – Interview
  • Step 12 – Land offers and negotiate salary
  • Step 13 – Spread the Wealth
  • Step 14 – Advance past The Final Round

Step 1: Complete timely action items 

Taking the time to Rest, Reflect, & Regroup is essential when dealing with a layoff (we will talk about this in Step 2) but there are a few tasks that are time sensitive that you definitely should complete ASAP.

  • Apply for Unemployment
    • Read this how-to guide here
  • Understand & Negotiate Your Severance Package
    • Understand the meaning, purpose, and benefits of your severance package here
    • Negotiate your severance package here
  • Ask for Letter(s) of Recommendation
    • Ask your former team and manager/s for recommendations
      • Ask the people who know you best!
    • What, why, who, when, and how of LinkedIn Recommendations (here)
    • These can come in formally or via LinkedIn (tips here and how-to here)
    • You can even ask them to think of any other employees they may know and put you in contact with them
  • Subscribe for free to the “Knockout Newsletter” so you can get insight from Recruiters and Hiring Managers delivered straight to your inbox. 
  • Add Your Name to various “Layoff Lists”
    • Company-specific layoff lists such as:
    • List anyone can join here (details here) – over 12,000 people on this list

Step 2: Rest, Reflect, & Regroup

Remember that we are all human beings before anything else so taking time to address your situation and emotions that follow are vital. So, we’ve curated the best ways for you to Rest, Reflect, and Regroup before securing your next dream job!

Think about it like this… A layoff is a career-version of being rear-ended 🚗.

While it sucks, you need to remind yourself that this “crash” was NOT your fault. 

And that you WILL get through this.

Living in a culture and society built upon a foundation of achievement, aspirations, and the unthinkable, we often fail to remind ourselves (and those around us) that we are human beings 1st, and employees 2nd. When dealing with layoffs, we are reminded that there is more to life than the activities that take place between the hours of 9am to 5pm. With this, we wanted to ensure we started this resource to remind you to:

Rest:

  • Take a period of time to log off professional networks (like LinkedIn) and truly focus on self-reflection. 
  • Intentionally recognize the emotions you’re going through as this is the first vital step in finding the job of your dreams! 

Reflect:

  • Think back to the good, the bad, and the inbetween. Although your previous employment stint didn’t end as you would’ve hoped, I’m sure there are memories, projects, and people you’ll never forget.
  • What experiences, perspectives, and insights can you take into your next role to make the experience even better?
  • What changes are you seeking to make whether personally or professionally moving forward?

Regroup:

  • What’s one thing professional athletes and yourself have in common (other than dominating your company intramural Pickle ball team)? We all deserve time to recharge on energy, ideas, and motivation. 
  • So before you go out and apply to new jobs and interview, remember to take the necessary time to rest, reflect, and recharge. 
  • And please prioritize yourself over pleasing others 

Step 3: Create a Work Journal

Today more than ever it’s all in the details, and when working 40+ hours a week on complex projects with many moving pieces it can be hard to remember each and every aspect. 

You hear these 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 of employees working one day and the next day losing company access. And maybe you were one of these horror stories.

Whether you can act reactively or proactively, you NEED to create 𝗮 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹.

Imagine you work 2 years at a company, get laid off, and try to update your resume with all that you have done. Your mind goes blank. You know your role high level but it is hard to remember the more detailed aspects, the results, and the impact you made.

Or maybe you were just laid off. Write EVERYTHING you can remember from your job.

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁: Google doc or Word doc that is saved on your personal email.

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: This can be a google doc where you document your specific role, what you have done, any numbers of results/impact, links to websites (such as a blog post), screenshots of your work, etc.

𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲: You will utilize this work journal to update your resume and LinkedIn profile, and to answer future interview questions such as “Tell me more about your past social media manager role at X company”.

Note that you should only write down YOUR impact/results, and be careful to not write down any confidential or company-sensitive data.

𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀: If you are still working, Try to update this doc every 1-2 weeks. If you were laid off, try to make a brain dump and write down EVERYTHING you can remember from your past job.

𝗪𝗵𝗼: Every employee should make one, including interns

This is one of the many work hacks that Recruiters have shared with us from our “Recruiter Round Table” live events here. 

Step 4: Identify your target role and industry

When starting a business you first must define your target market and industry before anything else and this is exactly the same for the job search! 

Having a targeted and focused job search will lead to better results for the same effort. As you embark on this job search journey, remember that recruiting is like a marathon.

Not knowing what role or industry to target is like trying to drive to a destination but you don’t know what address to input in your GPS – it just doesn’t work and you will end up getting very, very lost! 

Defining your target role and industry is the first step in the process of landing your dream job. It’s similar to when an entrepreneur believes they have the next game-changing product or service – it’s not viable/justifiable without recognizing WHO the customer is (job role in our case) and industry details through market research!

4 tips to identify your target role (full article here)

  1. Reflecting on your past
  2. Drill down to identify your skills 
  3. Be true to your values
  4. Embrace your strengths

If you are still unsure of your target job/role/industry after these tips, check out our TikTok account where we do on the street interviews and ask people about their careers (example here).

Step 5: Update your resume 

When holding a specific job for an extended period of time we often forget to update our resume. And an outdated resume is like an expired coupon, it just doesn’t work. 

Your resume can be your best friend and partner in crime if optimized and updated effectively.  

As you prepare to begin your job search be sure to update your resume with 

  • Work/Professional Experience
  • Volunteer/Community Engagement
  • Skills/Certificates
  • Educational Achievements/Accolades
  • Role Specific Experiences 
  • Leadership examples

Here are some questions to ask yourself when updating your resume:

  • What stats/analytics/data can I incorporate within my resume?
  • Is my resume impact and results driven?
  • How do I remain concise while also providing the main idea?
  • Is the information clear and understandable?
  • Visually, do I want to read my resume?
  • How can I tailor my resume for the specific role I am applying to?
  • How can I incorporate keywords within my resume (based on the job description)?
  • What information is a MUST-HAVE and what can be left off?
  • Is my resume free of errors? (grammar, sentence structure, etc.)
  • Is my tone of voice all in the same tense? (past, present, future, etc.)

Resume Samples To Inspire Your Next Application here

One of the most important aspects of a resume is ensuring it is impact and results driven. For example, which resume statement sounds better?

  • Ran social media management for our company and increased reach.
  • Spearheaded social media engagement through various digital marketing tactics raising follower count by 132% and overall account engagement by 500% over a 3 month period.

Of course, the latter is the better statement! Recruiters and Hiring Managers want to see a trend of you taking initiative over time. 

How to write tailored CV/Resume

  1. Research the company and the job position: Before writing your CV/resume, research the company you are applying to and the job position you are interested in. This will give you a better understanding of the company culture, values, and the specific skills and experience they are looking for in a candidate.
  2. Highlight relevant experience: Review your CV/resume and highlight the experience, skills, and achievements that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Focus on the areas that match the requirements listed in the job description.
  3. Use keywords: Incorporate keywords from the job description into your CV/resume. This will help you match the language used by the employer and increase the chances of your application being picked up by an applicant tracking system (ATS).
  4. Customize the objective/summary section: Write a custom objective or summary section that specifically states your career goals and how your skills and experience align with the job position.
  5. Focus on achievements; quantify impacts: Instead of simply listing your responsibilities, highlight your achievements and how you added value in your previous roles. Use quantifiable data to show the impact you had in your previous positions.
  6. Proofread: Before submitting your CV/resume, proofread it several times to catch any typos or grammatical errors. A well-written and error-free CV/resume can make a positive impression on the employer.

We mentioned what TO DO on your Resume… but are there any common mistakes to avoid?

Glad you asked!

Our team at The Final Round hosted a “Resume Review Giveaway” by 8 company Recruiters (from companies such as Boston Consulting Group, Airbnb, New York Times, Walmart, Microsoft, and more).

Mistakes to avoid:

Be sure to review all 5 of the most common mistakes here

If you want more resume secrets, check out our podcast episodes where we interview leading Recruiters at companies such as McKinsey, Goldman, LinkedIn, Google, Airbnb, Netflix, Spotify, and more. 

Step 6: Optimize your LinkedIn

Recruiting is competitive. How can you stand out from the crowd?

Building your personal brand! 

4 Reasons For Personal Branding (full article here):

  1. Helps One Stand Out From The Crowd
  2. Leads To Opportunity
  3. Your Audience Will Trust You More
  4. People will screen you online

LinkedIn is the social media for the professional world and you want to ensure your profile stands out in the almost 1 BILLION LinkedIn profiles. Here are the best tips/tricks for your LinkedIn profile: 

  1. Create a compelling headline: Your headline should accurately reflect your recent job title and industry, and should be keyword-rich to improve your visibility in searches. 
  2. Write/Update your summary section: Your summary should provide a snapshot of your background, skills, and career goals. Be sure to highlight your achievements and experiences, and keep your tone professional but approachable. This is a good place to add a human touch by including your interests at the end of your summary too! 
  3. Optimize your profile photo: Your profile photo is the first thing people see when they visit your profile, so make sure it’s a high-quality headshot that represents you well. Watch this YouTube video to create an attrition-grabbing profile pic for LinkedIn. 
  4. Create a good background photo: Apart from your profile picture, the background photo is what people see before all of your experiences! Use tip on how to create one. She encourages job-seekers to “think like a marketer and use ALL of the real estate on your LinkedIn profile to get better results!” 
  5. Add an open to work banner: This showcases your availability and increases your visibility to recruiters and hiring managers, and can help you in your job search and career advancement. Learn how to here. Help others help you! 
  6. Complete the ultimate optimization checklist here

For additional information on optimizing your LinkedIn, listen to The Final Round podcast episode with Recruiting Ninja and Talent Advisor, Megan O’Meara, which includes live LinkedIn profile reviews of audience members.

Step 7: Share Your Situation with Others

Now is the time to LEAN ON YOUR NETWORK. 

LinkedIn Update:

Share your situations with the LinkedIn community to gain visibility! Try to be concise, honest, and optimistic. Positive framing can tell the same story in an enlightening way that connects with the viewer’s emotions! You can also use hashtags such as #layoff or #jobsearch to increase visibility. 

Here are a few examples of strong LinkedIn posts announcing layoffs:

Feel free to utilize a post template like this one here:

Let your friends, family, and former colleagues know about your situation: 

Don’t forget to leverage your close network too! Reconnect with former colleagues and friends, check in with them during this challenging time and let them know about your job search. They may have leads or connections that could help you in your search. Make sure to mention WHAT type of roles you are looking for. 

Help other people help you:

Always make it as effortless as possible for the other person who you might need help from. If you are asking for someone to introduce you to another person, write the email draft/message for them. If you are asking for a job referral, share your resume and job id. Make it effortless for them to help you.  

The importance of leaning on your network is a HUGE takeaway that many Recruiters have shared with us on our podcast so be sure to check out our podcast episodes where we interview leading Recruiters at companies such as McKinsey, Goldman, LinkedIn, Google, Airbnb, Netflix, Spotify, and more. 

Plus, the more you share your life updates with others, the more you can stay “top of mind”.

Step 8: Network like crazy

Our favorite quote from a Recruiter from the Boston Consulting Group is “Network early, when you don’t need anything” (episode here). 

Stop networking only when you NEED something. 

Network early and often since you never know when you need to LEAN on your network.

Action Items 

  • Engage current network
  • Build new network
  • Reach out for coffee chats

Level up your networking game by watching our free rapid-fire mini LinkedIn Learning Nano Course, where we cover… 

  • Why is it important to network? 
  • Biggest networking myths 
  • When should you network? 
  • How to network and best practices 
  • Researching questions for networking 
  • What to say during a networking call 
  • How to ask the “tough questions” 
  • Taking notes during a networking call 
  • Sending a follow up thank you message 
  • Staying in touch with your network

Great blog posts on networking:

An example of a networking hack no one talks about here:  

Step 9: Begin the search

Just like with all things in life, the hardest line to cross is not the finish line but the start line. Most people don’t even get started, so kudos to you for putting in the work to make it happen (air claps)!!

First things first

Know more about current layoffs at layoffs.fyi. It’s crucial to be aware of the current market situation and if the company you’re applying to has recently undergone layoffs. This doesn’t mean that you should avoid applying to companies with layoffs, but targeting companies with less layoff might be more advantageous. It’s also a good idea to understand the company’s current status, which can be helpful when making networking contacts and attending interviews.

Leverage your network 

Professional networking sites like LinkedIn can assist you in connecting with industry professionals and finding job openings. Don’t overlook the network you already have, such as college classmates, former colleagues, and family friends, etc. Posting on LinkedIn is powerful and many people are empathizing with your situation right now – and people might reach out to you before you have to make that “awkward first move”. 

Get some help

Layoffs, economic downturns, and inflation don’t work well together, but they unfortunately happened at the same time. If you feel overwhelmed, maybe it is time to seek some outside help. For example, there are job accelerators that are free until you get hired, like Pathrise with a 96% placement rate and pairs you with an industry mentor already working at your dream company. Applying takes under 30 seconds and is free – apply here. You can also find a mentor on your own, and there are 6 main places to look here. 

Click for Job Accelerator

…

Industry Specific Openings

  1. Professional associations: Join professional organizations in your field, attend events and conferences, and connect with industry professionals to learn about job opportunities (for instance, the public relations industry has the Public Relations Society of American). 
  2. Job boards: Search job boards that specialize in your desired industry, such as AngelList (job board, startups, small companies), ModernTeams (job board, cool companies), Dice (for technology), MediaBistro (for media and creative), or John Gannon Blog (for Venture Capital). 
  3. Social Media: Follow relevant companies, industry leaders, Recruiters, and Hiring Managers on LinkedIn, Twitter, and other social media platforms. They may post job openings or announce new hiring initiatives.

15 Top Job Sites and Boards

  1. Indeed Job Search
  2. Glassdoor Jobs
  3. LinkedIn
  4. Google for Jobs
  5. Monster
  6. ZipRecruiter
  7. Simply Hired
  8. CareerBuilder
  9. Snag (Formerly Snagajob)
  10. LinkUp
  11. Craigslist Jobs
  12. US.jobs
  13. Robert Half
  14. Job.com
  15. USAjobs.gov

As you are applying to jobs, start making an effort to become a PROACTIVE candidate rather than REACTIVE (full breakdown here). 

As you begin your search, you might find that certain roles require certain skill sets, such as “experience using SQL or Python”.

  • Use this as an indicator to UPSKILL so that you can become stronger and more qualified candidate for the more technical roles
  • Upskill using Google Grow & Free Google Courses, LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, Coursera, etc. 

Step 10: Apply

Have you heard the saying “there are plenty of fish in the sea”. Yeah, we thought so but in this case we aren’t talking about finding a soulmate; we’re talking about finding your dream job. And, the fact is you’re not the only fish applying so help us help you stand out with your application.

Does this sound like you?

  • Submitting applications but not landing interviews
  • Getting ghosted by Recruiters
  • Constant interview rejection
  • Just lost in your job search

If yes… You are not alone! Getting an offer is hard, especially if you are shooting for the top jobs at the top companies. You need to stand out.

You probably have thought about hiring a career coach. The problem with that is their incentive is not aligned with yours if you are paying them upfront or per session.

But The Final Round came across a solution to this exact problem.

Pathrise is an online job accelerator that is FREE until you get hired. There is no risk since Pathrise has an incentive to help get you a job. They have placed over 1000 fellows into dream jobs and have a 96% placement rate!

Click for Job Accelerator

…

This is way more than a career coach. You get paired with an industry expert that works at your dream company and can show you the insider tips, reaches out to recruiters and HMs for you, applies to companies on your behalf, revamps your LI and Resume, and negotiates a higher salary for you when you land offers. 

Applying takes less than 30 seconds so apply today → link here.

Warm vs. Cold Applications

If you have been in the job search, you have probably applied for a million jobs and have been ghosted from most of them. In this case, your application is probably a “cold application,” and sometimes, your resume won’t even be seen given the sheer volume of applications. 

Warm and cold applications refer to the level of connection an applicant has with the employer or hiring manager before applying for a job. 

  • A warm application is one where the applicant has a prior connection with the employer, such as a personal referral. These applications typically receive a higher level of consideration, as the applicant has already established a relationship with the employer.
  • On the other hand, a cold application is one where the applicant has no prior connection or relationship with the employer. These applications are usually more impersonal and have a lower success rate, as the applicant must make a stronger first impression and stand out from other applicants without the benefit of a prior relationship. 

How to add warmth to your application (FIRE advice below)

Your application is not complete once it is submitted. That should be the first step of your application, which is followed by additional two steps. Do this 5 minute step from Nicole and it will add warmth to your application and elevate your success rates! 

Go to the company’s career page and search through employees.

  • → filter to see your first connections OR type in “recruiter” into the search bar to get a list of folks who are the most likely to help your application be seen.

Send a message 

  • → “Hi X! I just applied to (Insert role). 1 sentence of your experience that relates to the role. I’d love to learn more, let me know if you or someone on your team are open to chatting more”.

The worst case is that you get ghosted. The best case is that you caught a recruiter’s attention or got a referral.  

Stay organized 

Whether it is networking or applying, staying organized by logging all the information into Google Sheets/Excel can be an important step to success. It can be tedious and time consuming but I PROMISE YOU that your future self will thank you.

Bonus Tool: Simplify

If you are tired of having to fill out the same information over and over again in your online application, check out this free tool! Simplify helps you to auto-fill job applications, and can be added as a Chrome Extension. 

Step 11: Interview

Now, here comes the fun part! The interview is where all of the preparation, networking, blood, sweat, and tears (not literally) come into play. And we aren’t called The Final Round for no reason so let’s get you prepared to knock out the competition one interview at a time!

A list of commonly asked questions here

Tell me about yourself 

When you are asked to walk through your resume or tell more about yourself, it is essentially the same question. During this opportunity, briefly highlight a few significant experiences and explain how they led you to this interview. It is important to provide enough context without going into unnecessary details. Expressing gratitude towards the interviewer’s time and the opportunity can help you establish a good rapport with the interviewer right from the start.

Prepare 3 to 5 stories 

There is no doubt that practice is important. Recording yourself and getting interviewed by a friend are some ways to do it. However, you can never practice enough interview questions. One effective strategy is to have 3 to 5 professional stories ready to use as responses to behavioral questions. This approach allows you to adjust your stories to fit different questions, while showcasing your experiences and skills in a clear and concise manner.

Show, don’t tell

Instead of simply listing your accomplishments or describing your skills, you can use specific stories to demonstrate how you have applied them in real-life situations. This approach not only helps to make your experiences more memorable and impactful, but it also gives the interviewer a clearer understanding of your abilities and how you can add value to their organization.

Be personable 

It is crucial to be personable and to pass the “airport test” during an interview. To achieve this, avoid sounding robotic by rehearsing your answers too much. The interviewer is looking for individuals who fit well with the company culture and are capable of working collaboratively with colleagues, clients, and customers. This is why the “airport test” is a useful concept: it assesses whether the interviewer can imagine spending several hours at an airport with you. Possessing excellent skills and qualifications will get you in the door, but demonstrating strong interpersonal skills will ultimately help you cross the finish line.

Brush up on your technicals if needed

For some technical roles, a technical interview is part of the process (such as case interviews for Consulting jobs and financial technicals for financial or investment banking jobs). 

  • If you are recruiting for consulting, check out The Final Round’s free case interview guide and resources here! 

Use The Final Round as a resource

Ask interviewer great questions at the end

Most candidates either forget to ask questions at the end of an interview or they ask bad questions. Here are 38 smart questions to ask in a job interview.

Follow up with a thank you note 

After the interview, remember to stay memorable by sending a thank you note to the interviewer/s (template here). And yes, they are needed (see here as to why)

Step 12: Land Offers & Negotiate Salary 

Congrats on advancing past the final round interview and landing your job offer! 

Now, this is where you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor! When all of the hours of resume work, interview preparation, back and forth email communication and so much more pay off as you receive the message that you knocked out the competition and received an offer! 

It can be difficult but we recommend that after receiving the offer, take a day or two to really understand the offering and associated details. Often, individuals are so excited to accept that they then regret not reading the fine details as events and situations arise in the future. 

Lastly, receiving an offer displays the fact that the firm wants you to work with them which is why you may have leverage in negotiating salary and other benefits. Maybe you’re totally fine with the salary presented but like many people say “It doesn’t hurt to try”. The worst they can say is no. 

Unsure where to start? 

  • Harvard Business Review’s 15 rules for negotiating a job offer here 
  • Quick nano video tips from a leading career coach here

Step 13: Spread the wealth

How to Help Others

It may sound cliche but like the infamous line from High School Musical said “We’re all in this together”. Dealing with the impacts of layoffs whether personally or through empathy of those around you can be hard. But, what’s even better is the feeling of ensuring those affected know you are thinking of them, there to support them, and are their biggest cheerleader. Whether that be reposting a LinkedIn layoff post, sharing job openings, putting in a good word in your company, or even sharing a meal, things such as this go a long way. 

So, whether or not you feel impacted by the current layoffs, you have the ability to help. We encourage you to share this resource and any others you may come in contact with, with those in your network with the goal of helping others secure the job of their dreams. 

How to support people who were laid off:

  1. Share this free resource with them
  2. Send them The Final Round’s website which has all free resources such as a podcast, newsletter, blog, and videos
  3. When you see a layoff post on LinkedIn, engage with the post (like, comment, repost, etc.) which helps boost the post’s reach and has the chance to be seen by a recruiter or hiring manager
  4. Share open job opportunities you hear about

Step 14: Advance past The Final Round

As we stated at the beginning, The Final Round is your go-to career platform to “knock out” the competition, “advance” past the final round interview, and “grow” in your career. 

We offer free career resources ranging from a top-rated podcast, YouTube channel, website blog, Knockout Newsletter, and free mini-courses. Check out our Knockout Stories here. 

And there is no better time to pursue this mission than today with so many people affected by recent layoffs.

So from our entire team, we want to say thank you for reading the “Layoff Care Package” and we hope this resource brought hope, insight, and a spark within your job-search journey.
*If you found this free resource helpful, we would be HONORED if you could help support our mission by leaving a quick rating here, sharing The Final Round with friends, or even making a post on social media about this free resource.

Authors: AJ Eckstein, Josh Moore, Biying Wang