From Lay Off to Landing: A Formula for Focus

Image: From Lay Off to Landing: A Formula for Focus

From Lay Off to Landing: A Formula for Focus

Job searching has never been an easy task. Rejections, ghosting, the integration of AI into the workplace, and current market uncertainty have made the job search in 2026 more challenging than ever before. Sustaining focus and a positive perspective can feel like a daunting task; however, with the right mindset and habits to keep you grounded – you will be successful!

In this blog the job seeker is invited to view their job search in three phases, and to align goals and tasks to each.

First, treat your job search like you would a project, and make a plan! On Monday morning (or if you like to get a jump start on your week, late Sunday evening) identify your goals for the week and the tasks that support your goals.  Be realistic when setting these goals and mindful of time needed to perform the tasks. Place these “to do’s” in a calendar and get in the habit of creating this weekly “to do” list at the beginning of each week.

Start your job search work-week with a sense of direction. This can help deter the emotional highs and lows of lay off, and certainly address the void felt when you are not scheduled to return to work. When you put yourself in action you begin to take charge of your career - regain your personal power and move towards creating the next chapter of your work life.  Your energy is now focused on the future.

Goals & Tasks for Phase One: Decrease anxiety

File for Unemployment if eligible. Understand your options for Medical Benefits and make a decision. Assess your career path and work with a Career Coach to update your resume. Review the family budget and commit to making concessions. Address emotional state created by lay off and begin to redefine the experience. Evaluate your job search readiness and decide to put some space between job loss and job search if need be.   

Goals & Tasks for Phase Two: Begin the journey.

Refine job search skills by attending webinars that inform on topics such as Networking, Interviewing, AI and Your Job Search, and LinkedIn (to name a few). Update your LinkedIn profile. Create a target list of companies for the purpose of networking. Create profiles for various job search sites. Consider upskilling and/or reskilling when necessary. Find a Job Search Buddy.

Goals for Phase Three: Ramp it up.

Respond to job postings and seek out referrals. Attend networking events. Make on average two new contacts a week through networking. Schedule exploratory conversations and remember to ask for referrals. Leverage LinkedIn for contacts. Meet with your Job Search Buddy.

Job search like any other “job” involves a series of tasks that must be attended to in order to drive progress.

Reminders!

• Align your tasks to designated days of the week alongside specific times. It is recommended that you use the daylight hours for networking and that activities such as responding to job postings be reserved for late afternoon hours.

• Maintain a balance in your schedule. Job search should not be a 40 hour a week activity. Schedule time for family, hobbies and social connections and most importantly, invest in self-care.

• Find your source of joy, and make sure it is listed on the “to do” list for the week. Fuel for the soul is fuel needed to maintain fortitude. So often the job seeker is driven to persist without refuge. This is a formula for burnout. So, take the time to give yourself time off from job search.

Finally, remember that rejection is all part of the journey towards that “Yes, you’re hired” moment.  When you experience a "No," it tests your personal strength and confidence. Understandable! It is also your moment to re-commit to the journey, and to learn and grow from each interview.

Decide to believe in yourself and stay focused on your goals.  Your self-talk in such a moment is the most powerful tool you have to maintain the right mindset for what may be a prolonged job search. Adjust your self-talk to an "I can do this" attitude and reignite your job search with more determination than even before. You’ve got this!