Losing your job is always a challenging experience, but sadly, it can happen to anyone at any time. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of April 2021, the unemployment rate was 6.1%, with 9.8 million people out of work. With unemployment so high and job competition fierce, it’s important to make sure you are prepared for bouncing back from a long-term layoff.
While the overall unemployment rate has decreased since the height of the pandemic, many individuals still have yet to find employment. There are also additional factors that are affecting the job market at this time. Major layoffs at Twitter, Meta, and other technology companies have led to a ripple effect across industries with more layoffs announced each quarter. Understanding how to align yourself for job opportunities is more important than ever. As the economy struggles, these poor market conditions can be expected to continue.
This new job market can be incredibly challenging for those who have experienced a long-term layoff. However, with the right approach and mindset, getting back on track and finding new career opportunities is possible. Capstone’s professional resume writers are dedicated to helping job seekers overcome the challenges of a long-term layoff. Their team of certified resume-writing experts helps countless individuals find success in their job search every month.
Here are our resume tips and strategies to help you bounce back from a long-term layoff and return to career success.
How Long-Term Layoffs Can Be Detrimental To Your Career
Long-term layoffs can have a significant impact on your career trajectory. Economic downturns and fluctuations in the business landscape can lead to downsizing and layoffs, particularly in specific industries. For example, in recent years, major corporations like Sears, Toys R Us, and General Electric have experienced mass layoffs due to various economic factors.
The number of job cuts announced by US-based employers in April 2023 was 66,995, a staggering 176% increase from the previous year’s 24,286. While this number did represent a 25% decrease from the number of cuts announced in March, it is still concerning that job cuts have been consistently higher than the corresponding month one year earlier for the fourth consecutive month this year. These numbers highlight the ongoing challenges many job seekers face in the current job market, particularly those who have experienced long-term layoffs.
The impact of long-term layoffs goes beyond just the immediate loss of income and benefits. It can also result in a gap in your employment history, raising red flags for potential employers. Prolonged unemployment can lead to a loss of confidence and motivation, making it even more challenging to secure new job opportunities later. This is especially true for mid-level professionals who have limited work experience and networks in comparison with those who have been working for decades.
It’s essential to recognize that long-term layoffs do not reflect your skills or professional value, though. They are often the result of more significant economic and industry trends. Understanding the impact of long-term layoffs and taking steps to mitigate their effects, meanwhile, can position your professional resume for success in your job search and career advancement.
How to Get Recruiters and Hiring Managers’ Attention with Your Brand, Attributes, and Approach to Your Work
In a highly competitive job market, it’s essential to stand out from the crowd to catch the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. One way to do this is by using your professional resume to cultivate your personal brand and highlight your unique attributes and approach to your work.
Your personal brand is your professional identity—your unique selling proposition. It’s what sets you apart from other candidates and makes you memorable. Identify your strengths, skills, accomplishments, and values to develop a strong brand.
Next, highlight your approach to your work and the impact you had in previous roles. Showcase how you’ve approached challenges in the past, what strategies you’ve used, and how they led to successful outcomes. Use specific examples and metrics within your resume to quantify your impact and demonstrate your value.
By investing in your personal brand and approach to your work, you can set yourself apart from other candidates and position yourself for success in your job search and career advancement. This shows that you’re committed to continuous learning and improvement and are a valuable asset to any organization.
Writing a Professional Resume to Address a Long-Term Layoff
Landing your dream job after experiencing a long-term layoff may seem daunting, but a well-crafted professional resume can make all the difference. When you are creating your resume, though, it’s essential to address the time gap and explain how you’ve used that time to improve yourself. Here’s how to write a professional resume to address a long term layoff.
First, employers want to see that you have remained active during your time off. So, highlight any volunteer work, freelance work, or side projects you’ve undertaken to stay productive. These side projects can help demonstrate your work ethic and your values. Remember you don’t just want to find a job, you want to find a position that is a good cultural fit for you.
We cover finding a cultural fit for your next position more in depth in our recent article, Building a Good Cultural Fit With Your Resume.
Second, it’s important to demonstrate your continued professional development by highlighting any relevant courses or certifications you’ve completed. Upskilling is one of the most important career trends that job seekers should be utilized to gain access to better career opportunities. Continuing your education during a long term layoff will help better position you to find job opportunities when you begin your job search.
Finally, you should ensure that you write your resume in a way that is optimized for automated resume software and hiring managers. Almost any position that you apply for with your resume will need to get through two rounds. Typically the first round is the Automated Tracking Software (ATS) which scans your resume for keywords. Only after passing this round will your resume make it to a hiring manager.
We cover the 2 strategies on how to write an optimized professional resume in another recent blog.
Contact the Certified Resume Writers at Capstone for More Resume Writing Assistance
If you still do not feel confident writing a professional resume after a long term layoff don’t worry! Our professional resume writers can help write a resume that will get you hired.
Capstone Resume Services go beyond just highlighting your achievements. We work with you to build a narrative that tells your story and shows how your past experiences have prepared you for your next opportunity. Your dedicated resume writer will help you craft a resume that showcases your unique attributes, approach to work, and overall brand, all while addressing the time gap in your work history.
Don’t let a long-term layoff hold you back from achieving your goals.
Request a free resume consultation from Capstone Resume Services today and take the first step toward landing your dream job.
