As a proud alumna of York University, I’ve built a career deeply rooted in community, leadership and impact. Over the past decade, I’ve worn many hats: Non-profit director, executive recruiter, board leader, and now, your Alumni Career Coach. In this article, I’m sharing some of the most common situations job seekers are navigating right now and offering my perspective on how to move through them with confidence and clarity.
Scenario 1
“I was just laid off and feel completely overwhelmed about where to even begin.”
If you’ve recently been laid off, know that you're not alone. This is increasingly common in today’s job market. It may come as a shock at first, but in time, you’ll begin to separate yourself from the business decision and recognize that it was not a reflection of your skills, experience or potential.
The first step is to get practical: Take stock of your budget and assess how much financial leeway you have in terms of savings and expenses. Knowing how many months of "breathing room" you have is important. It gives you the space to prioritize your mental and physical well-being before diving back into the job search.
Once you’ve outlined your financial timeline, choose a specific week to begin your active job search. When that time comes, the very first thing you’ll want to do before posting on LinkedIn or reaching out to your network is craft your personal brand. Focus on what your next career goal is and how you want to position yourself for that goal. (I spoke about this in more detail during a recent webinar I hosted titled Navigating the Turbulent Job Market.)
When you’re ready to re-engage, leverage your network strategically. Don’t worry, you don’t have to make a public post on LinkedIn if that doesn’t feel like you. Instead, reach out for one-on-one conversations with former colleagues, classmates, employers or mentors. Share your update and ask them about the job market in their field. These kinds of conversations can open doors and help you tap into the hidden job market.
Remember: In a hyper-competitive market, your network will be your strongest asset. Instead of burning yourself out applying to hundreds of roles daily, prioritize opportunities where you might have a connection or referral.
Scenario 2
“I’m employed but deeply unhappy in my role. I want to leave, but I’m scared to make a wrong move.”
If this thought has been weighing on you for a while, it may be time to start thinking seriously about what’s next. That doesn’t mean quitting right away, especially in this market, where there’s no guarantee of when you’ll land your next role. However, it does mean getting intentional about what the right move could look like for you.
If your current role is negatively affecting your mental, physical, or emotional well-being, that’s a sign the environment isn’t one you can thrive in. If you have the capacity to stay a little longer, use that time to be proactive: Refresh your résumé, update your LinkedIn, start networking and begin applying with focus and clarity.
Job searching while employed can feel like a second full-time job. But if you treat it with the same urgency and intention as someone who’s unemployed, you might start to see real momentum in your search.
Scenario 3
“I’ve been job searching for months with no results, and I’m starting to feel discouraged and stuck.”
As a career coach, one of the first things I look for is where your strategy might be breaking down. If you’re not landing interviews, it’s likely your résumé, cover letter or LinkedIn profile isn’t effectively communicating your value. You may need to revisit your personal brand and positioning.
If you are landing interviews but not moving past the first or second round, the issue could lie in how you're showing up during the process. You may not be clearly aligning yourself with the role, using the right keywords or articulating your skills and experiences in a way that connects the dots for hiring managers.
Scenario 4
“The job market feels so competitive—how can I actually stand out to employers?”
As a former recruiter, I’ve worked closely with hiring managers across a range of sectors. What it often comes down to is a candidate’s energy, excitement and clarity about the kind of impact they want to make.
Hiring managers no longer expect candidates to stay for 10, or even five years. What they do want is someone who will leave the organization better than they found it. Showing that you’re clear on your value, aligned with the organization’s mission and ready to contribute meaningfully will set you apart.
If you’ve been laid off and have a growing gap on your résumé, I encourage you to take on freelance projects, consulting gigs or part-time volunteer roles that help you continue to use and build your skills. This not only builds your confidence but also shows hiring managers that you’re proactive and passionate about your work.
Final Note
If you’re looking for career support, your alma mater is here for you.
- If you graduated within the last two years, you’re eligible to book one-on-one coaching sessions with the Career Centre.
- If you graduated more than two years ago, you can access up to two hours of individual coaching with the Alumni Career Coach (that’s me!).