30 days to the job you love - Day 3

With 200,000+ tech layoffs in 2023 and more being let go in early 2024, it is easy to get discouraged. Personally, I have many friends who were and are affected. For those whom I worked with, I am grateful that our paths crossed.

For 30 days, I will post a tip each day to encourage you and give you some suggestions on how to stay motivated during your job search.

Day 3

Dealing with a job loss is almost like facing a storm. In Houston, we prepare for hurricanes yearly. Ask anyone who has prepared for a hurricane what you should do, and they will tell you a few things consistently. First, you should board up your windows. Second, you need to prepare your essentials, such as water, food, medicines, flashlights, full tank of gas, etc.

Consider following these two steps to stay strong, grounded, and persevere through the stormy weather.

Step 1: Avoid unproductive conversations. Be careful whom you talk to. Only talk to people who will encourage you and lift you up. Limit your social media consumption or consider freezing up your social media accounts for a while. When we go through the storms of our life, our senses and exposure to the social world are like the windows while our thoughts and feelings are to be protected from the outside turbulence. Sometimes, it's better to close our windows, so we can remain calm, stay strong and be grounded.

Step 2: Review your saving, income, and expenses. Plan out your finances for the next 3, 6, or 12 months, so that you don’t have to compromise your job search. It may take a few months to find a new job. Evaluate your options, prioritize the absolute essentials that your family must have during this stormy weather and figure out what can be cut back.

This storm shall pass. I am confident that not only you will survive this storm, but you will come out of it stronger.

“I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship.” – Louisa May Alcott