Every now and then, CIMA will share opinions and expertise from the Board on important topics facing our Industry. Since the beginning of the year, there have been over 50,000 professionals laid off nationwide. We hope these Words of Wisdom, even if they help just 1 CIMA member, can be useful if you or someone you know has been affected.

CIMA's Marketing Director - Dan Prescott

"Don't over stress yourself by looking at all of the job boards everyday. I personally have found Linkedin has far more qualified leads on open roles and is easier to get intel on the next position so I don't stray too much into other bulk posting locations. Don't burn yourself out sitting looking for positions constantly. Try to get four resumes submitted per day or three and take time for yourself. Explore companies and roles you would not normally look at as this is a time to reinvent yourself. I have been using the time in between recruiter calls and first round interviews to help friends with handyman tasks so that way when I become employed full time again all of my friends who had projects on their checklist will benefit from a bit of my down time. LOL.

Lastly, FLEX your network. People who know you know your work ethic and will recommend you internally. A strong network is vital to a new position.

Chin up you got this!"

CIMA’s VP Membership – Kristina Lutz

“This is the time to lean on your network and THEIR network!  Look at LinkedIn first and second connections at companies that interest you.  Don’t be afraid to ask a connection if they can introduce you to a key player at those companies.  If they don’t know the person well enough, they will tell you.  You won’t know if you don’t ask!  Provide a sentence or two to your connection about you and why you are interested - make it frictionless for folks to help you."

CIMA's Vice President of Personnel – Lisa Medina

Losing a job can be one of the most devastating and humiliating experiences in life. There are many reasons you can get pink slipped. Uncertainty will replace your normal routine. The negative question of what's next stays heavy on your mind. This is the time to start looking for a new job. Get your resume polished. Finding a job is a full time job. Keep a list of all the companies you contact. Keep notes, names, and dates of your meetings.  And most important, follow up. 

Talk to your network, use LinkedIn and other resources. Fine tune some old expertise and learn new skills. Meet with as many potential employers as possible.  You may feel like it is the end of the world. It's not. Most times the best job for you is just right up ahead. All the best people in the industry will agree that getting fired was the BEST THING that could have ever happened! It is all a part of the stepping stones of success.  

CIMA’s President – Gage Barry

“First steps when it happens – I’ve (un)luckily been a part of 2 gut-retching layoffs in my career. They can be especially emotional when you place too much of your identity in a role that is suddenly taken away. This can happen when you’re passionate about your company or role, or have simply spent a long time at one place. Once you've been through it once or twice you can see the warning signs, or at least prepare by networking during the good times. “The best time to look for a new job, is when you have a job.”

It’s important to constantly be documenting your skills and accomplishments. No one else will ever vouch for you better than yourself. I’ve seen people say as often as monthly or quarterly to make updates to your Resume and LinkedIn with measurable results of improvements you’ve made. When enough time has passed, it is incredible how much you may one day look back and consider a rough patch as a blessing in disguise. “

A final checklist of tips for job searching.

• Create a resume that highlights your skills and experience
• Stay organized and manage a list of job postings
• Follow up with a thank you after the interview
• Reach out to industry contacts