👋 Hiya, job sneaker!
So, I was coaching this designer, we’ll call him Ken. Poor Ken had gotten the axe from his last gig and then vanished into the job search abyss for three whole months. No interviews. Nada. Zip.
He decided to reach out to me for help. My diagnosis? He didn't actually need coaching. He just needed to talk to someone with a pulse and a hiring budget. I knew his charm and obvious skillset would take it from there.
Ken's fatal flaw? Lone wolf syndrome. He got canned and went full hermit, silently screaming into the void of job boards. A common pitfall.
So, we employed a secret weapon: pure, unadulterated heartstring-tugging. Let's be honest, we're all suckers for a good help-me story. Doing a good deed makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside, right?
One LinkedIn post. Then, bam! A recruiter pounced. Three weeks later? Ken sent me a DM: “I got the job!” He had landed a three-month renewable contract.
The best part? They chopped the interview process in half. He was originally supposed to go four rounds, but they already had their answer after just two.
So, moral of the story? Desperation is a surprisingly effective marketing strategy. Just kidding! (Mostly.) Ask for help, people. It works.
Update: Ken is still killing it and has gotten his contract extended to a full year.
What makes this a great post?
Vulnerability: Ken openly shared his layoff experience, making him relatable to others in the same boat.
Positive Framing: While acknowledging frustration, the post quickly pivoted to resilience and problem-solving.
Growth Mindset: The post highlighted lessons learned and next steps, showcasing Ken as adaptable and reflective.
Why did the recruiter bite?
Hashtags: A mix of broad (#jobsearch, #hiring) and niche (#careertransition, #layoffheartbreak) increased visibility.
Flexibility: Being open to contract work signals adaptability, making Ken an even stronger candidate.
Availability: Recruiters love candidates who can start ASAP, contract roles especially move fast.
The door prize? If you’ve been laid off, don’t ghost the professional world. Let people know. The right person might be just a post away from helping you land your next role. Give it a shot, your future employer might be watching.
See you on the flippity flip,
✌️ Kirby