<p>This September, I heard the words that no one wants to hear: "You've been <a href="https://hbr.org/2020/05/youve-been-furloughed-now-what" target="_blank">furloughed</a>." I felt the numbness, confusion, and hopelessness that many humans across the world have experienced in the past several months. While I always knew that being furloughed or <a data-linked-post="2645785830" href="https://www.xonecole.com/what-to-do-when-you-get-laid-off/" target="_blank">laid off</a> was a possibility, I couldn't have prepared for what it felt like to <a data-linked-post="2638991163" href="https://www.xonecole.com/i-got-fired-its-ok/" target="_blank">lose my job</a>. However, in October, I heard the words that everyone wants to hear: "You're <a data-linked-post="2500794557" href="https://www.xonecole.com/mashables-tracey-edouard-teaches-us-her-best-kept-secret-to-getting-hired/" target="_blank">hired</a>!" Not only was I hired, but I nearly doubled my salary... in a pandemic… exactly one month after I had been furloughed. </p><p>The job hunt wasn't easy, but I learned so much along the way and hope that my experience can help others who are dealing with the same fate.</p>
<p><em>Featured image by Shutterstock</em><br/></p>
I started by changing my mindset.
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMjg3NzgwMy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMjA2NDQwM30.ygzqdZQ06Bj4urIb-1d9B8pgPAloGZglq251PJIpmMY/img.jpg?width=980" id="aa1ad" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="85b12bd4fc6a005b1d2447811c7e90d0" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="black-woman-sitting-on-steps-confident" />Shutterstock
<p>Being furloughed or laid off during a time when <a href="https://www.xonecole.com/thrive-as-job-seeker-in-todays-market/" data-linked-post="2645622826" target="_blank">the job market</a> has been flipped upside down is a nerve-racking experience. When I heard the news, I knew I had two choices: I could either wallow in my <a href="https://www.xonecole.com/michelle-obama-imposter-syndrome/" data-linked-post="2644936962" target="_blank">self-doubt</a>, or I could channel all of my newly found energy and free time into <a href="https://www.xonecole.com/how-to-keep-your-peace-when-job-hunting-becomes-stressful/" data-linked-post="2500800192" target="_blank">finding a new job</a> and advancing my career. </p><h5>I instantly changed my mindset from viewing the furlough as an L to thinking of it as a chance to level up. </h5><p>I know <a href="https://www.xonecole.com/positive-speaking-30-days/" data-linked-post="2549960663" target="_blank">positive thinking</a> didn't land me my job, but it did change the way I interacted with interviewers. I believe the genuine and positive energy I brought to each conversation increased my chances of landing the job.</p>I invested in professional career services.
<p>That's right, <em>invest.</em> Spending extra money after being furloughed was not the easiest decision to make, but I knew it would be an important investment in my future. I am an advocate for <a href="https://www.xonecole.com/increase-your-visibility-on-linkedin/" data-linked-post="2645376474" target="_blank">LinkedIn premium</a>, so one of the first things I did was reactivate my subscription. I also believe that a professional resume writer can take you very far. There is a lot of conflicting information out there about <a href="https://www.xonecole.com/tips-to-step-up-resume-game/" data-linked-post="2639376052" target="_blank">resumes</a>. Should my resume be one page or two? Is a PDF better than a Word document? How can I beat the ATS system? I left these questions and more to my trusted resume writer who I have been working with for the past three years. Before getting my resume professionally spruced up, I received interviews with 10% of the companies I applied to; after my resume reset, I landed <a href="https://www.xonecole.com/job-interview-ask-questions/" data-linked-post="2640166470" target="_blank">job interviews</a> for 80% of the roles I applied to.</p><div class="ad-tag">
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I networked like never before.
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMDE4NDEwMS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNDUwMzc2MX0.k6PjT3Y8KNTGHIm-b_XtaR_i7nzgk_JAmIgAkEU9LV0/img.jpg?width=980" id="f5864" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8122b1a37bf493a394cc104a69d42f3a" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="black-woman-talking-smile" />Shutterstock
<p>As an <a href="https://www.xonecole.com/introvert-guide-workplace/" data-linked-post="2640985542" target="_blank">introvert</a>, this wasn't easy for me. A few hours after I was furloughed, I sent out emails to people in my network, letting them know what happened and asking them if they would be willing to connect. Every person I reached out to was more than willing to help. I also joined Slack channels like <a href="https://hireblacknow.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">#HIREBlack</a> and connected with recruiters from companies I wanted to work with. Finally, I used the <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KG8DYK1_V5rYE0QGLm5F_r-87HGKeeBTKr31DZgftp0/edit#gid=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Paying It Forward</a> worksheet to meet allies who are top execs at some of the biggest companies in the world. Although my <a href="https://www.xonecole.com/negotiate-salary-job-offer/" data-linked-post="2645472729" target="_blank">job offer</a> didn't come from a referral, connecting with people opened up my pool of options and let me know I had a safety net to fall back on. </p>I became comfortable with rejection.
<p>And I was rejected A LOT. But I 100% believe that every 'no' gets you closer to the perfect 'yes'. Because I knew from the beginning that <a href="https://www.xonecole.com/adrienne-bailon-job-rejection/" data-linked-post="2500786959" target="_blank">rejection</a> is a part of the process, I was able to bounce back immediately after every rejection email. Rejection stings, but getting to the interview stage at any company is an accomplishment in itself and assured me that I was on the right track and was competitive in the pool of applicants.</p><div class="ad-tag">
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I prioritized self-care.
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDQ2NDc3MC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2MTkyMzQ0MX0.v_3gMfe9xxnAvkN7OLULjhSI0HOemp1Kwfu0K4VQrF8/img.jpg?width=980" id="e7242" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="64e208fc798794ae449a5cc95d6dce2a" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="black-woman-stretching-yoga" />Shutterstock<p>During the first week of my <a href="https://www.xonecole.com/job-search-in-2020/" data-linked-post="2644813254" target="_blank">job search</a>, I made the mistake of spending 100% of my time applying, interviewing and <a href="https://www.xonecole.com/networking-events-conferences-2020/" data-linked-post="2645317927" target="_blank">networking</a>. I would wake up in the middle of the night to check LinkedIn or read <a href="https://www.xonecole.com/preparation-for-job-interview/" data-linked-post="2638932106" target="_blank">interviewing tips</a>. This was not only unhealthy but also unsustainable. I decided to treat my job search like a 9-5 work day. I blocked off time on my calendar for job searching and interviewing and I also scheduled time to do things completely unrelated to <a href="https://www.xonecole.com/brand-manager-erika-pope-interview/" data-linked-post="2645885714" target="_blank">finding a new position</a>. I focused on getting enough sleep, doing something that made me happy each day, and meditating to calm my frazzled nerves. </p><h5>Taking care of my mind and body allowed me to be more present and deliberate during the times dedicated to the job search.</h5><p>I want to be clear, my job search wasn't perfect. I low-balled myself, I missed emails, I didn't rely on my support system as much as I could have. But because I invested in myself and my network, I was able to find a company and <a href="https://www.xonecole.com/5-ways-to-get-past-job-rejection/" data-linked-post="2500617475" target="_blank">hiring manager</a> that believe in diversity, equity and inclusion. </p><p>Ultimately, being furloughed was a blessing in disguise for me. It forced me <a href="https://www.xonecole.com/passion-over-paycheck-why-i-quit-my-job-at-30-to-start-living/" data-linked-post="2585326839" target="_blank">out of my comfort zone</a> and showed me that greater things are available and achievable. If you've been furloughed or laid off, I hope my journey inspires you to not give up and know that the next big thing for you is right around the corner. </p>
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