I just experienced a layoff, and I'm unsure of which direction to go into...

8 Comments

1. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJune 16,2023 at 4:49AM UTC

   YOU SAID: "I'm considering going the SHRM path."

   Can you please clarify this? SHRM is the human resources trade group/professional organization.

2. Emily ZainoJune 16,2023 at 6:02PM UTC

   Becoming SHRM certified and delving into the HR side of things more than project management with the ultimate goal of being something like an HRBP. I hope this helps clarify!

3. AnonymousJune 16,2023 at 11:11AM UTC

   SHRM certification can go into so many areas of being a business partner. TA does have areas of specialty positions that could become a niche. Project management is also interesting all on its own. Lots of roads to look into.

4. AnonymousJune 16,2023 at 5:54PM UTC

   You can get your certification and it's definitely a good thing to do while there is a downturn for HR/TA folks but have a backup plan for other work because it's very icy out there now.

5. Peggie Arvidson * Career Consultant | Adoptee Advocate | RecruiterJune 17,2023 at 1:59PM UTC

   First, I'm sorry about the layoff. that sucks and right now HR/TA teams are feeling the residual dump since so many companies are firing tons of people.

   I recommend:

   1. Take some time to reflect on what you loved and didn't about your last two or three jobs. Times when you were happy and shining and times you felt like you were slogging through primordial ooze.
   2. Ask yourself how you can get more of the shine and less of the ooze at work - does that mean the same types of roles/industry or could you do it any industry?
   3. Use your experience in TA/HR to inform your knowledge of job titles - as you know "Project Manager" can work in any industry at any level - I've even worked with companies that named their administrative schedulers Project Managers!
   4. Put together your list of wins - ways that you support the bottom line at work - i.e., how do you help a company make money or save money? Include information about scope of work - i.e., are you used to working (managing) a team of 5 direct reports or 20 who each have 5 direct reports of their own? Same with budgets, are you used to multi-billion dollar installations across 20 sites or $5mill upgrades in HQ?
   5. Find ways to quantify all that on the resume and let it inform your applications and networking calls.
   6. THIS SHOULD BE FIRST - APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT now - you've earned, your company has paid for it and you will be glad you did while your job hunting.
   7. Get excellent at describing WHY you're someone's favorite HR PM - i.e, what types of projects, what types of deadlines, etc.
   8. Think about getting a PMPI certification - it sets project managers apart from everyone using that term. That may be the clincher vs the SHRM path - although SHRM is definitely strong place as well to pursue certs.

   Good luck. Breathe. You got this.

6. Emily ZainoJune 19,2023 at 2:15PM UTC

   Peggie, I cannot say thank you enough! And rest assured that I already did 6! :D

   I sincerely appreciate this list and will consider it my homework for today.

7. Peggie Arvidson * Career Consultant | Adoptee Advocate | RecruiterJune 21,2023 at 2:45PM UTC

   Anytime - we have to stick together!

8. AnonymousJune 18,2023 at 8:01PM UTC

   What do you mean by "degree in project management"? Do you mean having a PMP Certification? I would go totally different pathway if I could and think about applying your project management skills on a different discipline such IT, construction, product management, etc. Concentrating on HR/TA might limit you due to the current economic environment but there is robust hiring for people who can do project management for IT projects like (data analytics/AI) or even think about product management that requires project management experience. I think this will provide a wider range of opportunities and growth.

   Other than that, I would think about starting your own consulting company and obtaining your own gigs until the economic environment improves. I would think about where the career growth is as well. With your HR background, you might consider focusing on care and management of senior citizens and care needed. This is a growing need due to the baby boomers retiring and seniors living longer. You might be well suited to focus on projects for seniors, a niche that will become super valuable and you might be ahead of the competition.

   With that said, good luck!