Here's how you can stay connected and engaged in your industry during a layoff.

It is key to not wait until the layoff to start your networking. Sharing insights throughout your career builds your network of connections so that when the day comes that you need to lean on it, you have a rich connection to many folks in the industry who already value you and your contributions.

As a mentor and Top Voice in Thought Leadership, I encourage you to view a layoff not as an end, but as a strategic opportunity to reinvent your career trajectory and stay top of mind in your industry. Online networking is your powerful ally during this transition and here is 2 trails to help you out: 1. Become a Thought Leader: share your expertise, showcase your knowledge and establish yourself as a valuable resource on your field. 2. Engage with Influencers: connect with thought leaders, recruiters, and hiring managers. Engage in their content, offer thoughtful commentary, and initiate conversations to build meaningful connections. Staying active online is a powerful way to demonstrate your value and stay connected to the industry.

Networking doesn't have to start only after a layoff or when you are starting to look for a job. Sharing your thoughts and ideas and insights and opinions in your field helps establish yourself as one of the leaders in the field. This can also be amplified and capitalised on whenever it is needed during the layoff. Great connections can always lead to greater opportunities.

To stand out in your industry, leverage LinkedIn by sharing your expertise and engaging with peers. Surprisingly, 40% of users engage with content weekly. Post insights on trends, write articles, and join discussions. Supporting others' content skims mutual growth, enhancing your visibility and industry impact.

Boost your career with online learning; 72% of professionals report it enhances job performance. Explore platforms like Coursera for tech skills or Udemy for project management. This proactive approach not only sharpens your expertise but also showcases your resilience and commitment, making you a standout candidate to deferred employers.

Use this time to enhance your skills or learn new ones relevant to your industry. Numerous free or affordable online courses can help you stay current with the latest technologies and practices. This demonstrates your commitment to professional development and resilience. A proactive approach makes you a more attractive candidate to future employers.

Volunteering in your industry can boost your career. Studies show 60% of professionals find new job opportunities through volunteering. For illustration, IT experts mentoring at coding bootcamps or marketers aiding non-profits not only enhance their skills but also build invaluable connections, demonstrating industry commitment during job interviews.

Engaging in volunteer work within your industry provides a sense of purpose and keeps you connected. It allows you to apply your skills in new contexts, meet like-minded professionals, and contribute positively to organizations needing your expertise. Volunteering can also be a great talking point in interviews, showing your dedication to the industry even during downtime.

Volunteering can include mentorships, too. There are a ton of great programs that connect business professionals with those looking to break into a certain field or make a career shift (e.g., American Corporate Partners matches industry pros with military veterans and spouses as they look to secure roles in the private sector). Mentoring (and volunteering) doesn't have to be solely within your industry either. Demonstrating a willingness to help others is a positive trait in any future interview/job search.

Establishing thought leadership is key to staying engaged. For example, hosting a podcast can increase your credibility; 72% of listeners act on podcast ads. Mutate unique insights on industry trends, like AI in healthcare, and connect with peers via webinars or blogs to spark meaningful conversations and opportunities.

Keeping yourself updated with the latest trends, news, and developments in your industry is crucial during a layoff. It helps you maintain relevance, understand market shifts, and identify new opportunities. Staying informed can be achieved through various means such as reading industry publications, following thought leaders on social media, subscribing to newsletters, attending webinars or virtual conferences, and participating in online forums. This strategy ensures you remain knowledgeable and prepared for any changes that may occur in your field.

Personal branding ties in really well with thought leadership. Enhance your social media presence and share your career and industry insights. If you're ensuring you never stop learning, you should always have something to discuss. This is a great route into further work, as not only are you keeping your skills fresh by learning, discussing and posting, you're also opening your network up, giving people access to you. It's a great way to organically grow new opportunities.