The tech industry has been hit especially hard, reportedly seeing the highest layoff levels since 2000. As layoffs continue and hiring cools in many industries, returning to work for some is becoming increasingly difficult.

The Department of Labor reports 826k unemployed workers remained out of work from 3.5 to 6 months in December. This was a dramatic 36% increase from April of 2022.

If you find yourself in a position of seeking new employment, here are some things to keep in mind in the current economy:

• Talent supply is increasing while hiring demand is decreasing, as a result US wages are expected to fall back to pre-pandemic levels over the next few months.
• Make sure that your resume is up to date and enriched with keywords relevant to your skillset. Employers in some industries are flooded with applies and are relying on search strings to quickly identify qualified talent.
• Be prepared to broaden your job search outside of your industry. Those in technology and talent acquisition may find far less opportunities available and more talent applying for those positions than other industries.
• Be prepared for a longer than usual return to work and to apply to more positions than usual to land a new role.
• Remain open to contract and contract to hire roles as employers may be cautious to permanent hires over the next few months.

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, Trillium Accounting and Finance, and Trillium Professional. With approximately 100 offices nationwide and nearly 400 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a 2022 winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.

1. Show your staff respect and professional courtesy. Whenever possible, a layoff should be communicated in a face to face setting. Sending out a company wide email can come across as insensitive, cause speculations, and disrupt the entire workforce. Conducting an in person meeting can allow for some questions and answers, shows your employees that you share in their concerns, and can eliminate a lot of speculation and rumors in the workplace. Be prepared for a wide range of emotions and responses and understand that you may not be able to provide answers to all of their questions.

2. Be a strong communicator. Make sure that your management team has clear boundaries about what information is being shared and what must remain confidential. Having pieces of information released sporadically can cause additional emotions for your staff and cause larger issues. Set a clear and concise understanding of what information is public and be prepared to comment on only those topics during meetings, staff inquiries, etc. Make sure to communicate any updates or lack there of with your staff regularly. Employees will have a better comfort level if they are aware of what changes and developments are occurring as they happen without having to seek out information.

3. Be honest. While you may not be able to share certain details about the state of the company, business projections, or a specific individual’s future; there is always some information that you can share. If you anticipate further layoffs in the future, avoid denying it to your staff. If you have a clear idea of how many positions may be affected, be honest and upfront.

4. Offer solutions. One of the best ways to show professional courtesy to your staff members during this difficult time is to offer them some solutions. If you are aware of job opportunities in a different location, division, or department that may be viable alternatives for staff that is effected by the layoff, share the information. Do you have a staffing partner? Contact them! Many staffing agencies are industry specialized and would love an opportunity to come meet with those who are being effected and possibly provide future career opportunities. Be as flexible as possible including allowing employees to make interview arrangements during the day.

Maintaining a productive and respectful workplace is essential for any business to continue to move forward. Creating an environment that includes chaos, rumors, and gossip will work against you in the long run. While having these frank conversations is never easy, the alternative is most certainly worse.

Are you a stand out professional, technical professional, driver, or skilled worker seeking contingent, temporary, or long term career opportunities?  Visit our job board  for more information!  Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professionals and skilled workers? Contact us today!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

Losing a job, whether it was your dream career or a dead end job can be devastating blow to your emotions. It’s important to process it and move on so you aren’t dragging the excess baggage to your next position. Here are some great starting points.

• Keep it private at first. The anger, hurt, and depression that may come directly following the layoff can be difficult to deal with. Speaking negativity towards your former employer or co-workers can reflect poorly on you. Until you have come to grips with the change, it’s best to keep the news to those you are closest to and can entrust not to gossip outwardly.
• Grieve the loss. Losing the day to day friendships and relationships with co-workers and clients can be difficult to deal with. Be sure to take time for yourself to deal with all of the losses that come with the layoff. Avoid the temptation to vent or rant to these audiences as it can have a negative impact on your personal reputation and future career endeavors.
• Find the positives. In upcoming interviews you’ll need to be able to speak about your layoff without sounding angry or trashing your former employer. Determine the positives from the situation. Does this allow you to find a career with more advancement opportunities? Are you looking forward to a shorter daily commute? Highlight the growth and experiences that you gained during this employment and put your emphasis on these areas.
• Prepare yourself. Now is a great time to cut back on unnecessary expenses. Cutting back early on will better prepare you to handle your finances and not jump into another position just to make ends meet. Often times these are expenses that you can avoid even after taking a new position.
• Do your research. Take some time to determine what you liked most about your previous positions and what you’d like to avoid in future careers. Make a list and tailor your career search around these. Make a list of your greatest professional accomplishments. Be sure to highlight these on your updated resume.
• Seek Professional Assistance. Become familiar with the companies in your area. Who offers the best compensation and benefits? Who has a reputation for being a great employer? Who’s business initiatives best align with your career ambitions? Partnering with a staffing firm or executive recruiter can provide you with great insight to these areas and help you find an organization that best suits your future goals. They can also assist you with resume and interviewing tips.
• Notify your network. Do you have a Linked-In profile? Now would be a great time to update your profile and let your network know you’re seeking your next career. Speak to others who are familiar with your work and see if they have any career recommendations for you.
• Remain confident. It often takes time to land a new position. Avoid letting your frustration show through in interviews and correspondence with others. Now is a great time to show others how well you can deal with pressure.

Dealing with a layoff is sure to be difficult. A great way to improve your likelihood of finding a new career quickly is to remain positive and confident in your skills and accomplishments. If you are struggling to locate a career that is aligned with your goals and ambitions, consider speaking to others in your network or contact an industry specialized staffing firm.

Are you a stand out professional or skilled worker seeking contingent, temporary, or long term career opportunities?  Visit our job seekers section for more information!  Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professionals and skilled workers? Contact us today!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.