Simply Irene

In this post, I’m sharing the exact plan I used to get a job in under 60 days after being laid off. No fluff. No panic applying. Just a clear, sustainable system that worked in one of the worst job markets we’ve seen in years.

This approach works whether you’re Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X, or a Boomer still in the workforce. The tools and mindset are universal.

The Day I Knew I Was Getting Laid Off

On the morning of August 28, a Thursday, the HR manager at my company asked to speak with me at 4:15 p.m. I was scheduled to leave at 4:30 and had already planned a long weekend to visit my daughter upstate.

If HR ever schedules a meeting with you right before the end of the day or weekend, there’s about a 95% chance you’re being let go. Good news doesn’t come at 4:15 on a Friday.

Sure enough, we had a brief ten-minute conversation. I was told I was being laid off due to restructuring.

And honestly? I wasn’t upset.

I hated that job. It had become a role of survival, not growth. One of the worst environments I’ve ever worked in. So I calmly logged out, said goodbye to my teammates on Microsoft Teams, packed up my things, and walked out.

No tears. No drama.

I had an excellent weekend.

Why I Didn’t Start Job Searching Right Away

After the layoff, I did post on LinkedIn to let people know my time at the company had ended.

And then—I stopped.

I didn’t panic apply. I didn’t spiral. I didn’t immediately label myself as “unemployed.”

Instead, I took 11 intentional days.

Not days of depression.
Not days of fear.
Days of acceptance.

I cooked. I walked through my neighborhood and local parks. I rearranged my home. I played video games. I rested.

Because when a job ends, you don’t just lose a paycheck—you lose routine, identity, and often your social structure. You have to consciously replace that space with something grounding before you jump back in.

Step One: I Started With a Notebook, Not a Resume

When I was ready to start my job search on September 8, I didn’t open Word or Google Docs.

I opened a notebook.

I asked myself one question:

What value do I bring into every space I work in?

Not job titles.
Not responsibilities.
Impact.

Here’s what came up consistently:

• I create structure in chaos
• I build strong relationships
• I help teams run smoothly
• I give executives their time back
• I solve problems quickly without needing the spotlight

Those are my strengths. Those are my gifts.

I needed to remember that before I applied anywhere—because I wasn’t starting over. I was starting from experience.

Step Two: Resume and LinkedIn Alignment

Once I was grounded in my value, I updated my resume to reflect what employers actually look for:

• Short
• Clear
• Impact-driven
• Quantified results

Then I updated my LinkedIn to match.

LinkedIn isn’t just a digital resume—it’s a story:

• Who I am
• How I help
• Who I work best with

I posted occasionally—not oversharing, just enough to “turn the lights on” so people knew I was active and visible.

My Weekly Job Search Schedule (3–4 Hours a Day)

I did not treat job searching like a full-time job. With systems in place, it doesn’t need to be.

Here’s exactly how I structured my week:

Mondays: Job Boards

I applied through:

• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• ZipRecruiter
• Google Search (this one changed everything)

Google surfaced jobs I never saw on job boards—and the role I ultimately accepted came from Google search.

I applied intentionally. No endless scrolling. No soul-sucking roles.

Tuesdays: Company Career Pages

I created a list of companies I actually wanted to work for and checked their career pages weekly.

Many companies never post on job boards. You have to go directly to them.

I started with about 15 companies and built the list to 30+ over time.

Wednesdays: City and State Jobs

I searched only local government roles:

• NYC jobs
• New York State jobs

There were plenty of executive assistant and operations roles posted regularly, and I landed interviews through this channel as well.

Thursdays: Staffing Agencies

I applied directly through agency websites.

If possible, I followed up with a phone call:

“I just applied for this role and believe I’d be a great fit. Is there someone I could speak with about it?”

That worked about one-third of the time—and that’s a solid return.

Fridays: Networking

I networked without asking for jobs.

No “Can you help me?”
No “Can you pass my resume?”

I focused on relationships—checking in, offering help, sharing resources.

Referrals matter. A lot.

Interviews: Preparation Is Non-Negotiable

For every interview, I:

• Researched the company deeply
• Read press releases and news
• Studied mission and values
• Learned who I was meeting with

When asked, “What do you know about us?” I had real answers.

That matters.

The Thank You Letter That Changed Everything

After every interview, I sent a personalized thank you email:

• Why I was excited about the role
• What we discussed
• How my skills aligned

Three employers complimented me on it. One said it was the best thank you letter they’d ever received.

It doesn’t just show interest—it shows you can write. And that alone sets you apart.

My Results (The Numbers)

Here’s how it played out:

• 251 applications submitted
• 18 interviews
• 8 companies
• 4 final rounds
• 2 offers
• 1 accepted role

On November 3, I walked into my new job—56 days after starting my search.

It wasn’t the fastest offer.
It wasn’t the first offer.

It was the right one.

Why This Worked

I didn’t rush.
I didn’t act desperate.
I stayed consistent.
I prioritized quality over volume.

And I still lived my life—decorated my apartment, cooked, walked, rested, created content.

You don’t have to suffer to find a job.

If You’re Job Searching Right Now

Breathe.

You are not too old.
You are not invisible.
You are not unskilled.

Your value doesn’t disappear because you lost a job.

Try this process. Adapt it to your market. Track your results.

And if you need help, templates, or walkthroughs—I’ve shared them on my site and in related videos.

You’re not alone in this.

-Irene