Christina Pekalla, CSPO, CSM, SAFe POPM’s Post

25 months ago I was laid off. I went through an emotional roller coaster🎢 but became a stronger person on the other side. This quarter alone, 257,254 jobs were eliminated. (Forbes) My heart goes out to those who were let go ❤️🩹 Here are 25 things I know now that I wish I knew then: 1/ You will mourn. 2/ You are not alone. 3/ You are NOT your job. 4/ Your family still loves you. 5/ Take time to pause if you can. 6/ You will question who you are. 7/ This is a gift, not a punishment. 8/ Don’t come across as desperate. 9/ Stay positive  and  optimistic. 10/ Be picky on what to do next. 11/ Be kind to yourself always. 12/ Stage an epic comeback. 13/ There will be highs and lows. 14/ Understand your financial runway. 15/ Write the next chapter with excitement. 16/ When one door closes, another will open. 17/ Time to re-evaluate what matters to you. 18/ Breakthroughs comes from breakdowns. 19/ You will find a place that values you. 20/ You will feel resentment, but it’s ok. 21/ Don’t jump into another job if you can. 22/ Connect with people without any agenda. 23/ Find those who’ve faced the same  issues. 24/ Two years later, you will be glad it happened. 25/ Build your personal brand, better late than never. Here's to all those who are in transition ✊🏽 You will find a way. "In order for something to be born, something has to die." Philip Seymour Hoffman Make your mark, live your legend 🤘🏽 P.S. Share this to help someone in your network who's been laid off! ♻️ ___ If you need clarity, maybe I can help: https://lnkd.in/eV9JV7Vx

I was laid off from my full-time job at an agency seven months ago, a place I had anticipated being with for years. I truly enjoyed the work I was doing and felt there was so much more to explore. It was devastating when my time there was unexpectedly cut short. During this period, I experienced a lot of self-doubt. I found myself comparing my professional journey to others', questioning if I was only valued for my personality, and replaying moments where I had been my most authentic self, wondering if I had revealed too much. Regrettably, I blamed myself for the layoff and became determined to dissect every aspect of my performance at work, vowing never to repeat any perceived mistakes. As I navigated through various contracted roles, I tried hard not to form deep connections, laugh too much, express too much empathy, or openly discuss my views on humanity. However, I soon realized that I was allowing these corporate environments to chip away at my soul. I was letting an unseen force strip away the qualities that make me valuable and unique. I was starting to hide the essence of who I am—the person who moved to Los Angeles at 21 with only $400, who drove a PT Cruiser from Northern California with the check engine light on, determined to make it big in the City of Angels, the person who changed careers at 28, and the person who has continually evolved through life's phases. I'm not sure where you are in your professional journey, but I urge you not to allow this economy or these corporations to diminish the beauty that resides within you. We are far more than our job titles, salaries, or the corporate structures we navigate. I believe that each of us has something incredible waiting for us, and although it may take time to reach that destination, one day we will achieve our heart's desires without sacrificing our true selves to attain them. 😉

🌟 Watching Careers Take Flight: A Recruiter's Joy 🌟 As a recruiter, my job is so much more than matching candidates with opportunities. It's about planting seeds of potential and watching them grow. 🌱 One of the most fulfilling parts of my work is seeing someone I’ve placed in a junior role not just succeed—but thrive, grow, and rise within their organization. 🚀 Their progress isn't just a reflection of their hard work; it’s a testament to the power of finding the right fit, both for the person and the company. When I see someone I believed in become a leader, a mentor, or a changemaker in their organization, I’m reminded of why I love what I do. It’s not about closing roles—it’s about opening doors and building futures. To every candidate who has trusted me to be part of your journey: thank you for inspiring me every day. 💡 And to the companies who invest in nurturing their talent: thank you for creating spaces where people can grow. Here’s to many more success stories, one connection at a time. 🤝✨

The corporate job search landscape has evolved significantly over the past 15 years, presenting both candidates and employers with a wealth of new tools. It's been a challenging period for many of my long-term colleagues recently, and witnessing their struggles has been tough. Leaving Slalom allowed me to take a few months off, a rare occurrence for me. This break was invaluable in clarifying my next career move and ensuring I could bring substantial value to an organization that valued its employees and had a clear vision. After deliberation, I had three diverse job offers lined up, marking a positive step post my extended break. Unfortunately, a mere three days before my start date of October 14th, the company I choose underwent a RIF, leading to the rescinding of my offer before I even began. The other two opportunities I had considered were also no longer available. Disappointing turn of events, to say the least. Now, I am restarting my search, eager to apply my skills, network, and experience to a company that prioritizes its people, aims to make a difference for its customers, and upholds integrity for long-term success. I am confident that the right company, one that aligns with my values and goals, is out there, and I look forward to our potential collaboration.

when you leave and job and start a new position for a different company you always ask yourself will this be the same as what I'm leaving? Have I made the right decisions? well I can say with confidence that joining MJ Quinn was the best thing I have done. a company that really knows how to look after the staff. a management team that listens and doesn't look down on people because of the position they are in a company that understands the business it's in and wants to succeed I have never been made to feel so welcome in a new job as what I have been here. The company wants people to succeed as one and not just the managers take the credit when things have gone well. I've had more Thankyous and been shown more appreciation in 1 month then what i had in 3.5 years. my thoughts and opinions are heard. im looked upon and not down on don't be scared to try something new you just never know how happy you'll be because of it. #appreciate #greatcompany #goingplaces #lookingforward

It's no secret that recruiting can be a grind - 100%. But at Coastal Recruiting we work smarter, so a lot of that weight is off the individuals and instead on the systems we've built (which can handle it!). Allowing us to serve at our highest impact. This leads to more levity, more energy and more creativity in our day to day. And as we've seen - more RESULTS for our founders 💞 . Yes, please! When you pick an agency to partner with - it's not a SaaS product - it's a team of humans. Trust me - you're going to want to pick the humans who aren't burnt out and pushing a boulder up a hill everyday. Go with the team who's using a fulcrum.

Like it or not, the end of the year is closing in fast... So, what’s your plan to keep your team moving through winter and into spring? I’m Brandon McGill, The Civil Recruiter, and here’s the reality: Now’s the time to get ahead of the game. Holidays are around the corner—people take off, things slow down, and before you know it, you’re scrambling to fill gaps. But here’s the thing: This is the perfect moment to start locking in top talent for Q1 before your competitors even get a chance. If you want to grow your company in the new year, start those conversations NOW. Be proactive, get the right people lined up, and secure the best talent while everyone else is still playing catch-up. Waiting until January is a losing strategy—by then, the best candidates are already off the market. Let’s connect and get your hiring game plan in motion now, before the rush. The best time to find top talent is before everyone else starts looking.

Getting fired was tough, but it was one of the best things for my career. Hear me out. I had poured my heart into my work, put in the long hours, and believed I was making a difference. But one day, the unexpected happened, they let me go. At first, I felt defeated. It was a difficult moment, and I questioned my value. But after some reflection, I realized this was a turning point. Getting fired wasn’t the end; it was a wake-up call. While some companies may not recognize your worth, others out there do. There are companies that value their employees, pay well, offer great benefits, a path to grow, and foster a true sense of belonging. I know it to be true, I WORK AT ONE OF THOSE ❤️ 🚀 So, to anyone feeling stuck or undervalued in their job, don’t settle and take my recommendation - there's a better way. Keep searching for that place where your contributions are recognized, where you’re valued, and where you’ll grow. You deserve that, and I know it’s out there. 💪 . . . . . . . #CareerGrowth #CustomerSuccess #KnowYourWorth #CSM #Opportunities #Resilience #ClientSuccess

Clueless about what I was going to do next, I resigned from a career of 10+ years. I just knew I didn’t want to continue doing what I was doing. On a scale of 1 to 10, clarity for me was a big fat ZERO.   Was I afraid? Of course, I was. I feared I wouldn’t be able to find something I wanted to do.   I went through this discovering.   ➝ unpacked the emotions I had buried inside me associated with my resignation.   ➝ relinquished the sense of failure I felt and realized my past does not define me.   ➝ did the work to discover what else I could do as I continue my career journey.   I gained clarity and found a career that led me to where I am today.   Doing work I enjoy. Clarity doesn’t just materialize out of thin air. Discovery is a process I went through, and I take my clients through. It involves taking action to get the clarity you’re looking for.