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Time to Level Up!

With the recent news out of Salesforce and Oracle, it’s easy to understand why folks affected by layoffs might feel discouraged. Not only are they leaving companies they may have called home for years, but they’re also facing the daunting prospect of job hunting while headlines scream about “AI taking over human jobs.”

Not long ago, another company I follow - let’s call it Acme - went through a similar round of layoffs. Two employees in particular (we’ll call them Jim and John) showed how mindset can make all the difference.

Jim had been at Acme for over 20 years. He was reliable, steady, and well-liked, but not exactly the standout type. When he was laid off, he decided to take some time off before even thinking about his next move. After all, he had a severance package. Didn’t he deserve a break after two decades of hard work?

John’s story was different. Though he hadn’t been at Acme as long, he’d built a strong reputation and had both technical and leadership skills. Instead of taking time off, he hit the ground running. He enrolled in classes, picked up certifications, and focused on sharpening his skills starting the very next day.

So, how did it turn out?

John was snapped up quickly by another company. His commitment to growth and his “go-get-’em” attitude made him a highly attractive candidate. Jim eventually returned to Acme but only after a six-month stretch of unemployment and financial stress. And let’s be real: six months feels a lot longer when you’re unemployed in your 50s, fighting off both bills and the shadow of age bias.

Here’s the takeaway: if you’ve been recently let go from Salesforce, Oracle, or anywhere else, don’t coast. Sure, give yourself room to breathe, but don’t wait too long to take action. Invest in yourself. Buy a course on Udemy. Learn a new skill on Trailhead (ironically part of Salesforce but hey, it’s free, so don’t look a gift horse in the mouth). Explore new topics, grow your toolkit, and stay sharp.

That way, when the next opportunity shows up, you’ll be ready to grab it with both hands and level up!

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