The Human Side of Unemployment

Something that has unfortunately become an increasingly common human experience is unemployment. At the time of writing this, many tech companies are experiencing layoffs, my professional network is full of people searching for new jobs in a chaotic market, and I am no exception.

Five months ago, I received the dreaded call from my manager: I was being let go from my position. While it initially felt like the end of the world, I quickly bounced back, updated my portfolio, and started networking. There was no shortage of tech-focused networking events in NYC, and after attending my first event, I discovered even more opportunities. At one point, I was averaging two events per week!

Learning from Experience

Now, to backtrack a little, this was not my first time being unemployed - heck, this wasn’t my first time being laid off! I was out of work for 6 months back in 2018, and that’s where I first discovered my love of networking. As a person who has always worked in a creative field, I had been told that networking was the most important thing when searching for a job. To be honest, I didn’t believe it at the time and didn’t really try, but in my first round of unemployment I learned just how important it really was. Not just for helping find jobs, but also to gain experience pitching yourself, and to learn about an industry that’s totally new to you. Networking is where I feel I really grew into myself as a professional.

Observations of Humanity in the Job Search

In this more recent round of unemployment, I felt much more prepared to jump into networking practices. Here are some key observations about being unemployed and tips on networking in 2025:

Support is everywhere. Whether from coworkers, family, or friends, more people are willing to help than you'd expect. You just have to be honest about what you need and willing to accept the help that's offered.

It's not all about finding a job. Sometimes the purpose of networking is simply making meaningful connections that will grow over time.

The tech community is competitive but supportive. Chances are the person you are talking to either knows someone else who is unemployed, or has been there themselves.

There's always more to learn. About your field, and always more people to learn from.

Unemployment offers perspective. It's an opportunity to see yourself outside the context of a job and reconnect with your community.

Networking Tips

Go beyond work talk. While most people at networking events are there to find work, the real point is making meaningful connections. Ask about their summer plans, weekend activities, or holiday traditions—anything that allows them to open up beyond their professional persona.

Follow up is crucial. After an event, connect and message on LinkedIn. It's the easiest way for new connections to remember you.

Take conversations offline. Share your number and suggest coffee or a walk. Once you've made a stronger connection, you can even buddy up for the next networking event.

Remember you're not alone. Even on your worst days of unemployment, there are people willing to remind you how great you're doing—you may just have to remind them of what you're going through first. People have their own lives, after all, and even your greatest allies can't be focused on you all the time.

The Bigger Picture

No matter how many tips you try to internalize, unemployment will always be extremely difficult to navigate. But it's also a reminder that we are more than just our jobs. Networking, even as work-focused as it may seem, is a great way to remember our humanity. We can all find ourselves out of work at any moment, no matter how secure we might feel in our positions. But no matter the situation, we are never alone. There are always people in similar situations, and there are always people willing to help.

A Happy Ending

After six long months, I was finally offered a new position in the field I love—yay! Now that I've found work, I often find myself reflecting on the humanity of being unemployed. It's becoming increasingly common to be laid off and out of work for six months or more, so remember to be gentle with yourself and remember the human that you are, not just the worker.

If you were unemployed recently or still are now, don't hesitate to reach out to me! I'm happy to be your hype person while you look or a friendly ear for you to vent to.