How to communicate with people that you're finding a new job?

Question

After being “counselled out”, I have 2 months left to find a new job. I would like to leverage people around me (friends & headhunters) to find suitable opportunities.

However, to avoid the concern that I'm let go due to underperformance, I'm trying to think of smart ways to frame that I'm “open to explore new opportunities” instead of “urgently want a job”.

It just sounds a bit weird wanting to switch job during such a bad economic timing and only 1 year experience with the firm.

Any tips on this please? What would be a good balance between maximizing networks to land a job vs. sounding desperate?

Answer 1

Hi there,

Sorry to hear about the situation.

First of all, you need to change your own perception of the situation. That will then make it natural to communicate it the right way also to the people around you.

If you focus on having been fired, then that's how it's going to come out.

I would recommend you take some time to reflect on what sort of career / job you'd aspire to. What is it that you've always wanted to do and now can try? Being laid off can actually turn into an opportunity this way for you to pivot into a new industry / job type. And when you do that and you start reaching out to people, you motivation to get a job is that you want to enter the new industry, not that you were fired from your previous job due to performance issues.

Lastly, I'd also recommend you take some time to reflect what was the root cause of these performance issues and how you could work on them. Otherwise, you're likely to come up against them once again later on.

Best of luck with all of this! I'm sure you'll find a way.

Cristian

Answer 2

First, I'm SO sorry to hear about this. It's not easy at all.

A few things you need to hear/know:

This is happening to a lot of people right now. It's their way of firing without firing (promotion criteria are tighter/tougher)
You will be just fine. You will find another job
They focused on your weaknesses. We all have them. remember your strengths
Everyone gets fired/let go at some point in their lives. In one job (not BCG) I quit before I could be let go. The place was a mess, at it wasn't my fault, but I still know the feeling…really messes with your confidence. Just know you have company!
Learn from this - what could you have done differently? Could you have invested in a coach? Gotten mentoring?

Moving forward:

Get your resume up to date (you should always have an up-to-date resume, but if you don't do it now!)
Get networking
When you speak to people do exactly what you've say “looking for the next chapter and next step”. Do not indicate you're urgently looking.
For #3, there's ways to do this, but it's not really possible to type this. Has to be a live discussion/chat about what this actually sounds like when you say/write it. Has to be live roleplay/talking it out
Please get a coach. Invest in yourself. Learn from the “mistake” of being counselled out and get the professional support you need.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I'm really sorry to hear about your situation - job transitions, especially unexpected ones, can be challenging. It's admirable that you're already thinking strategically about your next steps.

When it comes to framing your job search, focus on the learnings and growth you've gained during your time at your firm. Emphasize your readiness for a new challenge, rather than your need to find a job. Here are a few strategies:

Framing your narrative: Rather than highlighting the urgency of your job search, emphasize your desire to take on new challenges and grow your career. A potential way to phrase this could be: "After a fruitful year at my current firm, where I've gained valuable experience and skills, I'm now excited to explore new opportunities that will allow me to further leverage and expand my abilities."
Leverage your network: When reaching out to friends or colleagues, focus the conversation on your interest in a certain industry or role, and ask for their insights or if they know anyone in that space you could talk to. This way, you are asking for advice, not a job, which often feels more comfortable for both parties.
Engage with headhunters: Be open with recruiters about your situation, as they're accustomed to working with individuals in a variety of circumstances and may provide valuable advice.
Stay positive: It's natural to feel stressed under these circumstances, but try to maintain a positive and forward-looking attitude. This outlook will shine through in your interactions and can make a big difference in how others perceive your situation.

Remember, everyone's career has ups and downs, and many people have been in your shoes. It's a testament to your resilience that you're taking proactive steps to move forward. If you ever need someone to brainstorm with or want a sounding board, don't hesitate to reach out. Wishing you all the best in your job search!

Answer 4

You basically may state that you don't really want the consultant life (if you are moving out of consulting), or that you want to focus on a specific industry that is better on another consulting firm, or that the business is slow in your office and you want to make sure you are always staffed and in a firm with growth opportunities, etc.

Regarding headhunters, don't worry too much about it. You are the product they want to sell… so… you want more money, or different location, or different brand, or better career perspective, etc.

Answer 5

Dear candidate,

A) you can simply be positive and say you decide to switch jobs now or you decide to look for a new role. You do not need to give that you are counselled out and therefore have to look for a job. Despite counselled out arent you looking for a new job now or are you deciding to do a holiday? Simply put it in ways that are true and don't mention cancelled out.

B) A great way to put these for example, is to say: “ I am looking for a new role in private equity at a top quintile PE fund. My background is … I am top performer who has worked at… achieved …” .

C) if asked why you are switching you can give your own reasons: “I am switching because I want to focus on my interests in private equity and build a long-term career in this field. Now is a great time as I have spent for years as a strategy consultant, building outstanding financial models, leading growth and venture projects in new industries and having also invested alongside myself in a limited fund.”

These are examples to show that you can gladly honestly skip the negative elent and focus on your own reasons why it is great to find a job immediately. Also people who are sensitive simply know it is normal to secure income immediately and not to be forced to not have income. They should not force you to explain why switch so fast but rather when asking you can take these questions as an opportunity to excel and explain your motivations behind the new roles you are aiming for and why you are qualified. If for any reason you want to stress the asap then you can mention something small like I want to achieve this within two months (high aspiration, great achiever, responsibility).

Best regards

Answer 6

Hello,

I'm sorry to hear about your situation, I know it must be tough to navigate!

Regarding your question, it's ALL about the narrative you present! As you mentioned, you need to frame yourself as “open to exploring new opportunities” rather than “urgently want a job”. Build a strong pitch for why you are interested in X company/industry, such that it makes sense for you to switch jobs after just one year. Explain how the pivot makes sense given your broader career trajectory. Emphasize all the skills and tools you have gained in your 1 year experience at the firm.

Regarding using your networks, I think it's ok to use them maximally, to increase your chances of finding a new job! If you have resources that can help you, it makes sense to leverage them. It's all about the correct positioning and framing to convey the message.

Best of luck!