Tag: life

Recruiting Tips

So You Just Got Laid Off? Here’s What You Really Do.

Angela Malagon

First things first: breathe. Then cry, scream into a pillow, or rage-clean your kitchen. Whatever you need to do, get it out. Because tomorrow, you’re not waking up unemployed. You’re waking up unleashed.

Now, sleep. Not revenge-scroll, pass-out-at-2AM sleep. I mean actual, under-the-weighted-blanket, REM-cycle, full-body-reset kind of sleep. Your brain just got sucker-punched. It needs a nap, not a panic spiral.

Once you’re rested, start moving. Not because you’re “finally going to get fit,” but because motion helps emotion pass through. Walk the dog. Dance badly in the living room. Stretch until something cracks (hopefully a joint, not your spirit). This isn’t a makeover montage. It’s about reclaiming your body from the stress grip of capitalism.

Hydrate. I know, it’s basic. But it works. Water, not wine. (Or at least not only wine.)

Now set a rule: 3 hours max per day on job stuff. Applications. Resume tweaks. Networking emails. That’s it. The rest of the day? Off limits. Nobody’s hiring you at midnight, and LinkedIn isn’t handing out gold stars for burnout.

You’ve been conditioned to think panic = productivity. It doesn’t. Focus > frenzy. And no, sending out 87 résumés in one sitting won’t bring you faster offers. It brings carpal tunnel and existential dread.

Instead, get outside your bubble. Volunteer once a week. This isn’t charity—it’s therapy. You need to feel useful. Needed. Human. Plus, good people hang out in places like food banks and animal shelters. You might even make a friend. Or hear about a job. Or remember what matters.

Also, read a novel. Yes, fiction. No, not one that turns into a TED Talk. Just a good story. Your brain needs to visit another world. (The real one sucks right now.) Bonus points if you get it from the library.

And that project you keep whispering to yourself about? Start it. Write the first line. Record the video. Build the thing. Doesn’t matter if no one sees it. This isn’t about going viral. It’s about not dying with your dream trapped inside a bullet point on your résumé.

This period of your life—the messy, uncertain, unstructured time—is not a waiting room. It’s a training ground. And it won’t last forever. So don’t waste it trying to impress people who never noticed when you were employed anyway.

One last thing: You are not a job title. You are not your productivity score. You are not someone’s “headcount.” You are a fully formed, wildly capable human being who just got a second chance at choosing what comes next.

So, choose with intention. Choose with courage.

Now close the tab, make a sandwich, and go be free for a bit.

#layoff #jobsearch #careertransition #recoverytime #mentalhealth #jobhunt #reframe #restisproductive #careerchange

Recruiting Tips

Ageism in the Workplace: The Bias We Don’t Talk About Enough

Angela Malagon

We talk about equity.
We talk about diversity.
We talk about inclusion.

But do we talk enough about ageism?

Not nearly.

In a culture obsessed with youth, fast-paced growth, and flashy innovation, experienced professionals—especially those over 40—often find themselves overlooked, underestimated, or outright excluded.

What Does Ageism Look Like?

Ageism isn’t always blatant. It often shows up in quiet, insidious ways:

  • Job descriptions asking for a “digital native” (translation: don’t apply if you didn’t grow up with social media).
  • Recruiters worried you’re “overqualified” (code for “too expensive” or “won’t stay long”).
  • Hiring managers assuming you’re “set in your ways” or not tech-savvy.
  • A noticeable decline in interview requests once your graduation year is updated on LinkedIn.

These subtle cues send a loud message: You’re too old.

Why It’s a Problem

This isn’t just about hurt feelings—it’s about missed opportunities.

Older professionals bring unmatched value:

  • Institutional knowledge
  • Strong networks
  • Leadership maturity
  • Stability
  • Mentorship capacity

Excluding them isn’t just discriminatory—it’s bad business.

What Can We Do About It?

For Employers & Recruiters:

  • Audit job postings for age-biased language.
  • Focus on skills and impact over graduation dates.
  • Create age-diverse interview panels.
  • Value continuous learners—at every age.
  • Stop assuming ambition has an expiration date.

For Job Seekers Over 40:

  • Own your experience confidently—don’t downplay it.
  • Stay current on trends and tech (but don’t pretend to be 25).
  • Network with intention: build bridges, not just resumes.
  • Reframe “overqualified” as “immediately impactful.”

Real Talk: Passion Doesn’t Retire

Many of us in midlife are entering our second acts—careers built on purpose, not just paychecks. We’re not slowing down—we’re shifting gears.

So next time you think someone’s “too experienced” for a role, ask yourself:
Are they really too experienced, or are we just too biased?

It’s time to rewrite the narrative.
Age doesn’t define capability—opportunity does.

🧠 Let’s keep the conversation going.
If you’ve faced ageism or found a way to thrive despite it, share your story below. 👇
#AgeismAwareness #InclusiveHiring #CareerAtAnyAge #WorkforceWisdom #AngelaMalagon #TalentWithoutLimits