for those impacted in previous cuts, what specific support programs helped most [outplacement, alumni network, internal advocates], and which of those are confirmed for 2025? Were they any good???
1 reply
My experience goes back quite a ways, but in case it is helpful: the outsourcing support offered can be useful depending on how recently you've been looking for a job (resume services and tailoring to opportunities, LinkedIn profiles, job search recommendations, interviewing techniques and prep, etc). There were optional training classes through UST that you could take advantage of; they were done well, but the real value is in networking (peers in the class and their networks, professors and their contacts/networks). No idea if that is a part of the package now or in recent layoffs.
Biggest advice is to take a breath, take stock of what you want to do next, and use the 60 days plus severance pay to treat your networking and job search like a full time job. Be clear with friends, mentors, peers, etc. what your goals are (industries, roles, areas of interest, etc). Know that a lot of people want to help, you aren't a bother, and your network is much more helpful in finding your next adventure than your resume and applications. If you have mentors at Target, stay in contact; they want to help now, just like they did when you were a team member. There are a lot of us that have been promoted to guest between 2013 and 2025, there are networking groups you can find through LinkedIn and some of the large churches in the metro, your LinkedIn network is huge, and so are friends you've made along the way. Work with talent/recruiting firms; if you don't have one, talk to your network and someone will get you in contact. Use them and in return, be there for others in the same boat.