My very first blog post comes on the verge of a very deflating milestone… 98 job applications submitted in last three months since being blindsided by the Spurs during mass layoffs resulting from the COVID-19 epidemic, NINETY FREAKING EIGHT!
Despite getting a few interviews, all within the sports and entertainment industry, and being a finalist for one job, I’ll hit the century mark this week with no strong job prospects to hang my hat on for the near future. I say this not to garner pity, but rather to share empathy for so many out there in the same boat during these unprecedented times.
Having served as Creative Director for the five-time NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs and led creative and multimedia efforts at the executive level for Ohio State, one of the most recognized collegiate institutions in the country, hitting the century mark over this period has been humbling, frustrating and at times, head scratching. That said, I cannot feel too bad for myself as I am competing with hundreds of mega talented folks right now for every single job, many also unemployed and willing to work for much less in this dry market heavily favoring employers. Recruiters are looking for, and can probably find, perfect like-for-like experience matches in local candidates at the bottom of their salary ranges. With my senior leader title and core expertise in sports, entertainment, restaurants, hospitality, and retail, all industries blasted by this pandemic, my job applications are often dead on arrival. While certainly hoping that is not the case, reality has sunk in that I may need to settle in and get comfortable until we have a vaccine widely available, hopefully early in 2021🤞🏼.
I interviewed for one Creative Director role in sports and entertainment where the recruiter flat out told me they had never seen more applicants for any job in the history of the organization. While the first interview went great and I felt 99% certain of making it to the next round, I have now been ghosted by that recruiter for over a month and am sadly considering that opportunity dead. Other jobs which I should have been a shoo-in for an interview based on my background, even some with strong company connections, have resulted in now familiar form HR rejection letters. Simply put, it is brutal out there as so many of us are competing for the handful of jobs actually available in sports, entertainment and other industries ravaged by COVID-19.
If all this sounds like a familiar story, I hope you too are able to keep your head up. While I by no means have all the answers, I can share what has helped me navigate the grief, shame and frustration which has ensued over the last several months of job hunting and soul-searching.
3 weeks ago, I was laid off due to COVID. Grateful for the folks I worked alongside at SS&E, wishing them nothing but success.
I’m now a free agent Creative Director / Brand Exec and am #OpenToWork – https://t.co/hxIE5VrysN#WorkInSports #SportsDesign #SMSports #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/3dK83l3mFY
— Justin Winget (@JustinWinget) August 6, 2020
1. Grief is a tunnel that you need to go all the way through
Rather than bury them somewhere deep inside, give your feelings the air needed for you to move on. For me, that has meant over 150 miles of walking/running since being laid off. The almost daily jaunts have allowed me to live in the emotional extremes. When overcome by anger, I crank up AC/DC in my earbuds and run a little faster. When the sadness hits, I find a quiet place with a big old rock to sit on and and let the tears flow. I have gotten hooked on free podcasts from self-help gurus like Dave Hollis, Brené Brown, Angela Duckworth, and Stephen Dubner, all of whom I will owe a debt of gratitude to at the end of this journey. The career break has also allowed me to reconnect with the many family and friends I hold near and dear, but regretfully have not made enough time for in the past. Most importantly though, I have have learned to surround myself (virtually) with a positive and caring community of loved ones willing to bear a little of this burden and help me work through the lingering sadness and shame. As an old adage goes, “true friends are not the ones that make your problems disappear, their the ones who will not disappear when you are facing problems.”
2. Put your energy into the things you can control
For me, I have maintained a steadfast focus on daily improvement, both personally and professionally. In three months I have gotten this website off the ground, something I have literally put off for years. I am also launching an Amazon shop in the coming weeks with a few creative friends, have started a couple creative passion projects for no one but myself, and am exploring some executive education programs aimed at continued learning and career growth. Knowing that self-fulfillment and gratification during a job hunt likely will not come from those you are working your tail off to impress, it is important that you set some measurable and achievable goals in this time not contingent on what recruiters or hiring managers think of you and your resume or portfolio. I will attest that it is hard to do, but instead of letting the 98 companies who have said “no” drag me down, I am choosing to celebrate what I have achieved and the possibilities ahead because of them. While I have not worked in three months, I am 100% a better candidate now than I was back in July.
3. Show yourself and others some grace
The popular quote that “everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about” rings truer now than ever. The world has been in quarantine for 8+ months now, and whether facing struggles with loneliness and isolation or overwhelmed by the need to be “always on” as a parent trying to work and teach from home simultaneously, this pandemic has left no one unscathed. Adding to the collective anxiety, we are living in a country that is facing political, racial, religious and socioeconomic divide unlike anything seen in my generation. IT IS TOUGH TIMES Y’ALL! Showing grace to others can be through random acts of kindness for those in need, providing a connection or LinkedIn recommendation for a former co-worker that has found themselves unemployed, or simply checking in with a struggling friend or family member to show encouragement and be present. Just a little bit can go a long way!
As my own worst critic, showing myself some grace through this rough season has been my biggest challenge. I am the kind of person who muscles through the tough times with hard work and dedicated focus. The standards I hold for myself are through the roof, so living with the rejection letters and feelings of shame after being laid-off have been really tough pills to swallow. Thankfully, I have some amazing loved ones around me constantly reminding me to slow down, enjoy this time I will never get back with my daughters, and show myself some damn grace!
“Be nice, for everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”