So, You Didn't Get Your Dream Job...

Hey Besties!

It’s Wednesday, and this week, we’ve got tales of layoffs, dreams (not quite) coming true and... blow-up dinosaurs? Trust us, you’ll want to stick around for this one. Grab your favorite beverage (or maybe just a stress ball), and let’s dive in.

In This Episode:

• Intro Story: So, you know how layoffs are rough, right? Well, Jamie’s (former!) company decided to... lighten the mood (sigh). After a tough round of cuts, the idea was to throw a party for the remaining employees… because nothing says, “We’re in this together” like a T-Rex suit. But really, how do you navigate morale after a major shakeup? (Spoiler: It takes more than inflatable reptiles)

• Corporate Cringe Speak: Ever heard the phrase, “There’s a new sheriff in town”? It’s supposed to sound confident and inspiring, but often just makes people think they’re about to get lassoed into something they didn’t sign up for. (Why this term makes your team feel like they’re in “Back to the Future: Part 3”).

• Hot Topic: Let’s talk about “dream jobs” and the heartache of not getting them. When a role you’re excited about slips through your fingers (or you get a cold auto-reject), it can feel like the end of the world. But here’s the thing: it’s part of the journey, and often leads to something far better. We’ve all been there, and we’ll share how we navigated those moments (and how to find out if the “dream” was even real to begin with).

• Questions & Comments: Leigh gives a unique tip when you're considering a new job.

Discussion Guide – For Your Next HR Besties Meetup or Team Chat:

• After the Layoff: Have you seen post-layoff morale-improving ideas that actually worked… or backfired? What’s the best way to support employees during tough transitions?

• “New Sheriff” Alert: How can we introduce big changes without making people feel nervous?

• Dream Jobs & Detours: If we have a good candidate that doesn’t get the role, how can we communicate that and make them feel supported?

• The Dream Job Test: What are the signs of a healthy work-life balance that clue candidates in to the good in our organization? What can we proactively show?

Can’t wait for you to tune in! If you love our episodes as much as we love making them, please leave a rating and review - it’s one big thing that keeps us going!

Hopefully-blue skies where you are,
Your HR Besties

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