[CAREER SUCCESS] Bridging the Confidence Gap After Being Impacted by a Layoff or Reorg

"You haven't lost your talent, your track record, or the value you bring to a company. You were simply impacted by a business decision, and your next opportunity could be an even better fit than the one you left behind."

~ Audie Fridstein

September 2, 2025

Hi Audie!

I hope you had an enjoyable Labor Day weekend! As we head into the final four months of the year, it’s the perfect time to reset, refocus, and move forward with fresh energy and optimism.

Being impacted by a layoff or reorganization can leave even the most accomplished leaders questioning themselves. Suddenly you’re navigating "what’s next" while processing an unexpected change.

If your confidence feels shaky, you’re not alone. The truth is, your skills, talent, leadership, and the value you bring to an organization are still very much intact.

With the right strategies, you can bridge the confidence gap, re-energize your job search with clarity and momentum, and step into your next opportunity with a renewed sense of strength and purpose.

That’s exactly what this month’s article is all about: practical ways to rebuild your confidence after being impacted by a layoff or reorg, and move forward feeling ready for what’s next.

 
Bridging the Confidence Gap After Being Impacted By a Layoff or Reorg

If you’ve recently been impacted by a layoff or reorganization, let me first say this: you are not alone. Even the most talented, high-performing leaders are being impacted right now as companies shift, restructure, and make changes that have nothing to do with individual performance.

I know it can feel like the rug has been pulled out from under you, but please remember this: being impacted by a layoff is a business decision, not a reflection of your value.

From my work with hundreds of corporate executives and leaders, I can tell you the hardest part of transition often isn’t the job search itself. It’s the hit your confidence takes. That nagging gap between how you feel in this moment and who you know you really are.


What the “Confidence Gap” Really Is
The confidence gap shows up as the space between how you see yourself right now (maybe bruised, uncertain, or questioning your worth) and the reality of who you are: a proven professional with years of results/accomplishments, leadership, and resilience.

It’s fueled by thoughts like:

• “Why me?”
• “What if I don’t land something comparable?”
• “Will people see me as less valuable because I was impacted?”

If left unchecked, those doubts can slow you down. Yet, here’s the encouraging part: confidence isn’t gone forever. It can absolutely be rebuilt, step by step.


Five Ways to Rebuild and Bridge the Gap

1. Reflect & Reframe
Take a moment to revisit your career wins, such as the revenue you drove, the teams you built, the strategies you shaped.

Those achievements don’t disappear because of a business decision. Reframe your transition as exactly that: a business move, not a reflection of your capabilities or worth.

2. Reconnect with Your Network
When confidence is shaky, hearing how others experienced your leadership can be a powerful boost. Reach out to trusted colleagues, mentors, clients or vendors.

Ask what they saw as your biggest strengths. You’ll be reminded of qualities you may have temporarily forgotten.

3. Create Small Wins
Landing your next opportunity can feel far away. So set yourself up for little victories along the way.

Decide what "what's next" looks like, update your resume and LinkedIn profile tailored to what's important and relevant in your next role, work on your messaging and how best to respond to common networking/interviewing questions, schedule a few networking calls, practice a mock interview, etc.

Every step forward builds momentum and helps close that gap.

4. Refresh Skills & Stay Current
Exploring a new certification, course, or industry trend isn’t just about marketability, it also reinforces your resilience and adaptability.

These are qualities employers love to see, and is especially important for those who are 50+ and concerned about potential ageism in the hiring process.

5. Mindset & Self-Care
This part matters more than you think. Exercise, journaling, volunteering, connecting with friends are simple routines that keep you grounded and fill your cup.

Confidence flourishes when you’re engaged and taking care of yourself.


Bridging Confidence Into Your Search
Bridging the confidence gap isn’t just about how you feel on the inside. It’s also about how you show up on the outside.

• Keep your resume and LinkedIn focused on your skills, strengths and impact that's relevant to your next opportunity, and not the fact that you were impacted. (hint: drop the Open to Work banner on LI and any reference to being Open to Work in your LI headline)
• Practice telling your story with clarity and confidence, so you feel prepared (not defensive) when asked about your transition and why you're looking for a new position.
• Remember: interviews aren’t about explaining why you were laid off. They’re about showing how your skills, experience, leadership, and energy will help the next organization succeed.

Final Thoughts

Being impacted by a layoff or reorg is one chapter in your career, not the whole story. I’ve seen so many clients move from feeling deflated to landing roles that light them up even more than what they left behind.

Confidence doesn’t reappear overnight; however, it can be rebuilt with reflection, action, and support. And the truth is, you don’t have to do it alone.

If you’re navigating or anticipating an upcoming career transition and are ready to bridge your own confidence gap, I’d be honored to walk alongside you.

Together, we’ll take the stress out of the process and help you move forward to securing "what's next" with clarity, confidence, and momentum.

"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow is our doubts of today."

~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

 In closing, I hope you enjoyed this month's newsletter and received a lot of value out of it. What questions do you have? What topics would you like me to write about in future newsletters? Send me an email and let me know!

I'll be back  next month with other valuable job search tips, strategies, mindset shifts and light bulb moments.💡

Thank you for being part of my community! ❤

To your career success,
Audie

P.S. Attention mid- to senior-level corporate leaders and executives!

If you're looking for support and guidance to confidently:

• Gain clarity into 'what's next' in your career
• Create a strong and compelling resume and LinkedIn profile so you stand out and get noticed
• Uncover great job opportunities before your competition does
• Create a steady stream of meaningful networking conversations and interviews (making being ghosted and having little to no conversations/interviews a thing of the past!)
• Prepare for and nail your interviews so you consistently move onto the next step in the interview process
• Negotiate your offer(s)

AND want to have access to a highly experienced job search strategist & expert (personally and professionally) for questions that come up, situations you're not sure how to handle or respond to, and someone to strategize with, let's talk!! Click here to schedule a complimentary 45-minute consultation.