What I Would Do If I Was Unemployed Right Now (As a First-Gen or BIPOC Professional)
- Alondra Cañizal
- Jul 10
- 6 min read
If you landed here because you're unemployed, or you feel like it's coming, first: take a breath. This post is for you specifically. The first-generation professional. The BIPOC job seeker. The person who has been taught that no job equals no worth.
That's not the truth, and I'm going to walk you through exactly what I would do if I were in your shoes right now. As you are feeling the pressure of this market, a reminder about both your inner resources and the support your community can provide can go a long way in approaching the roller coaster of job searching with patience, love and care for yourself.
Don't Panic (Even When Everything in You Wants To)
Depending on your upbringing and your relationship with money, as BIPOC and first-generation professionals we often carry a scarcity mindset into our careers. No job means no money. No money means you can't pay your bills. I am not going to sit here and pretend those fears aren't real, because they are.
What I am saying is that operating from panic is going to work against you. When we are in scarcity mode, that contact we were going to reach out to has already rejected us in our heads before we even send the email. That job posting feels pointless before we even read the full description. When we search for a job from a place of calm, we start to see the opportunities, the potential in connections, and we make decisions based on what actually serves us, not just what gets us off the unemployed rollercoaster as fast as possible.
So what does calm actually look like in practice? It might mean giving yourself one hour in the morning to job search and protecting the rest of your day. It might mean journaling, going on a walk, or calling the one person who always hypes you up and has a list of all your accomplishments so you never forget who exactly you are. It means being intentional about what you consume, less doom scrolling, more deliberate action. Panic might be our first response, but calm can be our invited friend that offers a new ‘what if’ mindset that honors who we are as people instead of just doers.
Connect With Your People
I love a good networking strategy, and I am here for those. And you also need your people. The ones that fill your cup, hype you up, and have receipts on your capabilities. These folks might not be in your field or have the direct connections you need, but the emotional support they provide is unmatched and should not be underestimated in this process. Trust.
There is a difference between the people who remind you of your worth and the people who can open doors. You need both, but right now, prioritize the first group. Job searching is exhausting and isolating, and having a solid support system around you is not a nice-to-have. It is the foundation that makes everything else possible.
Text someone today. Tell them what's going on. Let them show up for you.
Get Out of the House
It is so easy to stay home, spiral, apply for every job on LinkedIn, curse out the algorithm, doom scroll, and repeat. I see you. And this is your sign to go to the event anyway.
Yes, the question "so what do you do?" is going to come up and it is going to feel awkward. The growth is in the awkward. Here are two ways to handle it:
Option A: "My background is in XYZ, and I'm currently exploring opportunities in XYZ."
Option B: "I was at XYZ doing XYZ, got laid off last month, and honestly it has been a good push to make a move I had been thinking about. I am looking for work in XYZ right now."
It might be hard at first, but like anything in the job search, the more you do it the easier it gets. Practice makes progress, not perfection. And if in-person events feel like too much right now, online community counts too. LinkedIn, Slack groups, professional communities on Discord. Show up somewhere, even if it is digital.
Learn Something New (Yes, Including AI)
I know every minute feels like it should go toward applications, but investing even a little of that energy into learning something new pays off in more ways than one. You stay current on trends and tools in your field, you have something concrete to add to your resume under professional development, and you give yourself something fresh to talk about in interviews.
This includes AI tools beyond ChatGPT. Employers are paying attention to who is keeping up and who is not. Whether it is learning a new platform relevant to your field, getting a free certification on Coursera or LinkedIn Learning, or just staying current on what is changing in your industry, this time can be an investment. The job market is moving fast and staying curious is a competitive edge.
Even one hour a week dedicated to learning keeps your mind sharp and your narrative fresh. "I used this time to get certified in X" reminds the employer that are amenable to market changes and take the initiative to learn new technologies.
Consider All Your Options, For Real
At the risk of sounding like a toxic positivity troll, this moment might actually be an opening. I know that can be hard to hear when you are stressed about rent. Stick with me.
Some questions worth sitting with:
Do you even want to go back to the same field?
Is there a side hustle you have been quietly pouring your heart into but have been too afraid to go all in on? Is this the window to test it out?
Is there a role that always seemed off-brand for you but you have always been low-key curious about? This might be the time for a coffee chat or informational interview with someone doing that job.
Are there industries adjacent to yours that value your skills but might offer more stability, growth, or alignment with what you actually care about?
What would you do if fear was not in the room?
Career shadow day, anyone? An informational interview costs nothing but time and it can completely change how you see what is possible for you.
Your First 48 Hours AFTER LOSING YOUR JOB: A Grounding Checklist
If you are right at the beginning of this, here is a simple starting point:
Tell one or two trusted people what is going on
Give yourself 24-48 hours before mass applying anywhere
Update your resume, but do not apply to everything in one sitting
Identify two or three roles or directions that actually excite you
Block time on your calendar for job searching so it does not take over your whole day
Do one thing that has nothing to do with job searching
What Comes Next
This era does not have to be all doom and gloom. You are worthy. You have talent. You are capable. Yes, the job market is rough right now, but you have options and people ready to cheer you on into your next chapter.
I am here to help you map out what this transition looks like for you in a way that honors your background, your humanity, and your future self. That means I meet you where you are. No sugarcoating, no agreeing just to avoid ruffling feathers, but real support and a push to consider who you are becoming. A future version of you that sits right with your soul.
Let's find that version together.
Get in Touch at Solunacareer.com
Frequently Asked Questions after losing your job
What should I do first when I lose my job?
Before updating your resume or blasting out applications, take a moment to get grounded. Connect with people who support you, manage the panic mindset, and make a realistic plan rather than reacting from fear. Give yourself 24 to 48 hours before going into full application mode.
How do I network when I'm unemployed and feel embarrassed about it?
You do not have to have a perfect answer ready. Showing up is the first step. A simple, honest line about your transition is more relatable and memorable than a polished pitch anyway. Most people have been there or know someone who has. Consider going with someone to your first event so that you will at least know one person.
Is it okay to take a break from job searching?
Short breaks to learn, recharge, or connect with your community are not wasted time. They are part of a sustainable job search strategy. Burning yourself out in the first two weeks helps no one.
How do I stay motivated during a long job search?
Structure helps more than motivation. Set daily or weekly goals, celebrate small wins like a coffee chat or a new connection, and lean on your support system. Motivation is a feeling that comes and goes. Systems keep you moving when the feeling is not there.
About the Author: Alondra Canizal Hsu, M.Ed., MCOUN is a career coach and the founder of Soluna Career Consulting in Portland, OR. She specializes in supporting first-generation professionals and BIPOC communities through career transitions, job searches, and workplace navigation. Learn more at solunacareer.com.
