ASW Conversations: From setback to comeback: Navigating the job market with resilience, with Jacki Lutz

What’s it really like to get the call that your job is gone? And to face the daunting world of job hunting?

For many, it’s a moment of panic, self-doubt and uncertainty about what comes next. But as Jacki Lutz, director of content at the Auto Care Association, discovered, how you position yourself, both online and off, can make all the difference in turning a setback into a new opportunity.

In this episode of Auto Service World Conversations, Lutz described the shock of losing her job after 10 years of dedication.

“Turning around and being let go by that company was a huge shock, because I just definitely didn’t see it coming,” she recalled, noting that she was part of the third round of cuts and had to let people go herself.

“I was told not to worry too much, that my role would be safe, which was unfortunate, that it didn’t end up that way. But it just added to my shock.”

The emotional toll was immediate. “I feel like I went through all of the stages of grief in like 24 hours. You’re angry, you’re confused,” Lutz added.

But it may have come as a blessing in disguise because the desire to do something different in her career was a thought in the back of her mind. Being let go might have been the push she needed to find the next adventure she was craving.

“I don’t know if I ever would have truly made the leap or not, and this kind of forced me down that path,” Lutz said.

But once she got the news she was being let go, rather than retreat, Lutz leaned on her professional network and personal brand to find new opportunities.

“Once I pulled myself up off the floor, I started immediately reaching out to my network. I have a lot of group chats that I have with different people, different groups,” she said.

Lutz emphasized the importance of personal branding, both online and offline, as key to making the journey through the job market easier. In fact, she didn’t necessarily look for openings — people came to her with messages of support and offerings to let her know of opportunities they came across.

“Everyone has a brand. This isn’t a new thing. Everyone thinks it’s like a buzzword in the past 10 years. Personal branding has always existed,” Lutz explained. “It’s the emotional part of the company, and the brand of the person is very similar. How do you feel when you see that face? How do you feel when you hear that so-and-so is going to be at the networking event;is it a good feeling, a bad feeling? That’s personal branding.”

Your brand gives people a chance to see your attitude following a layoff. Are you sulking or are you looking to better yourself?

“I really wanted to make sure that my attitude showed through, that I’m not bitter, that I’m grateful for the time I had with that company and I don’t regret it — I don’t regret my time there, I don’t have hard feelings,” Lutz said. “Who wants to hire somebody who is going to begrudge them?

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