How to ask your network for help after a layoff
By Alice Huang, Chief of Staff and operator
Ask your network for job-search help with a clear role target, a real strength and one specific request. Includes an adaptable message template.
People can care about you and still not know how to help. Give them a clear picture of the work you want and one manageable ask.
CareerOneStop recommends a brief networking message with your job goal, best skills and experience, and what you are asking for. It also suggests starting with a few contacts who may know people in your field.
Make the target specific
Replace "anything in operations" with the role, business context and location or remote requirements you actually want. You can adjust that target as you learn. For now, make it easy for someone to recognize a fit.
Add one or two real strengths. "I help teams turn priorities into projects and keep the follow-through moving" is useful if it describes your work. A string of titles or claims you cannot explain is not.
A message to adapt
"Hi [name], I'm looking for [role] with [type of company]. My strongest work is [specific work], including [brief example you can share]. Do you know a founder or hiring lead who needs that kind of support? An introduction, if someone comes to mind, would mean a lot. Thank you."
This is a template, not a claim about anyone's experience. Fill the brackets with facts and use language that sounds like you. You do not have to tell the whole story of the layoff to make a clear ask.
Keep the follow-through simple
Track who you contacted, what you asked, any introduction they offered and your next action. Thank people for their time. If they send you a lead, research it before replying or applying. Do not treat an introduction as a recommendation the other person never gave.
Make room for a no
Your contact may not know anyone right now. That does not mean the conversation was pointless or that you have to send another message tomorrow. Keep the relationship bigger than this one request.
Start with a few people who understand your work. A thoughtful, answerable ask is a better first step than a broadcast you feel obliged to keep explaining.