Dear Experts, For some reason, I have a trouble taking criticism from my co-workers. I never really noticed it until one of my friends pointed it out to me. Even though I'm aware of it, I still find myself instinctively becoming very defensive when someone tries to provide feedback on my work. Any ideas for battling this? Here’s a video recap of how our experts answered this question: Here is how our CAREEREALISM-Approved Experts answered this question on Twitter:Q#487 When you know you are going to receive feedback, take a minute to take in the criticism before reacting. (@gradversity) Q#487 Admitting you have a prob is the first step! See from their perspective. Be aware and counter early. (@beneubanks) Q#487 Don't take it personally, it's probably not about you. Read what Tim Ferris says about this: http://bit.ly/dmca1s (@JoshuaWaldman) Q#487 Inventory yourself , what are their motives? Qualify criticism. Be open. (zen habits) http://tinyurl.com/2efr6cs (@DeborahShaneOur Twitter Advice Project (T.A.P.) is no longer an active campaign. To find an answer to the above question, please use the "Search" box in the right-hand column of this website.

We get it. Looking for work can be scary, especially if you’ve been at it for a long time and haven’t gotten any results.
Understanding which fears are getting in the way and how to overcome them will make all the difference. Sometimes you might not be aware of which obstacle is getting in the way of your goals. If you want to overcome these fears once and for all, we invite you to join us!
In this training, you’ll learn how to:
- Utilize strategies for coping with your job search fears
- Be confident in your job search—from writing your resume to networking
- Face your fears and move forward
Join our CEO, J.T. O'Donnell, and Director of Training Development & Coaching, Christina Burgio, for this live event on Wednesday, October 5th at 12 pm ET.
CAN'T ATTEND LIVE? That's okay. You'll have access to the recording and the workbook after the session!
For almost all adults, work is one of the primary features of life. Many people devote more than 40 hours every week to their jobs, so it's not unusual for them to be stressed when they're laid off.
For most people, it's like being fired from their second home.
However, being stressed when you're fired is a double-edged sword because you need to remain relaxed when searching for your next job. Therefore, we have prepared the following tips to help you relax and de-stress when you've been laid off:
Talk To Family And Friends
Being laid off from a job that you've had for years may cause you to become angry. If you're angry about the way you were laid off, or any other aspect of your previous job, you should not keep these thoughts to yourself. Talk about this with your friends and family, and ex-colleagues, so that you can vent and let go of these emotions.
Also, take this as an opportunity to talk with old friends and rekindle old relationships. Now that you're not busy with work, you have time to catch up with old friends to help ease the stress and fill the downtime. This reconnection may also lead to networking and help you find a new job.
Pursue Your Hobbies
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Doing what you love is one of the surest ways to relax, and there is nothing better in that respect than to pursue your hobbies.
When you were busy with work, you may not have had time to do these things, but now that you're free, you should use this time to work on your hobbies. Whether you like sailing or making miniature boats, you should do these things as a way to relax.
Exercise Daily
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Physical exercise affects us directly by releasing endorphins in our neural system, which improve our mood and help reduce stress. Using exercise, you can also release emotions such as anger and disappointment. However, it's better to control these emotions with the following tip: meditation.
Meditate Regularly
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There are many different techniques of meditation, and you should choose one that best suits you. Meditation is hard to define in a few words, but we can say that meditation is reconnecting with your true self by letting go of emotions that trouble you.
It can help you subdue any anger or disappointment you may feel due to being laid off from your previous job. Even if you never saw yourself as a person who would meditate, this will give you the opportunity to reflect on yourself, relax, and try new things.
Sleep And Eat Properly
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Food and sleep are some of the very basic requirements of a healthy body and mind.
Make sure that you're getting at least 6-8 hours of sleep every night. Take all your meals regularly, and eat nutrient-rich food rather than junk food. With proper sleep and nutrients, you are bound to feel better during the day and will be ready to take on the task of job searching with a clear mind.
Keep Yourself Entertained And Learn More
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If you take pleasure in watching movies, then you should watch your favorite movies once again. If you like to read books, then maybe you should pick a big book and immerse yourself in it.
You can also read about your hobbies and interests, and improve your body of knowledge about a subject. There are many online tutorial sites where you can learn about new topics.
Once you're laid off, stress can come in many forms. It can arise due to anger, disappointment, aggression, powerlessness, or a mixture of any of these feelings. The trick to managing these emotions is by keeping yourself busy with other activities and by seeking social support from friends and family. Meditation can also help you root out these emotions, or at least reduce them to the extent that they do not trouble you excessively.
Need more help surviving a layoff?
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This article was originally published at an earlier date.
"Do you really need a LinkedIn profile?" As a 20-year career coaching veteran, I get asked this question almost every day.
The short answer? Yes, you do need a LinkedIn profile.
Why? Well, here are two reasons why I think you should have a LinkedIn profile in 2023:
Why You Need A LinkedIn Profile
@j.t.odonnell Replying to @user30726650 2 reasons to setup a @linkedin profile in 2023. #careertok#jobtok#linkedin#linkedintips#linkedinprofile#jobs#jobsearch#joblife#careerhelp#careeradvice#career#job♬ original sound - J.T. O'Donnell
Reason #1
First of all, 840 million people and counting now have profiles on LinkedIn, which means there's a 100% chance that somebody who works at the company that you'd like to work for someday is on LinkedIn. Now, why does that matter? Well, studies show that as much as 80% of all jobs are gotten via some form of referral. And if you've ever applied online and never heard back, you know what I'm talking about.
Applying online is the worst way to get hired. The best way to get hired is to know somebody who knows somebody who can get you in touch with a recruiter or hiring manager. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can do that yourself. You can reach out to somebody that works at your dream company and ask, "Who's the best person to talk to about these types of jobs?"
Reason #2
The second reason you want to have a LinkedIn profile is for the purpose of background checks. Companies are going to look you up on social media. They're going to see what you're about. Having a LinkedIn profile that's very professional, that describes your skills and experience, is going to be a great way for you to rank. Your LinkedIn profile will rank when somebody searches your name based on how many keywords (skills) you include on your profile. Recruiters will be able to find you. It's simply a great way to put your best foot forward.
So for those two reasons (and for the fact that it can take you less than an hour to set up your profile), I think it's so worth it to have a LinkedIn profile. We are all businesses-of-one. We're service providers. We need to manage our careers. And if you're a purpose-driven professional who wants greater career satisfaction, you've got to own that. Why not use a free tool to have more control?
Want to learn how to correctly set up your LinkedIn profile?
Sign up for my FREE Resume & LinkedIn Bootcamp today to learn how to update your resume and LinkedIn profile the way recruiters want!