During our careers, regardless of our roles or the companies we work for, we inevitably encounter difficult individuals whom we must navigate. Difficult people at work are individuals who consistently exhibit challenging behaviors that hinder productivity and create a negative work environment. These individuals may display traits such as aggression, stubbornness, or a lack of cooperation, making it difficult for us to effectively collaborate and achieve common goals.

In my experience, dealing with difficult individuals has been challenging, but I have found a few helpful strategies.

First, I go back to my core values, which include love and courage. For example, I once encountered a loud and confrontational customer while working at his house. Initially, I was unsure how to handle his aggressive behavior, but because I have a deep love for my team, I found the courage to confront him, calmly address the situation, and try to defuse it. In that moment, I also reminded myself of...

With 200,000+ tech layoffs in 2023 and more being let go in early 2024, it is easy to get discouraged. Personally, I have many friends who were and are affected. For those whom I worked with, I am grateful that our paths crossed.

For 30 days, I will post a tip each day to encourage you and give you some suggestions on how to stay motivated during your job search.

Day 22

Expressing thoughts and emotions about job loss can be challenging, especially after experiencing it firsthand. In the past months, I've been focusing on sharing insights about coping with job loss and maintaining a positive outlook. My expertise lies in engineering, leadership and personal development coaching, rather than career counseling. However, the prevalent job losses among my close circle, including myself, have prompted me to delve into this topic. Losing a job, regardless of mental preparedness, can be emotionally devastating, especially when one has invested their heart and soul into their work. 

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With 200,000+ tech layoffs in 2023 and more being let go in early 2024, it is easy to get discouraged. Personally, I have many friends who were and are affected. For those whom I worked with, I am grateful that our paths crossed.

For 30 days, I will post a tip each day to encourage you and give you some suggestions on how to stay motivated during your job search.

Day 21

Preparing for an interview can be nerve-wracking, but with the right preparation, you can feel confident and ready to impress. Here are the top 5 most commonly asked interview questions and the best ways to answer them:

1. Can you tell me about yourself? Start with your recent experience and work your way backwards, emphasizing skills and past experiences that are relevant to the job you are seeking.

2. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Focus on a few key strengths that are applicable to the position and offer examples of how they have benefited you in previous roles. For weaknesses, choose one that you have...

With 200,000+ tech layoffs in 2023 and more being let go in early 2024, it is easy to get discouraged. Personally, I have many friends who were and are affected. For those whom I worked with, I am grateful that our paths crossed.

For 30 days, I will post a tip each day to encourage you and give you some suggestions on how to stay motivated during your job search.

Day 20

In the context of a job loss recovery, the HERO journey can be an empowering framework to navigate through the challenges and emerge stronger. H stands for Healing; E stands for Empowering; R stands for Resourcing; and O stands for Overcoming.

Let's explore how each aspect of the HERO journey applies to the process of job loss recovery.

Healing

Acknowledge Emotions: Allow yourself to grieve the loss of the job and acknowledge any feelings of shock, anger, or sadness.

Self-Care: Focus on self-care to maintain physical and emotional well-being. Engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation.

Seek Support:...

With 200,000+ tech layoffs in 2023 and more being let go in early 2024, it is easy to get discouraged. Personally, I have many friends who were and are affected. For those whom I worked with, I am grateful that our paths crossed.

For 30 days, I will post a tip each day to encourage you and give you some suggestions on how to stay motivated during your job search.

Day 19

In Zen tradition, a well-known tale recounts an encounter between the Buddha and a ferocious elephant, notorious for its deadly attacks on humans. One day, as the elephant wreaked havoc in a village, it encountered the Buddha. Despite the elephant's rage, the Buddha approached it with unwavering calm and extended a hand of compassion. Miraculously, the power of his compassion transformed the elephant's aggression into reverence.

In the early days of my Zen practice, I aspired to embody the same strength and compassion as the Buddha. I yearned to exhibit loving kindness towards others, irrespective of their actions...

With 200,000+ tech layoffs in 2023 and more being let go in early 2024, it is easy to get discouraged. Personally, I have many friends who were and are affected. For those whom I worked with, I am grateful that our paths crossed.

For 30 days, I will post a tip each day to encourage you and give you some suggestions on how to stay motivated during your job search.

Day 18

Losing a job can be an incredibly disorienting experience because it disrupts the structure and routine that once defined our daily lives. For those who held high-level positions, the transition can be even more difficult. Going from managing an endless to-do list and putting out daily fires, to having nothing that requires immediate attention can be a shock to the system. During this time, it is crucial to establish structure and routine because they provide a sense of stability, predictability, and control over our lives.

Using a daily agenda after experiencing job loss offers numerous benefits. Firstly, it helps...

With 200,000+ tech layoffs in 2023 and more being let go in early 2024, it is easy to get discouraged. Personally, I have many friends who were and are affected. For those whom I worked with, I am grateful that our paths crossed.

For 30 days, I will post a tip each day to encourage you and give you some suggestions on how to stay motivated during your job search.

Day 17

Every year, I choose one word to focus on. This word serves as a reminder for me to work on and prioritize throughout the challenges of daily life. It is like a New Year's resolution, but simpler and easier to remember. This practice has greatly helped me over the years. Whenever I face challenges, fear, or discouragement, I hold onto this one word. It has consistently guided me through difficult moments and aided me in making the right decisions. In the past, my chosen words were "courage," "positivity," "grace," and "faith." This year, my word is in Vietnamese, "Xa~," which translates to "Let go."

In Vietnamese...

With 200,000+ tech layoffs in 2023 and more being let go in early 2024, it is easy to get discouraged. Personally, I have many friends who were and are affected. For those whom I worked with, I am grateful that our paths crossed.

For 30 days, I will post a tip each day to encourage you and give you some suggestions on how to stay motivated during your job search.

Day 16

While it's normal to experience a range of emotions during a job loss, maintaining a positive attitude can be a powerful asset in navigating through the challenges and emerging stronger on the other side. One strategy that helps me maintain a positive mindset is reading about individuals who have overcome extreme situations.

1. "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl. Despite being head of the neurology department at a hospital in Vienna, Frankl lost everything, including his social status, home, family, and even his name, when he was forced into a Nazis concentration camp. However, he realized that even in such...

With 200,000+ tech layoffs in 2023 and more being let go in early 2024, it is easy to get discouraged. Personally, I have many friends who were and are affected. For those whom I worked with, I am grateful that our paths crossed.

For 30 days, I will post a tip each day to encourage you and give you some suggestions on how to stay motivated during your job search.

Day 15

I recall a valuable advice from my former mentor: 'The optimal moment to refresh your resume is while you are employed.' However, if we find ourselves without a job, the ideal time to update our resume is a couple weeks after the job loss. This period allows us to overcome the initial shock, process our emotions, conduct a thorough self-assessment of strengths and achievements, and then carefully craft our resume. A well-crafted resume can open doors and land you that first interview appointment. Here are a few tips to help you stand out in the job search process:

1. Tailor your resume to the job by using the exact...

With 200,000+ tech layoffs in 2023 and more being let go in early 2024, it is easy to get discouraged. Personally, I have many friends who were and are affected. For those whom I worked with, I am grateful that our paths crossed.

For 30 days, I will post a tip each day to encourage you and give you some suggestions on how to stay motivated during your job search.

Day 14

Searching for a job can be a tough journey, especially when it feels like you're not making any progress. You send in your resume, submit an application, and then wait for weeks without any response. You may even make it to the first round of interviews and think you nailed it, only to wait for a few more weeks without any callback. It's frustrating, and it can be disheartening when you don't have any positive feedback.

I know how hard it is to keep going when you're faced with ongoing rejection. Even the most experienced professionals can struggle with this. But it's important to stay motivated and keep pushing...