By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter

Losing a job can feel like the ground vanishes beneath you, an overwhelming event that profoundly shakes your sense of self and your future. It’s more than just a professional setback; it can be a deep emotional hit, much like going through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. This profound upheaval can feel almost physical, as experienced by many who find themselves needing therapy and antidepressants after being fired.

But what if that tough moment could actually be a catalyst for something better, even transformative? Our mission today, drawing on Ken’s powerful story and strategic insights, is to provide a clear roadmap not just to get through a career transition, but to truly thrive. This isn’t just about landing any job; it’s about regaining control, pivoting to something better, and finding the opportunity hidden within the challenge.

Getting Your Head Straight: The Foundation of Recovery

Before diving into practical strategies, Ken emphasizes the critical first step: getting your head straight. This is easier said than done, as anyone who has experienced job loss knows it’s a battle.

• Embrace the “Next Play” Mindset: Inspired by Coach K of Duke basketball, Ken suggests that once something is done, good or bad, you move on. The “why” you lost the job ultimately doesn’t matter; what matters is “what’s next?”. Admitting the reality, as Ken did with “I was fired,” is a huge step towards moving past it, despite the ego blow.
• Act as If: Cultivating a positive mindset doesn’t mean magically feeling positive overnight. Instead, it’s about consciously convincing yourself that your next, better job is already out there waiting for you. This is a self-fulfilling prophecy, where you start believing it and acting like it’s true.
• Practice Self-Compassion: We often pump up friends who’ve lost their jobs, reminding them of their accomplishments and worth, but struggle to do the same for ourselves. Challenge that negative internal voice. Saying those negative thoughts out loud can often reveal how ridiculous they sound, deflating their power. Give yourself the same belief you’d offer your best friend.
• Power Poses: A surprising but practical tip from Ken is to use power poses, as popularized by Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk. Standing tall and open, like Wonder Woman, for just two minutes can increase confidence-linked testosterone and lower stress-linked cortisol. Ken even used this before an interview, and while it didn’t guarantee the job, it certainly boosted his confidence.
• Self-Worth is Internal: For 25 years, Ken’s identity was tied to Johnson & Johnson. Losing that job cut deep because it felt like losing himself. A core message is to believe in yourself; you are more than your last job title. Your self-worth must be internal.

This self-belief forms the bedrock for Ken’s strategic framework: The TRUST Success Model. Inspired by J&J’s credo, which famously prioritized customers, then employees, then community, Ken asserts that trust is the foundation of all great relationships and therefore, success. This model applies universally, whether you’re actively job hunting or striving in your current role.

The TRUST Success Model: Your Roadmap to Resilience

The TRUST model breaks down into five actionable parts: Transparency, Results, Understanding, Simplifying, and Teams.

T – Transparency: Knowing Yourself Inside Out

Transparency is about serious self-reflection and looking inward after a job loss or when considering a change.

• Identify Your Passions and Strengths: Ask yourself: What jobs did I genuinely enjoy? What skills truly engaged me? Do I thrive alone or leading a team? Do I prefer remote or in-office work?
• Document Your Impact: Go beyond just listing past successes; understand why you were successful. What was your actual impact? What did you do that made a difference? Documenting this meticulously not only provides material for your resume and interviews but also powerfully rebuilds your confidence, shifting you from feeling like a victim to recognizing your own value.
• Reevaluate Your Desires: Transparency also means understanding your true desires, as Ken did when he realized a promotion he once wanted wouldn’t bring him happiness. This self-awareness can lead to entirely new, fulfilling paths.

R – Results: Making Your Value Undeniable

In a world where recruiters scan resumes in mere seconds, you need to make those seconds count.

• The “Full Test” Resume: Imagine folding the first page of your resume in half horizontally. Does that top half alone tell enough of your story to make someone want to keep reading, or even pick up the phone? Structure your resume with a strong summary upfront, followed by your top three career wins, and then clearly laid out key skills.
• Modernize Your Presence: Watch out for elements that might date you, like an old email address. Ensure your LinkedIn URL is customized and clean. Applicant tracking systems often struggle with photos on resumes, and some companies avoid them due to bias concerns.
• Focus on Accomplishments, Not Just Responsibilities: Your bullet points must scream results. Use phrases like “leading to,” “resulting in,” or “which achieved X.” Quantify whenever possible (e.g., “increased sales by 15%,” “cut costs by $50K”). Even qualitative results, like “improved team morale” or “streamlined a key process,” highlight your positive impact.

U – Understanding: Mastering Your Digital Footprint

With 75-80% of jobs coming through networking, your online presence, especially LinkedIn, is crucial for getting seen by the right people.

• LinkedIn as a Search Engine: Treat your LinkedIn profile like a search engine for your career. Populate it with relevant keywords (e.g., “project manager,” “digital marketing expert”) in your headline and summary. Be active by liking, commenting, and sharing content.
• Optimize Your Profile: Your picture should be professional yet authentic. Your headline is prime keyword real estate, and the first few lines of your “About” section are critical for compelling people to click “see more”. Include accomplishments, what you do, and always end with a call to action.
• Strategic Networking: Don’t send random connection requests. Connect with people in your target companies or industries, then interact thoughtfully with their content. This builds visibility, rapport, and can lead to introductions or insider information.
• Nail Virtual Interactions: With virtual interviews common, demonstrate your ability to work remotely, manage time, and use technology comfortably. A professional video presence sends a strong message.
• Consider a Video Resume: A short, one-minute video in your LinkedIn featured section can be a big differentiator. It allows you to introduce yourself, show personality, and demonstrate communication skills, making you stand out.

S – Simplifying: Conquering the Interview

Interviews are stressful, but preparation is winning before the battle even starts. Ken refers to Sun Tzu: “Victorious warriors win first and then go to war”.

• The Three Ps: Prepare, Practice, Practice:
  • Prepare: Research the company deeply (Google News, website, press releases). Research your interviewer on LinkedIn to find common ground. Don’t let ageism fears paralyze you; focus on being the best candidate for this job.
  • Practice: Say your answers out loud. This helps you catch awkward phrasing and solidifies your responses.
• Nail Your Opening and Closing: People remember the first and last things you say the most (the primacy-recency effect). Start with a strong, concise branding statement—Ken calls it the “art of hello”—10 words or less, like “I’m a project manager who delivers projects on time and under budget”. Close powerfully by reiterating your enthusiasm and reminding them of your key value proposition: you are the person who can solve their problem or achieve their goal.
• STAR Method with a “So What”: For your stories, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Ken adds a crucial fifth element: the “So What.” Explicitly connect your story back to their needs, explaining its relevance to the challenges they face. Have 5-10 solid STAR stories ready to adapt.

T – Teams: Building Your Support Network

Isolation is the enemy of the unemployed. Your network is your lifeline, making connection vital and job searching more effective.

• Start with Existing Relationships: Begin with colleagues, friends, past clients, or vendors.
• Build Relationships, Don’t Just Ask for Jobs: Networking is a two-way street about building relationships, learning, offering help, and seeking advice. These conversations lead to opportunities, introductions, or even direct referrals to hiring managers, bypassing the “black hole” of online applications.
• Leverage Your Network for Applications: If you see a job you love online, pause. Try to find someone in your network who can give you an in first, rather than just clicking “apply”.
• Personal Support System: Your “team” also includes your family and friends—the people who pick you up, remind you of your worth, and celebrate your successes. You need cheerleaders.

The Path Forward

Job searching can feel like a marathon, but remember Ken’s point: it only takes one “yes”. Every “no,” every interview that doesn’t pan out, just gets you closer to the “yes” that matters. Failure isn’t final; it’s information—a chance to learn, adjust, and grow. Keep going; that “yes” is out there.

The TRUST Success Model isn’t just a job search tool; Ken positions it as a continuous process. Even when employed, regularly assess: Am I transparent about my goals? Am I delivering results? Am I understanding my industry and online brand? Am I simplifying my work? Am I building my team? These habits build long-term career resilience and create opportunities, regardless of your employment status.

How could applying these ideas—knowing yourself, communicating your value, and strategically building relationships—change your entire career path? Not just for finding the next job, but for building a more intentional, resilient, and fulfilling professional life overall.

Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2025  

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