Laid Off, Burned Out, and Being Targeted

You’ve probably heard the job search version of “stay the course.” Keep applying. Keep networking. Keep pushing.

But after weeks of rejection or silence, staying the course doesn’t feel motivational,  it feels exhausting. And it doesn’t help that you’re navigating all of this in a hiring landscape where layoffs are up and legitimate job openings are mixed in with scams.

When the search gets hard, your guard drops. And that’s exactly when scammers show up.

Job Searching While Being Targeted

Right now, scammers are posing as recruiters on LinkedIn, emailing fake job offers, and reaching out with roles that sound great – until they ask for something they shouldn’t.

These scams are hitting laid-off federal employees hard. You’re experienced, skilled, and transitioning out of a world that runs on clear rules and verified processes. In the private sector, the lines are blurrier, and scammers take full advantage of that.

Some of the biggest red flags:

• “Recruiters” who contact you out of nowhere, offering jobs you didn’t apply for

• Vague job descriptions with buzzwords but no substance
• Job offers that come too fast, with no interview or verification
• Urgency to act immediately: “We’re hiring today” or “We just need a few more details…”
• Requests for personal info, payment, or even “training materials” up front

It’s not always obvious. Many of these scams look legitimate at first. But what they all have in common is pressure, vagueness, and speed –  the opposite of how good employers operate.

What Taking Action Actually Means

It’s very common to fall for something that in hindsight seems obvious. That doesn’t mean you’re careless. It means you’re human. When you’re pushing into overdrive each day, you’re already mentally drained. And job searching is harder than a job itself because you’re doing all the work without getting paid.

It’s a lot to carry. Give yourself some grace. Also recognize when you’re burned out because that’s when you’re most likely to miss red flags. Your mental well-being and your success are directly connected.

Think of your time like a portfolio. Every day you’re spending it somewhere: applying, refreshing email, second-guessing yourself, maybe even doom-scrolling job boards. Recalibrating your strategy means stepping back and asking:

• What roles have I actually applied for?
• Have I tracked where and when I applied, or am I just guessing?
• Did I hear back from any of them? If not, is there a contact I can follow up with?
• Are there a few jobs I really want and if so, have I done anything beyond hitting “submit”?
• Does my resume or profile reflect what those roles are actually looking for?

None of this is glamorous. But this is what smart job searching looks like: clear tracking, meaningful follow-up, and focused energy. It’s not about applying for everything. It’s about making sure you’re not losing momentum or clarity in the chaos.

Final Thought: Don’t Confuse Movement with Progress

This isn’t just about landing a job. It’s about navigating a difficult moment without making it worse by falling for scams, burning yourself out, or saying yes to something just to feel like you’re doing something.

Protect your time. Protect your data. Protect your energy. And if you need to pause for a day or two, that’s not failure. That’s strategy.