In this episode of the EVOLVE Talent & HR Show, Anna Morgan sits down with Vanita Capobianco for an honest and energizing conversation about layoffs, career insurance, personal branding, networking, visibility, and what it really means to build a career that can withstand unexpected change.
After spending a decade in HR technology and operations and working her way from analyst to senior director, Vanita never expected to be laid off from the company where she thought she would retire. But that unexpected career disruption became a turning point—pushing her to rethink what career security really means and what she wanted to build for herself.
Vanita shares what those first weeks after her layoff actually felt like, from losing her work community and identity to waking up without a team or a place she needed to be. Instead of immediately applying to hundreds of jobs, she took a more intentional approach—getting clear on her salary expectations, work environment, and the opportunities she actually wanted.
Anna and Vanita also unpack the power of relationships and career breadcrumbs. Vanita's next opportunity came partly through a former professional relationship that helped get her resume in front of the hiring manager. But that connection wasn't created during her job search—it was built over ten years of working relationships and consistent touchpoints.
The conversation then turns to LinkedIn and the importance of building your professional visibility before you need it. Vanita explains how her approach to social media completely changed after her layoff—from primarily sharing company content to documenting her own experiences, mindset shifts, books, running journey, and everyday life. Her story is a reminder that your professional identity is bigger than your job title.
Anna and Vanita also explore why being visible doesn't have to mean becoming an influencer. It can be as simple as starting conversations, commenting, sharing what you're learning, and allowing people to see the human being behind the résumé. They discuss the importance of understanding company social media policies, protecting confidential information, and giving yourself time before posting something emotional.
Finally, the conversation expands beyond individual career strategy into community, conferences, professional development, and saying yes to opportunities that feel uncomfortable. Vanita shares why she continues building her podcast even while working full time—and why creating something that brings you joy can be an important part of moving forward after a difficult season.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why being a great employee doesn't necessarily protect you from a layoff
What career insurance really looks like—and why you should build it before you need it
How Vanita navigated the emotional shock and uncertainty of being laid off
Why an intentional job search can be more powerful than applying to hundreds of roles
How long-term relationships and professional “breadcrumbs” can create unexpected opportunities
Why your network is only valuable when people know who you are and what you need
How to make specific, effective asks when reaching out to your network
Why professional visibility matters even when you're happily employed
How to start building a personal brand without becoming a full-time content creator
Why your LinkedIn presence should reflect more than your job title
What you should never post publicly about your employer
How investing in skills can help you bridge experience gaps during a job search
Why confidence and storytelling can be just as important as technical experience
How saying yes to unexpected opportunities can expand your network and perspective
Why conferences and communities can be powerful investments in career growth
How finding something that brings you joy can help you move forward after a difficult season
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