Career Transitions: It’s more common than you think
Being laid off, cut, or deemed redundant, hits hard. Whether you saw it coming or you didn't, the change is emotionally jarring. In a world of continuous change (AI, post‑COVID shifts, “Great Flattening”), this is far from rare. And it’s not just about losing your job or position or even income, it’s about identity and purpose, the core of what gets us up and moving every day. After a layoff, self‑doubt, anxiousness about the future, and how to reboot or reinvent a career sets in. Where and how to start loom large.
As with any loss, you need to grieve it, recognize the pain, sit with it, and then intentionally shift.
So how do you begin to do that?
]Acknowledge the loss: Change is rarely easy, especially when it is not of your choosing. Take time to acknowledge, even embrace, the loss. Give yourself permission to process the emotions that come up and don’t push them down. The sooner you come to accept the loss, the easier it will become to begin to focus on what comes next.
Take an inventory: Identify the skills, roles, and responsibilities you loved about your job and industry. Be honest about what you did not like and where you did not excel and think strategically about what makes sense moving ahead. Your title is just that, but what you did and what resonates with you is what matters.
Reposition your skills and talents: Your expertise is transferable. Critical thinking, strategy, leadership, even some of the technical aspects of your career and role - problem‑solving, are transferable across industries. Be intentional about identifying those skills.
Think out of the box: You don’t have to default to a similar job or even industry. Begin to explore how you can leverage your experience in other fields that would benefit from your skills and expertise.
Be patient with yourself: Any transition takes time. And while you may need to get something right away for financial security, that doesn’t mean you cannot keep exploring opportunities that are better aligned with your goals.
Five practical steps to build momentum:
Network intentionally. Set weekly goals for networking. Connect with former colleagues and friends who can make referrals, provide ideas, or insights about the job market and potential opportunities. Be sure to include people across and beyond your industry.
Get out of the home bubble. Work from a coffee shop or coworking space—serendipitous conversations can spark opportunity.
Set realistic goals. Create daily goals for job search, networking, and meetings. Avoid burnout and be intentional about your time. You likely have other responsibilities and need to make space for the changes in your daily routine.
Work with a coach or mentor. Having an objective perspective can keep you accountable to your goals. Coaches are a safe space to process not only the emotional aspects of your transition but also reframing your approach so that you continue to move forward in a resilient and productive manner.
Don't give up. A job or career transition takes time. It requires reflection, stops and starts, and taking breaks. When you feel like you're spinning in circles, stop. Take a break and come back to it with fresh eyes and mindset. While the change in and of itself initially feels intrusive, over time, it can afford you the opportunity to find something far more fulfilling.