Day in and day out, we have the ability to choose between a glass-half-empty or glass-half-full perspective. Many days we adopt a mix of both. But the day a job lay-off comes unexpectedly, it's decidedly difficult to stay optimistic. Until now, that is. That's right, even with our economy on the rocks and the unemployment rate at 10.6 percent, there is reason to believe that the day we are fired may be the first day of a new chapter in our careers. If you have had doubts about your career path, were unhappy or unfulfilled in your job or you simply felt that you had unrealized potential, you now have a second chance. Lucky you! Find out how to seize the day, reevaluate your career and maybe even start anew.
Most people who experience a lay-off set out to find a new job right away. In a slow economy, this process can be both futile and frustrating. If financially possible (perhaps you left your former position with a severance package or you have savings that you are willing to use as temporary living expenses), consider setting aside a period of time to reevaluate your career path. This could mean weeks or months. If you have been entirely unhappy with your position, this opportunity can be life-changing. Start by taking a Myers-Briggs assessment test, which can identify the personality traits that make you well-suited to a particular career. Perhaps you took a similar test in high school or college; now is the time to take one again. It's widely known that people change, their interests shift and they develop new skills. The career that was right for you at 20 may be as well suited for you at the age 35. Use the outcome of your assessment to consider where you would excel in the professional world. Then research the training and skills needed to get there.
If you believe that you are generally on the correct career path, but you felt unrealized potential in your former position, use your lay-off as an opportunity to reassess your resume and your skills. Are there development courses or other advanced classes that you could take to further your knowledge in your career area? Perhaps you would benefit from a general career development course that will encourage your networking, your interview skills and your overall productivity and presence in the office. Use this time to develop your expertise and your confidence. If you felt boredom and lack of momentum or goals in your former position, this could be the time to change.
If you do feel strongly that it's time to make a career change, do not consider your past career a failure. Remember that your collective experiences make you who you are today, and perhaps you were not ready for a new career only a few years ago. You now have the opportunity to set new goals and create a separate path that can lead to a new milestone. You are in a unique place, as most people with job security are unlikely to change careers, even if they feel strongly that they are not suited to their current work. Be brave, trust your instincts and arm yourself with skills and education and you will be off to a strong start in your new venture. And if you're staying put on your current path, be patient, use your unemployment time to learn and grow, and prepare to reenter your career stronger than ever before.
