Here's how you can turn a layoff into personal and professional growth.

I’ve been through this personally and my mentor and step-father had me retake a Meyers’s Briggs assessment and then sent me a book called “Do What You Are”. It was very insightful on not only to look at a new career based on my skills but equally based on my passion!

Not from a layoff, but I can provide the perspective from an independent consulting angle (which at the beginning, has the same stress conditions of a layoff .. uncertainty, no safety nets, low key anxiety ..). The first thing is to not immediately react, the very day of the layoff and start a flurry of job applications. More important to let the emotions flow through as much as possible while you do some low intensity activity .. sitting down, taking a walk, staring into the distance .. whatever. Then take stock of your experience, your skills, your soft skills, accomplishments, professional network, resume status, target roles, potential organisations, etc. Even if it takes a couple of days, the way forward will be clear and calm.

I mentioned in a similar article that you should take time to acknowledge the emotional impact of the layoff. Allow yourself to grieve, but also focus on building emotional resilience. Reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. You can also consider seeking professional counseling or coaching to navigate this transition effectively.

During times of change or transition, deep reflection allows individuals to gain clarity, insight, and understanding of their values, goals, and aspirations. By taking the time to reflect deeply, individuals can identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth, enabling them to make informed decisions and take purposeful actions. Deep reflection also fosters resilience, adaptability, and emotional intelligence, as individuals learn to navigate challenges, setbacks, and uncertainties with greater insight and perspective. Ultimately, deep reflection empowers individuals to cultivate a sense of purpose, direction, and fulfillment in their personal and professional lives, leading to greater overall well-being and success.

Nunca olvidaré que la empresa donde dediqué los mejores a?os de mi vida, me hizo sentir tan mal al momento de invitarme a renunciar. Tantos a?os de mi vida con la camiseta tatuada y bien puesta fueron desechadas en un segundo. Sentí pánico? si; sentí miedo? si; pensé que se me caía el mundo? si. Pero no fue así. Al desvincularme laboralmente, entendí que la que perdía era la empresa no yo, se perdían un talentazo como el mío. Empecé a disfrutar momentos con mi familia, empecé a realizar actividades que dejé de hacer muchos a?os por ser la primera en llegar a la oficina y la última en irme; empecé a sentirme viva! Gracias por hacer que saliera de mi zona de confort ya que ese terremoto me convirtió en la persona que soy hoy!

Very valuable, highly underrated and understated topic - upskill. Even if it takes you just a week to land your next role, it is worth squeezing in a couple of courses to increase your own knowledge, as well as demonstrate your commitment to prospective employers. I suspect the vast majority of us, myself included, don't do anywhere close to what we really can in terms of upskilling. From YouTube to Udemy to Coursera to the big universities, there are options everywhere to explore.

Something to consider is whether you want to pivot to a new field or industry. Invest in continuous learning as often as you can by taking online courses, attending workshops, or obtaining certifications. Developing new skills will enhance your marketability and open up new opportunities.

I have always taken advantage of lulls in my career by grabbing a new cert or taking a course about technology I don't know well. I'm testing for C|CISO and CvCISO in the next few weeks.

Upskilling yourself is a proactive approach to personal and professional development that involves acquiring new skills or enhancing existing ones to stay competitive and adaptable in today's rapidly changing job market. Whether prompted by a layoff, career transition, or a desire for advancement, upskilling offers numerous benefits. It expands your knowledge base, increases your marketability, and opens up new opportunities for career growth. Upskilling can take various forms, including online courses, workshops, certifications, or hands-on training.

Scan the open jobs you want and are well-suited for. What certifications or skills are they looking for that you don't have? If there's a company you'd like to work for with no open roles, ask someone at that company for their insight.

I would suggest strengthening your professional network. Connect with former colleagues, mentors, and industry peers. Attend virtual networking events and engage in meaningful conversations.

LinkedIn is a great tool for expanding your network. Look for 2nd degree connections at your companies of interest and ask your connections for an introduction. Reaching out to alums of your school/program is also very likely to end up in a new connection.

Do not be shy about reaching out to colleagues from years past. Everyone at some point in their career is either part of a lay-off themselves or been the ones laying people off. Professionals understand it happens and do not see it as a negative reflection on your trajectory and can become your biggest allies.

In the past where you worked meant a hole lot. Today, with LinkedIn and other channels the brand is you. And you can control and enhance your brand. Once you've got an understanding on your future intrests start sharing and spearding your knowledge and personal point of view. Good luck ;)

To present yourself, you may need to: -Self-Reflection: Identify strengths and passions. -Define Audience: Target specific demographic or industry. -Craft Narrative: Develop compelling personal story. -Online Presence: Build professional profiles. -Content Creation: Share insights and expertise. -Networking: Connect with peers, attend events. -Authenticity: Stay true to personal values.

Resume and LinkedIn Profile refreshes are most important--ask colleagues in your industry to review them, and seek connections with recruiters to get their insight on making your brand stand out. Find some way to contribute to your professional community, whether through an online forum, writing blogs, LinkedIn posts, or whatever feels manageable. Creating content keeps you intellectually engaged in your field and demonstrates your knowledge to hiring managers and recruiters.

Easier said than done, and probably borderline philosophical topic, but definitely valid beyond doubt. I would like to take a root cause approach to stay positive, from a larger picture and for the long run. In M Scott Peck's wonderful book "The road less traveled", he talks about many aspects of the human psychology that drive patterns of behaviour - transference, projection, etc. The human tendency is to dwell and brood over negatives and spiral into lower emotional states. One practice that has helped me greatly in staying positive is gratitude journaling. .. Every single thing I can be happy for on a daily basis, big or small, and repetitive or not .. breath of air, morsel of food, friend I had and have, and so much much more

This is the step many of us kind of short circuit as we recoil and then react from a high stress situation (such as a layoff), rather than allowing ourselves what we are absolutely entitled to: Calm, steady, confident, objective assessment of the current situation, and a logical, consistent plan of approach, while knowing that things will change for the better. To prevent reactive tendencies, we must first accept the situation as it is, without resistance. This is to our own advantage, so we can then plan from reality rather than denial.

To plan for your job, you may need to: -Set Objectives: Define clear, achievable goals. -Analyze Environment: Assess internal and external factors. -Identify Resources: Determine available assets and constraints. -Develop Strategies: Create plans to achieve objectives. -Allocate Resources: Distribute resources effectively. -Implement Plans: Execute strategies systematically. -Monitor Progress: Track performance and adjust as needed.

Sometimes layoffs comes as a surprise, sometimes its because of reducing the number of workers, it can be because of low performance or lack of chemistry. In my way of looking at things, it can be for the best. Not as a cosmic agenda, there was a reason you were chosen and you will benefit from the change, it will do you good to be where they want to have you.

Engage in activities that bring you joy. Pursue hobbies, learn a musical instrument, or volunteer for a cause you’re passionate about. Sometimes, unexpected layoffs can lead to exciting ventures or entrepreneurial pursuits.

Layoffs are a part of business. It happens to most people at some point in their careers, for a variety of reasons. You are not alone. Finding a network of others that can empathize with your current situation will help you on the psychological side of this.

Consider this change from both strategic and operational perspectives. From a strategic perspective, focus on what has changed since your previous position. Take into account the internal developments within your organization as well as the broader market or industry environment. From an operational perspective, assess your strengths and weaknesses. Identify emerging tools and techniques, including the development of soft skills.

One thing I was advised to do, which I found helpful, was to allow myself to embrace all the emotional turmoil that comes with being made redundant, including the anger, frustration, and confusion. Then, I started redirecting those emotions by putting a plan in place.