Laid Off Recently or Seeking a Career Change? These Six Strategies Will Help You

“Losing a job due to the incompetence of others is disheartening.” When Yan said this to me, it struck a chord, given his exceptional dedication and commitment to his work. Though he was an exceptional member of his team, he was caught in a series of layoffs that were no fault of his own.

Do you find yourself in a similar situation? Over the past two years, an increasing number of professionals are seeking new job opportunities on LinkedIn due to widespread layoffs or for a career transition. While it's natural to feel disappointed after losing a job, by following SIX strategic, you can rebound quickly, and even find yourself in a better role than before.

1) Clarify your professional direction:

Begin by assessing whether you wish to remain in your current field or explore different avenues. Job loss prompts introspection—consider whether you genuinely want another job or if entrepreneurial pursuits or teaching align better with your aspirations. Dedicate focused, early morning sessions to articulate your reasons for seeking employment and elucidate the rationale guiding your next steps. Here are two options you can consider:

·????? Career Explorer: It offers a comprehensive career test that assesses your interests, personality traits, and preferences in the workplace. It then matches you with a list of potential careers based on your responses.

·????? O*Net Interest Profiler: Created by the U.S. Department of Labor, it helps you find out what your interests are and how they relate to the world of work.

2)??? Assess yourself honestly:

Take the time to truly understand yourself professionally. Often, societal expectations or external pressures influence career choices that may not align with our innate preferences. Reflect on your genuine aspirations and objectives. Here are two ways you can do that:

·????? Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): Its one of the most widely accepted personality tests in the world. It categorizes individuals into 16 different personality types based on four parameters such as: Introversion/Extraversion, Sensing/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling, and Judging/Perceiving.

·????? 360 feedback review: Review the past three years’ performance feedback from your manager and colleagues to find out skill sets which they think you possess and the ones which needs more work. To take one step further, consider interviewing your colleagues to help you know better.

?The bottomline is you need to be true to yourself when accepting or rejecting feedback from the above two channels.

3)??Invest time in networking:?????????

Networking is the best way to find a new role, particularly when targeting mid-management or higher positions. Numerous job postings exist online, but cold applications usually yield little to no response.

• ?Leverage professional platforms like LinkedIn to reconnect with your former managers or colleagues. Request referrals within their organizations.
• Look for professional Meetup circles in your location to find like-minded career professionals.

Leveraging relationships not only offers insights into company culture and career progression but also demonstrates your commitment to walk an extra mile to secure the position you aspire for.

4)??? Cultivate Sponsorship:

While mentors offer invaluable guidance in navigating career hurdles, sponsors play a pivotal role in advocating for your advancement within or outside an organization. Sponsors actively work to carve out opportunities for your professional growth. ?Try these two avenues:

• Observe if ,in the last year, have you met someone who is a great advocate of people and at a senior level in the organization.
• Survey your colleagues asking if they have sponsors or know someone who goes out of the way to help people.
• Create a list of three potential sponsors and approach them with a clear agenda. Don’t just think about how they can help you, but how can you help them.

?

5)??? Engage with recruiter connections:

Recruiters keep a close watch on the job market and a great means for potential opportunities. A thoughtful way such as below would be beneficial:

• Reach out to recruiters listed in your LinkedIn network.
• Inquire about potential opportunities suitable for your profile.
• Initiate brief virtual meetings to articulate your current objectives, situation, and seek their insights.
• Request feedback on your resume to enhance its effectiveness in the job market.

6)??? Patience is not inactivity:

Finding a job mirrors a game of chess, requiring patience and persistence. Embrace a positive mindset and engage in productive activities, even when unemployed. Utilize idle periods constructively by assisting family, consuming professional literature, or enrolling in online courses for self-improvement. These endeavors contribute to personal development and maintain momentum during the job search.

?

Following these strategic guidelines can significantly enhance your position in the job market. While a definitive timeframe for securing a new role cannot be guaranteed, these efforts will undoubtedly place you in a better professional standing. I shared these strategies with Yan and hope to hear from him soon about their impact. Were you laid off because of someone else's incompetence? Let me know in the comments.

?

?