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Q: I’ve been laid off from my job, and I’m struggling with my next step. I’m trying to remain positive and to see this as an opportunity, but it hasn’t been easy. On a practical level, how can I use these circumstances as a stepping stone for growth?
A: Losing a job, whether due to the economic fallout of COVID-19 or for a different reason, is never easy. Choosing to view this time as an opportunity instead of a crisis is commendable and will likely have positive long-term effects on your career path.
Let’s take a look at some practical steps you can take as you embark on a new direction in your life.
Take a giant step back.
Before making any efforts to find a new job, take a moment to look at where you stand career-wise. Did you feel trapped at your old job, or were you truly happy? Where do you want to go next? Would a complete pivot be in your best interest, or would you do better with just a small career shift, such as a change in position within the same field?
Here are some questions you can ask yourself to help you gain clarity on your future career path:
If you have trouble answering some questions, you can do this quick thought exercise: Close your eyes, breathe deeply until you are fully relaxed, and try to let your mind float freely. Picture yourself waking up in the morning and going off to your dream job. What job is it? Your subconscious might help you out here.
Narrow down your choices
Once you have some idea of what you’d like to do now, jot down your job options and review them carefully. Which of these choices is best for you? Narrow down your list until you have less than five options.
Consider these factors as you work through the list:
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Build a killer resume
Your resume is your passport to that dream job. Make yours stand out from the pack by polishing it until it truly shines.
Creating a brilliant resume is going to take some work, but you don’t have to go it alone. You can download a basic resume template from any resume building site. You can also hire a professional resume writer. It’s not cheap, but if you’re looking for a managerial job, it can be vital.
As you work on your resume, make sure to include all the basics, including your complete educational background, full career history, and a select few references who can vouch for your skills and reliability. It’s also a good idea to highlight accomplishments, such as projects or campaigns you’ve initiated, led and/or successfully completed at your previous place of employment. Triple-check the spelling and grammar and have a friend look it over to provide some feedback before submitting your resume to a potential employer.
Network and job-hunt
The easiest way to land a dream job is to have a foot in the door of a company. A friend or family member who knows of a perfect position can help you out here, but only if they know you’re looking for a job. Spread the word to everyone you know. Share your resume with anyone you reach out to so they have a better idea of your career choices. Social media can be a big help here, too, giving your messages a wider spread. Tell them about the kind of job you’re seeking and ask if they know of any open positions that might suit you. They can also help out by providing contacts who can lead you in the right direction. Follow up every few weeks to remind people that you’re still job-hunting.
If friends and family can’t help you out, you can also lookup available positions in your chosen field and pursue them directly. Online job boards like Indeed.com and Careerbuilder.com can be a great place to start your search.
Finding that dream job can take several weeks or even several months. You may want to use this time to build up your skills by investing in a course or a lecture series given by a professional in your chosen field.
Hopefully, your efforts will soon pay off, and you’ll find that dream career. You may look back at your present unemployment in a few years and begin to appreciate it for the blessing in disguise it was.