It happens! It is a fact that life throws unexpected events at you. Changes that can happen at the most inopportune times are part of our professional life. Changes in leadership, reorganizations, outsourcing, automation, and relocations have become so common that almost everyone encounters them. You can change the way others think about you if you respond to these events well.
My boss called me into his office when I was halfway through my first rotation. I couldn't imagine what he was going to say when he looked serious. He told me that 10% of the people I worked with were going to be laid off. I was in the corporate world for less than a year. I was completely shocked. He said that this is something that you and your generation will experience throughout your career. The man was correct.
At the time, most companies had a rule of lifetime employment. There was a time when people started their careers with a company and were expected to retire there. There was a stigma attached to being laid off. It became an obstacle to find a new job when people assumed it was due to low performance.
There are a lot of layoffs in the corporate culture. Employees are more acclimatized to the uncertainty of their jobs and company loyalty has largely disappeared The rise of passive job seekers is a result of this culture. Even though they're satisfied with their current job, many people are willing to discuss new opportunities. It's said that the best time to find a job is when you have one.
Unless you are incredibly lucky, you will most likely be laid off or forced to look for a new job. When your intuition tells you that something is going to happen, you can be surprised. It's possible that you have a good reputation and good reviews. Being successful doesn't always mean recognition and advancement.
If it happens to you, what should you do? It is difficult to not take it personally. It's possible that events that affect you may not be fair. Don't look in the mirror after these events. How you respond will get the attention of other people. It will be considered immature to whine or complain. It's possible to close the door on other opportunities.
It's best to focus on the future. New doors opening and opportunities for the next chapter in your career can always be counted on.
A plan is needed to guide you through the transition. Understand what you can and can't do. Do you want to work for a company or roles? You should be prepared to give this information to other people once you have prioritized these. A one-page personal profile will help others understand what you want to do in the future. This is not the same as a resume orCV. A resume is a summary of your experience. A personal profile gives a description of the roles you are interested in, your core strengths, and what kinds of companies you want to work for. The sections should have something in them.
Ask questions when you're looking for a new job. Can you imagine where this job will take you? Will the new job allow you to advance in your career? Is it going to expose you to new responsibilities or expand your skills? The company might be an industry leader. Is the culture and leadership positive for employees?
It's important to have a plan for dealing with unexpected things. You want to give yourself options. You don't want to make a hasty decision that will cause you to end up in another situation. It will be difficult to accept a job that you don't want in the long run.
Doors will close unexpectedly. Being prepared to face unknowns is part of career agility. It is important to create a financial safety net and take a proactive approach to the job market. You can weather career detours and downturns if you have a plan.
There is a mini survival guide.
Saving three months of expenses is a good benchmark. It's better to see you through six to twelve months. It's difficult to save money, let alone to save enough to cover a year's worth of expenses, but this is your best insurance against being forced to make undesirable career decisions.
Do you know your worth in similar roles? Stay up to date on what jobs are in demand. If you want to work with a recruiters, you should look into compensation of your skills and experience. Information is a crucial hedge to hasty decisions that come from unforeseen situations.
Don't stop connecting with your network. Your network is made up of people you have met in professional settings. If you need to rely on someone in your network, you should know who they are. Make sure that your social media profiles and resume are current. The roles you are most interested in finding should be included. When they are going through their own transitions, offer to help others.
Think about what types of jobs you're willing to take on. Do you want to change industries? Is it possible to move? Do you want to take a reduction in compensation? Would you like to start your own business? Don't wait until a job change happens to know the answers.
Doors will close unexpectedly. Being prepared to face unknowns is part of career agility. It is important to create a financial safety net and take a proactive approach to the job market. You can weather career detours and downturns if you have a plan. When a door closes, be aware of the stress, but be positive about the opportunities that will arise when new doors open.
"Advice to My Younger Self" was the source of this article. Jeffrey Fleischman's work is copyrighted.
The story was first published on Business Insider.
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