Losing a job, whether you get fired, laid off or downsized, is a wake-up call. Getting axed is a setback. But it doesn't have to be a career death sentence. Use it as a learning experience.
"It's an opportunity for a career reset," said Priya Rathod, career trends expert at Indeed, a job search website. "It's not the end of your career. I know it can feel like it, but it's not."
Got Fired? You're Not Alone
Job cuts are showing up. The U.S. unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.2% in May. But U.S.-based employers announced 93,816 job cuts in May, up 47% from the same period a year ago, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
"Companies are spending less, slowing hiring and sending layoff notices," said Andrew Challenger, senior VP of Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
When a pink slip hits, figure out what happened. How can you propel your career going forward? "This is not about blame," said Rathod. "It's really about building self-awareness. You want to thrive in your next role. And you do that by understanding what went wrong."
Sometimes, there's a reason why people don't succeed at certain jobs, says Steve Faulkner, an insurance recruiter and president of the Spencer James Group, a recruitment agency.
"If you are in sales and your goal last year was X and you missed it, and this year you missed your goal again and got fired, maybe the postmortem is telling you that you're not good enough at this job and perhaps sales isn't for you," said Faulkner.
Identify A Work Environment That Works For You
Success at work is often about the job and company fitting your skill set and personality. If you are an introvert and don't work well under pressure, for example, working in a high-stress, people-focused sales environment with demanding bosses probably isn't going to work for you.
Your job is to do a better job of picking the right company, says Faulkner.
Be Open To Closing Skill Gaps If You Get Fired
At some jobs, being proficient in specific software, crunching numbers on a spreadsheet or using artificial intelligence is a prerequisite. But thriving in other jobs might require so-called "soft skills," or more people-focused abilities such as being a good communicator, teamwork and problem-solving.
If you lack technical skills, develop them. And don't underestimate the importance of soft skills. Often, even the most technically skilled workers fall short when it comes to soft skills and get let go because of that weakness.
Update Your Resume
An updated resume — and social media profile — is your first step to a next gig. But before you upload it to job sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor and Monster, make sure your resume is polished and focuses on your experiences and skills rather than simply a list of jobs, dates and job titles, advises Rathod.
"Instead of doing a chronological resume, do an experienced-based one," said Rathod. Once you've determined what type of work you'd like to pursue next, make sure your skill set is up to date. It could make sense, for example, to gain proficiency in AI, as it relates to the specific job you're seeking.
And as the old saying goes, it's not what you know but who you know. Start networking and touching base with friends and professional contacts to see what's out there and if anyone's hiring.
"Do check-ins with mentors, peers or people you respect that you have a good relationship with," said Rathod. "Let them know that you want to get back out there (in the work world)."
Browse Online Job Search Platforms
It's time to see what jobs are available on the myriad job search platforms that list job listings. Using keywords, search by industry, job title, experience level, salary and specific skills.
But it's not enough to see a job that catches your eye on a platform like Indeed or Monster and simply send in your resume like the rest of the world does, says Faulkner. You must network with a focus on the company with the job opening.
Enlist The Help Of A Recruiter
If you have old recruiter contacts that phoned you with job opportunities back when you were working, let them know you're now searching for a new job. It's best to identify experienced recruiters focused on your job niche, says Faulkner.
