Perhaps you are still coming to terms with the mood of the times. If recent news reports are any indication, it seems like we are experiencing unprecedented massive layoffs all around the world. Many people will be out of a job sooner than you may have expected. If you have been affected one way or another, following are a few suggestions on making the most of your career transition:
Outplacement services. If your company has provided for extra professional services that aim to help you move into the next job or phase in life, then it may be a good idea to attend such seminars or workshops, if only to avoid getting all cooped up at home. You may also gain a new perspective. Likewise, meeting new people is also an excellent way of expanding your network.
Think business. If you have been employed all your life, then the most natural reaction would be to look for a job. If you think about it, however, the available jobs may not be sufficient to match the available workforce. Hence, it is in your best interest to consider starting your own enterprise. However, starting a business requires a different discipline that you need to learn.
Get an entrepreneur’s education. While you may have reached the highest postgraduate level in school, you will soon realize that entrepreneurship follows a different set of rules. If you’re keenly interested in starting your own business, reading good books or listening to worthwhile teachers would be time well spent. Getting some financial education is also important if you plan to be on your own.
Get to know yourself. Downtimes are a perfect opportunity to do some soul searching. If you haven’t done it yet, now would be a perfect time to find out what exactly life is asking from you. For some people, this also means going on a retreat. Perhaps you may wish to ask yourself what your mission in life is. By its etymology, your mission is not something you invent but rather, it is a God-given task.
Celebrate life. When many people got laid off in Wall Street a few months back, someone came up with the idea of holding a party exclusively for laid-off workers. Many people attended if only for the sake of networking with other people. While hosting such a party will obviously not solve one’s daily problems, it is always good to think positive. Truth is, there is more to life than a job. And perhaps this is your opportunity to discover what your life is all about, and how it can be much more meaningful than it ever was.