What do you do if your career takes a major hit and you need to rebuild your resilience?

When your career faces a major hit, it’s crucial to rebuild resilience by taking a step back to reflect and reassess your goals. Embrace the setback as a learning opportunity, focusing on what it teaches you about your strengths and areas for growth. Expand your network, seeking advice and support from mentors and peers. Update your skills through courses or workshops relevant to your desired career path. Finally, set small, achievable goals to regain confidence and momentum. #CareerResilience #BounceBack #ProfessionalGrowth

OCTOBER 15TH, 2008 ... That is the day the U.S. economy crashed and we entered into the worst recession since the great depression. I am a professional speaker. Debbie and I were in London' on business. Our gross revenues were more than $7Million dollars in 2007 but 2008 had not been that kind. We were down to 8 employees, and 6000 feet of upscale offices. We flew home and closed our offices, laid off the remaining employees except our in-house IT/website guy. We donated our furniture and computers to the city rescue mission and brought the business home. It was just Debbie and I now. My seminar's attendance dropped dramatically but then so did our business overhead. That is when we got in the 'Conference Business'.

Acceptance is the hidden intention behind this first step. Only after we “accept” that the situation is what it is, can we begin to rebuild our career from a solid (psychological) foundation. This does not mean agreeing, welcoming, or feeling glad or happened. Rather it’s about not holding on to the past or keep thinking things can/will go back to how they were. This is a new reality and the quicker you accept it, the less anger, frustration and resentment will control you. Yes, allow time to process what happened- but know that the goal of this first step is to get to acceptance.

If your career takes a hit, assess the damage, reflect on lessons, update skills, network, set clear goals, stay positive, seek feedback, explore alternatives, use resources, and remain resilient.

Assessing damage does not only include numbers and areas of your career. It also includes you as a person and the mental load this hit had on you. After you have an overview of the "career-damage" have a look on the impact it had on you, and what you need to be able to start anew. You might need some extra support from friends and family, maybe professional help to deal with effects like loss of self-confidence and motivation. It could be existence-threating and you feel anxious. An event like this can impact you on so many levels, so make sure you take care of yourself as well.

Reach out to friends, family members, mentors, or colleagues who can offer emotional support, guidance, and encouragement during this challenging time. Don't hesitate to seek professional support from career coaches, counselors, or support groups if needed. Surrounding yourself with a supportive network can provide valuable perspective and help you navigate the rebuilding process more effectively.

Following up on that, similar to health where when we are no longer able to diagnose what is happening within our bodies, so we seek assistance from medical professionals. In this context as well, if we lack experience, we need to borrow experience from a mentor. If we don't know their skills, we need to be trained by a trainer. And so forth.

I agree wholeheartedly with this statement. Despite facing challenges and negativity, prioritizing encouragement and seeking support is crucial. Whether from mentors, peers, or professionals, receiving guidance and motivation can provide valuable insights and strategies for overcoming setbacks. Asking for help is a strength, highlighting our willingness to learn and grow from the experiences around us.

As a Salesforce QA engineer, recognizing that you don't have to navigate career setbacks alone is essential. Seeking support from mentors, peers, or a professional coach can offer invaluable perspectives and guidance. They provide not only encouragement but also help in identifying overlooked opportunities and devising strategies to overcome challenges. Understanding that asking for help demonstrates strength rather than weakness is crucial in fostering personal and professional growth in the face of setbacks.

Seeking support for maximum strategy entails a comprehensive approach that involves meticulous planning, resource allocation, and continuous evaluation. It requires a collaborative effort where all stakeholders are engaged in a dialogue to identify objectives, set achievable goals, and devise a robust plan of action. This strategic support maximizes efficiency and effectiveness, ensuring that every decision made is data-driven and aligned with the overarching mission of the organization.

Investing time in yourself is always a great idea. Learning how to be a part of technology as it evolves, learning about a new industry or new vertical in your current industry will be a confidence builder. Reading a new business book and engaging in the discipline of putting new ideas into practice can also be empowering. Set a goal and get busy!

The most important thing one can do for themselves is consistently hone in on their skills. If you know you aren’t good at public speaking, practice! Practice it, ask for feedback, adjust and adapt. Leveraging your network and colleagues to propel yourself and also give yourself more confidence that you are talented and have the skill set to do so.

Take the transition time necessary to breathe and reset. Reevaluate your goals, what brings meaning to you as you consider new opportunities.

Invest in yourself by acquiring new skills, knowledge, or certifications that are relevant to your desired career path or industry. Consider taking online courses, attending workshops, or pursuing advanced degrees to enhance your expertise and marketability. By continuously learning and updating your skills, you can position yourself for future opportunities and overcome any gaps caused by the setback.

I completely agree with this statement. Continuous learning is essential, especially after experiencing a career setback. The dynamic nature of the job market demands that individuals continuously update their skills to remain competitive. Whether through formal education, online courses, or self-study, investing in skill enhancement not only increases employability but also boosts confidence and adaptability in navigating future challenges. It's indeed a never-ending journey of growth and development.

Take the opportunity to redefine your personal brand and professional identity in light of the career setback. Identify your unique strengths, values, and passions, and articulate them effectively to potential employers or clients. Update your resume, LinkedIn profile, and portfolio to reflect your updated skills, experiences, and career aspirations. For example, after experiencing a setback, I revamped my personal brand by highlighting my resilience, adaptability, and growth mindset, which resonated with prospective employers and clients.

Undeniably, with external changes, choosing to be agile as a form of adaptation, we may choose to rebrand. However, it's important to consider our strengths and weaknesses. This means that our strengths should not be lost just because we are changing our brand. The ability to add and strengthen so that rebranding can be a reinforcement rather than a weakening.

Intentionality and purpose craft a person’s brand. I’ve been in the automotive industry since 2007 and I’ve seen the ups and the downs come and go. 99% of people fear rebranding themselves as they believe what they do is working; the same people do not adapt to change well and typically work harder and not smarter. It’s ok to rebrand using your most recent functional expertise to guide the way. What are you passionate about and what gift(s) do you possess that you can use to guide others? That’s your new brand and your new purpose.

In my experience, it didn’t hit a major rock but I needed to transition. I’ll say it over and over again. These 3 things helped me 1. Rebrand (Acquire new skills): Take time off to master a high paying skill or two complementary skills. Trust me it pays. 2. Blow your trumpet: Don’t brag about it, but you are your first advertiser. Let people know what you can do and what you’ve learned newly. Never keep quiet. 3. Network: Volunteer, join bodies, groups, go for events, help out. You will love yourself for it!

Rebranding represents a pivotal moment in a company's evolution and can be a powerful catalyst for renewed enthusiasm and commitment. It's an opportunity to reevaluate and refresh the brand's identity, aligning it more closely with current goals, values, and the needs of the market. When executed thoughtfully, rebranding can invigorate your team, attract new customers, and rekindle the original passion that sparked the inception of your business.

Expand and leverage your professional network to explore new opportunities, gain insights, and connect with potential mentors or collaborators. Attend industry events, networking mixers, or virtual meetups to meet new contacts and build relationships. Utilize online platforms such as LinkedIn to stay connected with industry peers and recruiters. By networking strategically, you can uncover hidden job opportunities and access valuable resources to support your career rebuilding efforts.

Building your network is one of the most valuable things you can do in your career. This is how I received my position and how one of my friends did as well. We attended a conference together to expand our knowledge and industry connections, and we left with a stack of business cards that had all offered advice, knowledge, and potential jobs. My current job came from the recommendation of someone in my network, and my friend’s position came from a mentor she met at this conference who offered her the job after speaking about her then current position that she had put in her resignation. These connections can offer advice, be a potential coworker or boss or be a familiar face in the industry. You never know how networking will benefit you.

The challenge in building a network is the desire to establish transactional relationships. The paradox is that when everything happens purely transactionally, we will gain no more than if we build a network based on sincerity. Therefore, build a network as a platform for us to add value to others; transactional interactions are merely a consequence of the relationships we build. The usefulness of relationships is more valuable than exploiting them.

In the dynamic landscape of the modern workplace, networking can be likened to making a strategic investment. Just as with any investment, building and nurturing professional relationships in the workplace requires time, effort, and sometimes stepping out of one's comfort zone. However, the returns on this investment can be significant in the long run. By actively engaging with colleagues, superiors, and industry peers, individuals can not only gain valuable insights, knowledge, and support, but also position themselves for greater career opportunities and personal growth. Much like a sound financial investment that yields increasing dividends over time, cultivating a robust professional network can lead to numerous long-term benefits.

This is actually a current situation for me. A positive frame of mind is absolutely necessary. Once we let negativity in, it starts to impact who we are as people. We become negative to those around us and I firmly believe that negative thoughts create negative outcomes.

Keeping it real, when we are devastated, the last thing we can access is positivity. It is so important to allow yourself to process what happened, safely, with support wherever possible, and let the feelings be expressed. This is one of our biggest hold ups as a human and those things we stuff always come back around. Circling back to positivity, seeking markers of things that bring you joy and inspiration is critical. Our ego is crushed when something like this happens and it will stay stuck if you don't lead your passage through. Plant positivity in your weeks, like a creative date, or a coffee date with yourself exploring an interest or a book. Or a trip to a museum or a live show. Positivity is accessed through JOY! Plan it.

Absolutely, maintaining a positive mindset is crucial, especially during challenging times. By focusing on what you can control and celebrating small wins, you can keep your motivation high and inspire those around you. Your positive attitude not only impacts your own resilience but also creates a supportive environment for others. Embracing optimism can lead to innovative solutions and opportunities for growth, ultimately helping you navigate through tough situations with resilience and determination.

I like to think that every closed door is an opportunity to re-assess life-goals and priorities. Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned and redirection will lead to better things ahead! I often think of Edison’s quote, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

Speak to someone that you trust, that cares about you, that has also 'been through it.' When you take a hit to your resilience, ego, confidence, professionalism, it is super hard to quickly bounce back. When it happened to me, whilst I reached out to some, and others leaned in, those that had experienced my pain were able to more easily connect with me, and I was more open to listening to them.

Having experienced this even now, some of the steps that I personally try to follow: 1. Accept and own the situation. Believe in yourself and know something will happen, it's just a matter of time. 2. Plan finances to build your budget to sustain at least for 6 months. It is given that one should always be prepared for worse and build an emergency fund. 3. Share the situation with your close ones. Who else will support in times of need. 4. Plan your next steps regarding your career, keep it open and flexible basis the time that you have. Try to keep timelines basis which you will re-look at the plan. 5. Be shameless in reaching out to people. 6. Keep upskilling 7. Stay around loved ones and engage yourself in fun and healthy activities

Set SMART Goals: Establish clear, specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals to guide your career rebuilding efforts. Break down your goals into manageable steps and track your progress regularly. Embrace Flexibility: Remain flexible and adaptable in your approach to rebuilding your career, as unexpected opportunities or challenges may arise along the way. Stay open to exploring alternative paths or adjusting your plans as needed. Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate small victories and milestones as you rebuild your career resilience. Recognize your achievements and progress, no matter how incremental, to boost your confidence and motivation.

Recomeçar é tão necessário quanto continuar a jornada. Por diversas razões, profissionais de comunicação e demais áreas podem sentir a necessidade de recomeçar, mudar ou efetivamente recalcular a rota de suas carreiras. A mudança de trabalho, setor, ou mesmo função são algumas dessas necessidades. Assumir as próprias necessidades e expectativas é o primeiro passo dessa jornada. Na sequências, estabelecer metas factíveis e trabalhar nelas com prazos estabelecidos também pode contribuir para o sucesso dessa caminhada. Não ter medo de mudanças e efetivamente assumir o controle da jornada é uma das características que pode contribuir diretamente para o sucesso dessa estratégia.

A career setback is not a punishment, but instead a career setback is designed to prepare one for their next stage of responsibility.