I Lost My Job – Now What?

Thanks to the global economic crisis that occurred several years ago, you've probably heard many friends and peers say things like, “I lost my job,” “I need to take a pay cut just to stay employed,” “I need to go back to school,” or “I can't find a new job.” These comments are usually uttered with some amount of desperation, and they are becoming all too common. Perhaps you became unemployed as a result of corporate downsizing or restructuring, in which case you might be asking yourself, “I lost my job – now what?” If this is the case, I want to assure you that there's no need to feel desperate. In fact, you have been given an opportunity to make your life and your career even more satisfying than it was when you were previously employed.

As an unemployed member of society, it's easy to feel bad about yourself, but I urge you to consider the limitless possibilities that lie ahead of you:

• You can choose virtually any career path you like
   

• You have the opportunity to assess your talents and skills for their true worth
   

• If you're ready for big changes, you can move to virtually any location

   

• You have time to craft a plan for your ideal future
   

• You have sole control over the direction of your life at this point
   

There are few times in your life that offer you as many opportunities and possibilities. If you're like many professionals, you probably haven't faced this situation since you graduated from college, though. Of course, that's a huge reason why you might feel desperate and out of options. You simply are not used to facing such a crossroads.

What do You do Now?

A lot of people have a hard time wrapping their brains around the idea of career change. We've been brought up to believe in a certain social contract that guarantees decades of gainful employment in exchange for hard work and loyalty. Therefore, the notion of making a career change can seem strange and alien.

It's time to shed your previous beliefs in the implied corporate social contract and embrace the possibilities that surround you. Working for someone else may have been the key to long-term employment in the past, but corporations can no longer be trusted to provide you with a safe, life-spanning career. The good news is that the current reality puts you in charge. The bad news is that you need to learn how to operate in this new world. Thankfully, this “bad” news is really good news in disguise.

Set Yourself up for a Satisfying New Career

Finding a job in the corporate world again is nothing more than a crapshoot. Why sit through countless interviews just so you can be offered a job that requires you to take a pay cut and obtain expensive certifications that require hours of class time (that you could probably teach)? I suggest that you take steps toward working for yourself. There are several career options that you can choose, but I believe that consulting is the ideal career for professionals who find themselves out of work. As a consultant, you can put your skills to work while making a meaningful difference in your community and the globe. You can also decide for yourself how many clients you need to take on to meet your income goals.

Perhaps the best aspect of consulting is that it will never lead you to say, “I lost my job – now what?” You might lose a client or two along the way, but you'll have a roster of clients to offset the loss. Plus, you can use your network and your skills to find replacements. To me, this is the true definition of job security.

The economic crisis may have cost you your previous career, but the loss of your job opens up a multitude of opportunities. Whether you choose consulting or some other path, you now have the chance to map the life and career that you've always desired. All you have to do is embrace your new reality and take the first step forward.

Are you wondering what to do now that you've lost your job? Do you have questions about a career in consulting? I encourage you to download and read the free Ex3 consulting guides. You can also download a free copy of my eBook, “Experience Matters.”