Losing your job can be an incredibly stressful experience, especially if you're at a stage in life where you have dependents and all the responsibilities that go along with that. It can feel overwhelming, but it's important to remember that there are many paths back to the workforce and financial stability. Whether it’s finding a new job, starting your own business, or pursuing a passion project, you have the potential to reshape your future. So, don't let this setback knock you for six. Get yourself off the couch and back in the game.
Ready for launch? Here are some suggestions.
Stop. Take a deep breath.
So, you've lost your job? It's natural to feel emotional, but it's important to exit gracefully. Avoid becoming the person who gets escorted out by security for flipping a conference room table or sending a snarky email. Once you're out, take some time to consider your options. Seek legal advice if you think you've been wrongfully dismissed. Do you need to upskill or reskill? Could you improve your interpersonal or communication skills? Would career coaching help?
Sometimes, you may need to confront bigger questions: Did you dislike your job? Are you in the wrong career? Is it time for a complete life change? As adults, we rarely get the chance to reflect on our lives and where we want to go, so use this time wisely before making your next move. One productive way to use this 'downtime' is to seek out free learning opportunities or enrol in a short course to explore new skills. This can help you feel more prepared when your next opportunity arises.
Designing Success is a free online course from UTS Open that’s ideal for professionals looking to take a different path. It can help identify what you want in a career and give you practical steps to realise your goals.
Find the right fit
Maybe you were fired because you weren't good at your job, but have you considered that the job might not have been right for you? Sometimes, a poor fit in the workplace can be worse than not having a job at all. There are countless stories of people who struggled in the corporate world but thrived in other fields or started their own successful businesses. While not everyone is destined to become an entrepreneur, there's a valuable lesson here: it's worth waiting for the right person or company that truly understands you, your vision, and your values. You'll be much more productive if you're not constantly fighting against a workplace culture that doesn't suit you. Think carefully about the type of company you want to work for, the kind of people you want to work with, how you want to use your skills, and the goals you want to achieve.
Growth hack yourself
Growth hacking is a strategy that combines marketing, data analysis, and technology to find the most effective and efficient ways to grow a business. While it's often used by startups, you can apply its basic principles to getting back on your feet. Think of yourself as the product and critically assess your skill set. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What are the skill gaps or growth areas in the job market? It's all about enhancing your value proposition to make yourself more marketable to prospective employers. Invest in professional development — find a mentor, take a short course on entrepreneurship, problem-solving, or data storytelling. Consider an internship or volunteer work. Not only will you be investing in yourself (which is, after all, a growth exercise), but you'll also enhance your employability and expand your professional networks.
Forge your own path
There are plenty of things in our jobs that we'd rather avoid—that's why it's called work, right? Whether it's filling out unnecessary paperwork, attending compliance training, or making polite small talk with a colleague when you have a mountain of work, these tasks can drain our enthusiasm and energy. However, the nature of work is evolving. While there are concerns about automation and job displacement, this shift also opens the door to new career opportunities. If your skills are well-suited for consulting or freelancing, consider transitioning into working for yourself. Running a small business has its challenges, like finding clients, managing finances, and taking on all the responsibility. But it also offers the freedom to set your schedule, be the one others listen to, and focus on the things that bring you fulfillment. Look at the inspiring individuals at UTS Startups who are carving out their own paths.
Retire young
Just kidding. Who could even do that? Or could you…?
Don’t just let life happen to you. Learn something new with a short course or microcredential from UTS Open and take a new direction in your career.
