The Employment Report

With the U.S. unemployment rate at a 15-year high and more layoffs happening daily the number of American workers who find themselves suddenly out of a job continues to climb. “Losing your job can be like losing your identity. Without work, you tend to wonder who you are.  Not only that, but job loss has spillover effects – it also impacts your financial situation, your healthcare coverage, how your friends and family view you, and more,” says Susan Bernstein, Ph.D., a career expert and founder of the career management firm Work from Within.

“After the initial shock and trauma of losing your job, though, it’s important to begin to view this loss as also an opportunity to pursue the work you’ve always dreamed of,” says Dr. Bernstein, who has counseled hundreds of workers at all levels to find and pursue careers that are truly fulfilling. With studies showing that more than 50 percent of American workers dislike their jobs, “for some, these economic hard times may have a silver lining, affording them a time to contemplate and plan for a new job or even a return to school.”

Here are Bernstein’s tips on using a job loss as a way to get started on a new career path toward doing work you really love:

1. MAKE SPACE FOR A NEW DIRECTION / In my research with people who have left so-so jobs to pursue careers they really love, I discovered that people need time to mourn the job and the identity they’ve lost.  They also need to get back in touch with themselves and their desires. So I encourage people to take a bit of a break, perhaps 2 to 4 weeks, before moving straight into looking for a new job. Use that time to clear your mind and reconnect with activities and habits that energize you.

2. GIVE YOURSELF A CUSHION / Unless you have the financial luxury of not working while you explore a new career direction, you’ll need some income.  Ideally, look for a low-stress job, preferably one that you can forget about at the end of the day.  This allows you the energy to concentrate on activities that will clarify the new work:  reading up on your passions, meeting new people, attending conferences, etc.

3. CLARIFY WHAT YOU WANT/ Daydreaming is often maligned, but when it comes to a pursuing dream job, envisioning what you want helps you to attain it.  Write down what you’re seeking, or make a collage with pictures showing what you desire. Or find people who will listen to your dreams and help you clarify them.  We have a much higher propensity to achieve our dreams when we put them into a tangible form or share them.

4. GET GUIDANCE / Use this time to get advice from people who know your field of interest. Sites like LinkedIn.com can help you find connections who have the type of experience you’re seeking; when you find someone, ask if they might give you 15 minutes of their time. Use the time wisely by developing targeted questions ahead of time, such as “wow did you break into this field?”, “what are some important skills I’ll need to pursue this work?” and “what next steps would you recommend for me?” For long-run benefit, keep in touch with these people regularly, telling them the impact their advice had on you, and how you are moving forward.

5. TRY IT ON / There’s no substitute for getting first-hand experience in your dream job; it can tell you faster than anything whether your work goal is just a fantasy or a true desire.  One of my clients romanticized what it would be like to own a bed and breakfast – until she tried it out.  One place to contact for a “test drive” of your dream job is Vocation Vacations, which offers over 100 different experiences, from public speaker to doggy day care owner.  You can also seek out people who are doing the job you want and ask if you can “shadow” them, following them around and assisting for a period of time. Start with a few hours, and see if it makes sense to spend more time together.