What helps when life throws a curve ball at us?

What helps when life throws a curve ball, tipping our lives into chaos, uncertainty and a vast array of choices?

From my own experience, when being forced into a big decision, I tend to ruminate and lick my wounds to consider what led to this situation. Have I misbehaved or does my face just not fit anymore in a fast-paced world of multi-hyphenated tapestry careers? Apparently, gone are the days of a single choice career. Instead, we are encouraged to embrace a global job market; allowing people to chase their dreams and locations, focusing on achieving a work life balance that is fed by passion, interests and good causes. So many options….

Having worked in UK public sector most of my career I have witnessed, lead and been a victim of organisational change. Such experience can lead to big decisions about next step career options. For many this means having to either change role, reapply for a role, or even having to leave the job earlier than anticipated.

I was always slightly amused when students were discussing seeking jobs in areas where they could readily park to cope more easily with working early or late shifts. I would encourage them to also  consider what specialist experience they were to achieve in that organisation. Yet, since COVID disrupted the workspace, we are all looking for safe and affordable options for accessing work, even more so with the cost of living escalating in price.

When life throws a curve ball and forces us to consider leaving a job sooner than expected, how do we use the opportunity to reclaim our passion and interests in what is next?

First, undertake your own self-assessment.

You can do this yourself using either a journal or walking and talking with friends and family to help you consider these sorts of reflective questions.

·      What is expected of me?  Am I the main bread winner, or have I got the luxury of taking some time to reconsider career options?

·      Do I have the qualifications needed to get a dream job, or is it time to undertake some more education?

·      What can I do to prepare myself for the job market?

·      Am I burnt out, stressed and so anxious that I won’t be able to perform well in an interview?

·      How can I prepare myself to be confident and ready for this next step?

·      What are my passions and interests, and what jobs best match my skills and values?

·      Am I able to retire, volunteer or do I take a part time role?

Second, explore the market.

·      Where are the jobs you are looking for most likely to be advertised?

·      Explore websites and vacancy lists of your top choice employers and see what they are advertising for – what are the timelines between adverts and submission deadline?

·      What documents do I need to prepare, so I can apply and be feel ready for the job of my dreams?

·      If going for a new career option, who do you know in the field, or works in similar areas you can have a chat with to get their advice?

·      If considering retiring, who can advise on preparing for this financially, socially and emotionally?

Third, identify a coach or mentor who can run through your options and help prepare you.

·      Write down what people say about you and how you come across, in terms of your strengths and areas of development, use that in your personal statement. You can also ask your past employer for a written reference to be used in new job applications.

·      Get advice about what are the top three issues, or the key phrases, buzz words, policies, or research in the areas you want to pursue, so you are up to date on pertinent issues to discuss

·      Do your own research into aspects of the work, or retirement, and where and how you want to develop your skills, career and expertise into the future

Fourth, preparing for interview

·      Take your notes into the interview with you, using a grid so you can readily prompt yourself on those important aspects you have researched and want to share in response to the panels questions

·      Take your time – don’t worry about responding immediately to interview questions, think, breath and then respond.

·      Remember, if you get through to interview, they have already identified you are capable of the job.  You can now, when in the interview think about whether you really want to work with these people  - it is a two way process

·      If preparing for a future that is not about a new job, take your time to allow yourself to slow down, transition and gain a sense of achievement in what you have already achieved in your working life. 

·      Consider how to share your experiences with others, to help them in their life choices.