Dear Mentors: I was unexpectedly laid off from my job and I’m reeling from the shock. How can I recover my confidence and get my career back on track?
Editor’s Note:
Whether it’s called a layoff, restructuring, downsizing, or strategic realignment, an involuntary separation from your job can hit hard. This mentee’s question rings true for many of our WCA Peer Mentors who have experienced a layoff (or even been on the other side of the desk, having to fire an employee.) They have known the range of emotions that come with a layoff and the work it takes to rebound professionally, and they are here to share their wisdom and encouragement.
One of the key themes that emerged is the silver lining that can come from a forced change of direction in your career.
I’m reminded of an Austin PR luminary and WCA alumna (IYKYK) who often tells the tale of being fired from one of the big ad agencies back in the day. She recalls the sting of that separation. But before long, she joined a woman-owned PR firm, then helmed it for a stellar 16 years, then sold it to her successor who still runs the firm today. Her layoff set her on a new career journey and Austin is better off for it.
Careers are never without hiccups. Read on for more inspiration!
Dear Mentee,
Been there. Done that. Feel your pain.
Getting laid off can feel deeply personal, even when it’s not. One minute you’re updating a spreadsheet, the next you’re updating your résumé. It’s a shock to the system, so give yourself permission to pause before launching into full “new life by Monday” mode. Take a little time to steady your footing: sleep, move your body, talk it out with people who remind you who you are outside of a job title. Confidence doesn’t magically snap back overnight, but it does return as you regain perspective and remember that a budget cut (or a “strategic restructuring”) is not a reflection on your intelligence, talent, or worth.
When you’re ready, use this unexpected plot twist as an opportunity for a reset. Take inventory of your strengths, accomplishments, and the work that genuinely energizes you. What problems do you solve well? What compliments have followed you from job to job? Then ask the bigger question: Is what you’ve been doing really what you want to keep doing, or were you just very good at tolerating it?
A layoff can be a nudge (or shove) to reconsider your direction. Maybe you can double down on your field with renewed focus, or maybe you’ll pivot toward something that better fits your passions and values. Either way, you’re not starting from scratch; you’re starting from experience.
Take the time, and remember to breathe. You’ve got this.
Dear Mentee,
Getting laid off can shake your confidence, but it doesn’t define your value. First, give yourself a moment to grieve and process. Then start moving again, reach out to your community, reconnect with what you’re good at, and stay open to new ideas. Careers aren’t linear, and sometimes the moments that knock you off course are the ones that lead you to build something even better.
Dear Mentee,
Recovering our confidence after a layoff benefits from practicing a specific mindset skill: future focus. To improve our ability to think about the future, we want to notice when we are “past focused,” which can happen in a job transition. We translate our past to people who want our skills and abilities in the future. It’s a tricky dance if we aren’t clear on the steps, which may include:
- Accepting our loss and acknowledging our feelings about it (sadness, anger or fear)
- Being clear about what we want in the future
- Generating self-confidence right now
Friends, peers, coaches and mentors may help us with one or more of these steps, so reach out to WCA colleagues and the peer mentor program if you need an ear.
Dear Mentee,
As an art director and creative director, I’ve faced layoffs several times! One time, I was at a new agency that Dell put together. I watched 8 rounds of layoffs happen, and by the time I got laid off, I was truly happy. I felt like I was pushed off the bridge because I was very unhappy, but not going to quit since my family’s insurance was made possible by my job. Fortunately right after that, I landed my biggest freelance client ever and had that company as a client for 5 years. (When one door closes another opens.)
In two other cases, I was working in tech companies. Both of those situations were disappointing and I was bitter, not going to lie.
I see job postings all the time but am afraid to go through that again. I’m not making high tech money anymore but I’m also at a place in my career where I’m not supporting a family so I can do things differently. Overall, I truly believe that when one door closes, another opens. It might not be what you think, but be open to possibilities and as time goes on you become less bitter and learn to not take it personally.
Dear Mentee,
Being unexpectedly laid off can feel deeply personal, even when it isn’t. When it happened to me, the first thing I realized was that I had stepped away from professional networking for a while and didn’t have the community or connections I needed to lean on. That realization pushed me to seek out professional groups where I could connect with other professionals, not just for job opportunities, but for encouragement and support during a difficult moment.
One of the most helpful things I did during that time was to revisit my past annual performance reviews. Reading through them reminded me of my strengths and the value I had brought to previous roles. It helped me regain confidence and clearly articulate my skills as I began applying for new opportunities.
At the same time, I had an honest conversation with myself about areas where I had room to grow. With the unexpected time I had, I asked myself how I could turn those gaps into future strengths. I began investing in learning, taking advantage of free courses and professional development resources, including those offered through LinkedIn Learning.
Perhaps the most important realization was that layoffs happen to many people, even incredibly talented professionals. Mine was related to the pandemic, not my performance. When I began talking openly about my experience, I discovered that many women I admire and respect had gone through similar situations. Their stories and support reminded me that setbacks are often part of a larger career journey.
If you’re navigating a layoff, give yourself grace. The job market can be challenging, and rebuilding confidence takes time. Focus on your strengths, reconnect with your professional community, and use the transition as an opportunity to grow. Networking, continued learning, and staying engaged in your field can help you move forward and sometimes even lead to opportunities better aligned with where you want to go next.
Got your own career conundrum you’d like advice on?
Then sign up for the WCA peer mentoring program. It’s free to members!
Not ready to sign up yet? Submit your question to Ask a Peer Mentor. It’s all about peers who care about helping their fellow WCA members.
Compiled and edited by Paige Booth
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