Dealing with a career setback can be tough. It can be shocking, especially if you have not accepted or weren’t expecting it. The current economic situation also makes this a terrible time to suffer career setbacks. However, you need to accept the situation and move on. This way, you can focus on what you can change and turn your situation around. A resilient and positive mindset will help you overcome any career setbacks.
Overcoming Career Setbacks
Career setbacks are inevitable and can take different forms. They may involve job loss or layoff, career stagnancy, industry or organizational changes, or personal or health challenges. These are all instances that can set your life back as well. However, you don’t have to lose confidence because you suffered a career setback. You can actually bounce back and come back stronger from a setback.
Research shows that people who suffer career setbacks have better outcomes after they overcome them. Sometimes, these setbacks are meant to lead you onto a different path. A study found that career setbacks pushed people to take risks and explore alternative careers. They did this after undergoing a positive shift. You need to take transformative steps to turn your failure into greater success. These strategies will help you regardless of what kind of setback you encounter.
Reflect On Your Career Setback
When you suffer a career setback, you may likely go through the five stages of grief. Losing a job, promotion, or rejection of a position can be disheartening and hard to accept. It gets worse if you only speak to people who will feed your sense of injustice. However, you need to accept the situation and reflect on what went wrong. Sometimes, it may just be your fault that you suffered a setback. Identifying the reason for your career setback is an important first step to becoming stronger.
Develop A Growth Mindset
A growth mindset is crucial to overcoming career setbacks and becoming stronger. This mindset recognizes that one can get better with dedication and learning. Learn from your mistakes rather than fixate on what you could have done better but didn’t. Focus on your strengths and view the setback as a learning opportunity. When you do this, you can become better than you were.
Identify New Paths
You can also reassess your career path during this period. Determine whether what you do is really what you want to do. You may decide to move to a different organization or even change career completely. You must take certain risks to know what you are capable of. If you find yourself demotivated at work, it may be a sign that you need a change.
Get Certified
Another way to overcome career setbacks and become stronger is to improve your skills. Invest in personal and professional development to have better career chances. Identify areas where you need certifications, training, or more knowledge. You can enroll in online workshops or visit certification sites like Coursera or Udemy. You can also enroll for a master’s degree. This will boost your marketability and improve your chances of getting a job or a promotion. Also, refine your CV and ensure it is ATS-optimized.
Network
You may initially find it embarrassing to be going through a career slump or setback. However, you will only be holding yourself back if you keep to yourself. Reach out to friends and let them know your needs. Attend industry events and workshops. Join online communities, too, and build genuine relationships with friends online. Leverage social media effectively and you may just find what you are looking for easily.
Have A Support Group
Dealing with a career setback can be tough and impossible to navigate independently. During this time, surround yourself with friends and support networks that can encourage you. You may also see a therapist who will help you. This way, you won’t give in to the negative thoughts that may plague you. You can also seek resources online to help you navigate this tough time better.
A career setback doesn’t make you a failure. Instead, it is an opportunity to improve yourself and turn things around in your favor. Keep a resilient and adaptable mind. Be positive about your situation and see it as a learning opportunity. This way, you can improve, strengthen, and overcome your career setback.
#Clique, have you ever experienced a career setback? What steps did you take to overcome them and bounce back? Share your experience so someone in a similar situation can learn from it.
