Layoff Lesson Three: Ask Yourself, “What do I want to be next?”

By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

​About The Seven Layoff Lessons

Through my seven layoffs and many conversations with others in post-layoff career transition, I have learned seven core lessons:
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• Lesson One: Experience your emotions and manage your mindset. 
• Lesson Two: Keep your mind on your money (and your money on your mind).
• Lesson Three: Ask yourself, “What do I want to be next?”
• Lesson Four: Shape and share your story.
• Lesson Five: Help people help you.
• Lesson Six: Examine your energy to take control of your time. 
• Lesson Seven: Assess, adapt, and rise above.

About Layoff Lesson Three: Ask Yourself, “What do I want to be next?”

Few people take the time to step back from their work life and think, “Is this really what I want to do?” When you go through an unplanned job change, seize this rare opportunity to revisit your career path.  Take time for a little structured soul searching and actively decide what you want both long-term and in your next job. ​​

An Opportunity For Self Reflection

While it’s hard to take the time to reflect when you’re busy living your life, a layoff means the pause button has just been pushed on your career. This may be your once-in-a-lifetime chance to reassess your current situation and think about what you really want from your work life. 

What Do You Want To Be?

Adults often ask children, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" As an adult, especially in a time of transition, it's valuable to pause and ask yourself that question once again.  Once that good enough job is no more, its an excellent time to dedicate some time to figuring out your longer-term career goals. 

After you identify what you'd like to ultimately do, it's valuable to answer the question, "What do I want to do next?" Being able to describe the details of your desired next job will help you find the next right role for you. 

Structured Soul Searching

The structured soul-searching process involves reflecting on many areas of your life, including what truly matters to you, your natural ways of working, your skills, and your interests. This process includes identifying your personal values, finding out and naming your strengths, gathering information on what you like to do at work, and identifying your desired salary. 

This process will include connecting with previous coworkers to discuss their observations, reviewing job descriptions for skills that appeal to you, researching compensation information, taking online assessments, and making time for personal reflection. This process will help you establish what type of new role would be the best fit for you at this point in time.

Prioritizing What Matters To You

Once you reflect in a few different ways, it’s time to gather what you’ve learned and use that to put together your preferences list for the job you want. You'll think through your preferences regarding work logistics, salary, benefits, employer characteristics, and the day-to-day job and determine what matters most to you. 

You can also revisit your target job profile and adjust it as your job search continues. As you move through your job search, you'll learn more about what you really want (and what you really don't want). You'll continue to fine-tune​ what the right next job for you is so you can focus your job search efforts accordingly. 

For The Whole Story

For all the information on each of the seven lessons pick up a copy of my book  Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide. ​

Learn More

• The Layoff Lady: About My Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs
• ​The Layoff Lady's Ultimate Guide To Answering The Question, "I Just Got Laid Off--Now What Do I Do?"​
• The Layoff Lady Book: Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide​