When Plan A Fails: Building a New Career Path After Unexpected Change
Career disruptions like layoffs, missed promotions, restructures, or leadership changes can feel like major setbacks. But they can also be the perfect opportunity to reassess your goals and pivot toward something even more fulfilling.
When Plan A is no longer an option, here's how to craft your next move:
Step 1: Process and Regroup
Unexpected changes can stir up intense emotions. Give yourself time to reflect and process. Journaling or talking to a trusted friend can help you manage feelings of disappointment or uncertainty.
Activity:
Write about the most valuable lessons learned in your career so far. Identify moments of resilience that you can build upon.
Step 2: Reassess Your Skills and Goals
Take stock of your transferable skills and accomplishments. Ask yourself what excites you most about your work and what type of roles or industries align with your strengths. Let this clarity guide your next steps.
Actionable Steps:
List three roles or industries where your skills could thrive.
Highlight skills you’ve used in prior roles that are relevant in new contexts.
Research job trends or opportunities tied to your interests.
Step 3: Envision a New Path
Whether it’s shifting industries, exploring freelance work, or positioning yourself for leadership, your career pivot starts with a vision. Use setbacks as an opportunity to realign your career with what truly matters to you.
Activity:
Draft a "career pivot statement" outlining where you want to go and why. This will guide conversations with mentors, hiring managers, or coaches.
Step 4: Seek Support and Guidance
Navigating these transitions is easier with the right support. Sweetgrass Advisory Group’s Career Clarity Program offers personalized coaching to help you uncover new opportunities, build confidence, and craft a strategic roadmap for your career.
Why Coaching with Sweetgrass?
We specialize in helping professionals turn uncertainty into opportunity. Our programs are designed to provide clarity and actionable strategies for success. Whether you’re redefining your goals after a layoff or restructuring your career path due to leadership changes, we’re here to help.
Schedule a free 30-minute discovery call to explore how Sweetgrass can guide you toward your next chapter. Your setback could be the setup for your biggest breakthrough yet!
