Uncertain times often force people to take stock of their lives and figure out what is profoundly important to them. Assess where you are right now.
Do you want to try out a new skill or a whole new career field? There is no better time than now to hit the “reset” button on your career.
Here are a few more things you can do right now to prepare for your next move:
Think Big Picture
People rarely have time for deep introspection. Now, we suddenly do. Figure out what you really want and think about the big picture, not just your next job title. What would make your job or career more fulfilling? What would give you more of a sense of purpose?
Create a Side Project
Take an online course or try out a new hobby. Volunteer to help your neighbors or your community. Watch a webinar or two. By engaging in new activities and meeting different people, you can experiment with different skills and see what works for you.
Network
Resist the urge to send a mass email to everyone you know. Take the time to write thoughtful and personal emails to a few key folks in your network, especially those you once worked with in the past but have not spoken to in a while. While its natural to rely on your immediate circle of friends and colleagues, its often the weaker ties that lead to a new job.
Take the Lead
People crave good leadership, especially during a crisis. If you ever wanted to take the lead at work, now is the time. Check in with your teammates and acknowledge the efforts of others. Think about how to prepare your team for what is next in your industry.
Stay on Top of Hiring Trends
The business world will reset itself and get back to full capacity. That full capacity just may be in different fields or skill sets. It’s important to stay on top of trends so you can be ready to pounce on hiring trends that match your abilities.
Check Your Doubts
Unless you are one of those lucky few who are super-confident all the time, you have probably doubted yourself from time to time. You may even have experienced impostor syndrome. It is time to assess those doubts and possibly even check them at the door.
If you are experiencing doubts, try out this “litmus test” to see if your belief is moving your forward or holding you back.
Now is the time. Now is your time. Research, reach out, try new things and plan. The job numbers look bleak right now but at some point, business will return to full capacity. It is just that the chairs might be arranged in different places at the table. Make sure you save yourself a seat.
