Discover post-layoff career paths with your customer experience expertise. Learn how to pivot and grow professionally after a job loss.

Bouncing back from a layoff involves embracing resilience and exploring new career paths. Start by updating your resume and LinkedIn profile, and expanding your professional network. Consider upskilling through online courses or certifications in emerging fields. Reflect on your strengths and interests to identify potential new career directions. Seek guidance from career coaches and leverage job search platforms to find opportunities that align with your newfound goals.

Last updated on Jul 21, 2024

Here's how you can bounce back from a layoff and discover new career paths.

Losing your job can be a tough experience, but it's also an opportunity to reassess your career and explore new avenues. As you navigate this challenging time, remember that your skills in customer experience (CX) are valuable and transferable to a variety of roles. In the face of a layoff, you have the chance to rediscover your strengths, expand your network, and potentially find a career path that's even more fulfilling than the last.

1 Embrace Change

Embracing change is crucial after a layoff. Instead of dwelling on the loss, view it as a chance to pivot towards something new. Reflect on your customer experience skills and consider how they can be applied in different industries or roles. This period is an opportunity for growth, so be open to learning new skills that can complement your existing expertise and make you more marketable.

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Ankesh Saxena

32x Top Voices | Podcaster @ The Collaborative Canvas | Founder - TRP Magazine | Learn and Grow | Market Research | Personal Branding | Consumer Insights | Sales | ESOMAR member | MRSI Member |
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Bouncing back from a layoff involves embracing resilience and exploring new career paths. Start by updating your resume and LinkedIn profile, and expanding your professional network. Consider upskilling through online courses or certifications in emerging fields. Reflect on your strengths and interests to identify potential new career directions. Seek guidance from career coaches and leverage job search platforms to find opportunities that align with your newfound goals.

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Naomi Mbeke John

Senior Customer Experience at Kenya Power
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ke Stock of Your Skills and Interests: Assess your skills, strengths, and interests. Consider what you enjoyed most about your previous roles and what you excel at. Reflect on any new skills you might want to develop or areas you want to explore further. Update Your Resume and Online Profiles: Tailor your resume to highlight relevant skills and experiences. Update your LinkedIn profile and other professional platforms. Showcase any new skills acquired during your previous role or through additional training.

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Amir Lehrer

I Help Digital Dealers with Customer Experience Strategy | Top 40 under 40 | Subscribe to Free CX in Cars Newsletter
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Nothing remains constant except change. Most of the time you can't see it but change is what lets you grow. I'd suggest taking a day or two off, to clear your head, relax, and prepare mentally for the next pivot your career will take. When you are ready, brainstorm the different directions that you may be interested in pursuing. Narrow down your list to your top 3 interests and create a plan to get your foot in the door. Find people on Linkedin (or elsewhere) in those industries or roles and connect with them. Tell them that you are interested to learn from them and ask if they would be willing to have a 5-minute call with you at their convenience. Many might not answer but some will and a quick chat can be very helpful.

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2 Reflect Deeply

Take a moment to reflect on your career thus far. What aspects of your previous job did you enjoy the most? Was it the interaction with customers, solving complex problems, or perhaps the strategic aspect of improving the customer journey? Use these insights to guide your search for new opportunities, looking for roles that align with what you're passionate about.

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3 Update Resume

Your resume is a key tool in your job search, so update it with a focus on your customer experience achievements. Highlight how you've improved customer satisfaction, streamlined service processes, or contributed to customer retention. Tailor your resume to showcase the skills that are most relevant to the roles you're targeting, and be sure to include any recent training or certifications.

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4 Network Actively

Networking is more important than ever after a layoff. Reach out to former colleagues, join professional groups, and attend industry events. Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with others in the customer experience field. Share your situation with your network; you never know who might be able to offer you an opportunity or introduce you to someone who can.

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5 Learn Continuously

Consider taking courses or certifications to boost your expertise in customer experience. This not only enhances your resume but also shows potential employers that you're proactive about your professional development. Look for areas within CX that are growing, such as digital customer engagement or user experience design, and aim to build skills in these areas.

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Ryan Rael, CCXP

Helping small businesses scale 30% faster using tailored CX strategies and seamless tech implementation | E-Commerce and Service Businesses | Certified CX Professional & Front/HubSpot Admin
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Bouncing back from a layoff can be daunting, but continuous learning is crucial. When I faced a layoff, I took it as an opportunity to upskill. I enrolled in online software courses, attended CX workshops, and networked actively via networking groups. This relentless learning allowed me to identify gaps in my previous customer experience philosophy. Leveraging this knowledge, I formally founded RR Business Insights. One client's feedback led to transformative process improvements, reinforcing the value of continuous learning. Embrace every chance to learn and adapt; it's the key to discovering new career paths and seizing unforeseen opportunities.

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Amir Lehrer

I Help Digital Dealers with Customer Experience Strategy | Top 40 under 40 | Subscribe to Free CX in Cars Newsletter
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Learning should never end. You should always be exploring and keeping up with new ideas and skills. Take advantage of your time now to take your learning up a level. Look into relevant courses, read books and blogs and listen to podcasts. Also, think about expanding your learning into something not completely related to your career but something that can expand your mind in other directions. The best ideas and inspiration come in unexpected places.

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6 Explore Widely

Finally, don't limit yourself to the roles you've had in the past. The world of customer experience is vast, with opportunities in sectors you may not have considered before. Think about how your skills could translate to positions in tech companies, healthcare, finance, or any other industry that values customer satisfaction. Be bold and apply for roles that interest you, even if they're outside your comfort zone.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Here's how you can bounce back from a layoff and discover new career paths.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Embrace Change

2 Reflect Deeply

3 Update Resume

4 Network Actively

5 Learn Continuously

6 Explore Widely

7 Here’s what else to consider

Customer Experience

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Here's how you can bounce back from a layoff and discover new career paths.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Embrace Change

2 Reflect Deeply

3 Update Resume

4 Network Actively

5 Learn Continuously

6 Explore Widely

7 Here’s what else to consider

Customer Experience

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