The recent economic downturn resulted in many workers being laid off from their jobs, resulting in thousands of professionals being out of work and often unsure of their next career move. During the most extreme points of the recession in Canada, which occurred between October 2008 and July 2009, more than 400,000 citizens lost their jobs, according to a report by Statistics Canada.
While many of those workers have since found other jobs and opportunities, more professionals are laid off every day. These workers can find themselves in difficult situations, but they can rebound by taking a few steps toward starting a new career.
Take a break
Immediately after being laid off, workers should take some time to relax and distract themselves from the situation at hand. There's nothing wrong with taking a few days to think about the experience and reflect on what the next move should be. Use this time to look into valuable skills or qualities that can be transferred into the workplace, think about personal career goals and evaluate how to merge these two into a job opportunity.
Consider a career change
Once professionals have taken stock of their feelings, skills and other needs, they should consider where they want to go career-wise. There is nothing limiting a worker to their past career or industry, so individuals should not be afraid of exploring other outlets. With Canada's oil industry growing at a rapid pace, it may be worthwhile for people to look into landing a job in the oil and gas field, even if they have not had any experience in this field in the past. By taking courses at an Alberta college, individuals can learn the basics of office management and other fundamentals that could eventually help them find a job in a new industry, regardless of their past experience.
Update resumes and explore other outlets
People investing in courses to re-energize their education will need to update their resumes and social profiles in order to create the best possible image of themselves for future employers. Past work experience and education may have changed since their last resume update, along with work skills. In addition to the standard resume, individuals should update LinkedIn profiles and the rest of their online presence to accurately display their experience and goals while making new connections.
Individuals interested in finding a career in the oil industry can start by enrolling in the office administration program at Reeves College. To find out more information, fill out the form on the right.