Career transition and redundancy can bring about a whole host of emotions and concerns for transitioning employees. For some it can be a welcomed opportunity, but for many it can be blinding and leave you questioning everything.
To help you through career transition and redundancy and inspire your future decisions, we will be sharing a new series called ‘Life after career transition’. Here we will revisit participants who have been through our outplacement services to find out where they are now and how change has impacted on their lives and careers. First up we’d love to introduce you to Tom.
Tom’s personal story of transition
I used to be in a senior management role as Head Lawyer of a large, well-known company. When the company was sold, I decided to exit instead of moving my family to a different location. Even though I had some control in the decision-making process, I still experienced the confronting and stressful feelings career transition and redundancy can bring.
After deciding to enjoy a break with my family, I established my own legal practice, completing the necessary further qualifications that would allow me to do this. I also invested time in increasing my business skills to help me plan, develop and grow my practice. Slowly dipping my toe into the water, I found more and more clients who liked the option of having a flexible legal resource they could lean on when they needed it.
Fast forward to now and I still work with a variety of clients. Though throughout this time I have also formed a close working relationship with a large company, which has a high demand for legal services on a regular basis.
In hindsight my career change was a great opportunity, I not only get to continue to pursue my passions and interests, but I also get to do it on my terms, and have greater flexibility and work-life balance.
Since my redundancy there have been three lessons I’ve learnt, that I would like to share with you also:
1. Focus on what you are good at
When you experience career transition or redundancy, you can be tempted to go into an entirely different industry; I know I was! But in my experience, it pays to focus on what you are good at and what you know, as people will want to hire or use you based on proven experience.
2. Contract work is in demand
Organisational needs are changing, and a flexible workforce is becoming more appealing to employers. If you are finding it difficult to find full-time work, try positioning yourself as a tap on tap off resource. It may just give you the edge you need and greater work-life balance as a bonus.
3. You can still be part of a team even when you work for yourself
If you love the ability to be part of a team and collaborate with other like-minded people, you can still do this when you work for yourself. Use co-working spaces and join forces with complementary businesses and professionals to help value add and grow.
With over 50+ years combined experience and more than 7000 successful career transitions and progressions we know how to give employees an edge in the marketplace and protect employment brands through periods of high growth and tumultuous change. Call us today on (07) 3838 1388 or contact friendlyteam@turningpointpartners.com.au
