You were highly paid, highly respected and at the peak of your powers. Then you were made redundant.



What now?



Steven Pearce offers a five point plan for bouncing back fast.

1. Hit the pause, not the panic, button. This is an interval, not the final curtain. If you're wise, you won't try to leap straight back into the fray, but will take some time to de-frag your cluttered mind. Spend a couple of weeks (or, better, a couple of months) doing...nothing much. Learn from those luminaries who used an "unsolicited career break" to recharge the batteries and return, revitalised, for a killer second act. Churchill. Steve Jobs. Lance Armstrong. See, you're in great company!

2. Embrace change. Your life may feel like it's in freefall right now, but modern neuro-science tells us that new experience - whether enforced or voluntary - actually strengthens the brain. Brand new synapses begin to fire whenever we explore new territory. The secret is not to be cowed by change, but to embrace it. Major change has been thrust upon you; that means it's a good time to make all those other minor adjustments you've been meaning to get around to for years. Like taking that exercise; like doing that course; like reconnecting with friends and family. The cumulative effect of getting comfortable with constant change is simple: improved mental health. And you'll never be anyone's captive ever again.

3. Define your personal brand. Right now, you have the opportunity to define yourself, rather than be defined by the narrow strictures of a job title or a corporate brand. Sit down over a coffee - or maybe something stronger - and jot down the three professional achievements of which you are most proud. What precise skills did you bring to the table to make these happen? What sort of challenges seem to bring out the best in you? Write up your answers under the title "About Me". The sort of person you are will determine the kinds of opportunities you'll want to seek.

4. Look sideways. The skills you identified in (3) are probably way more transferable than you think; it's up to you to start looking for new openings in unlikely places. So you've had a career in banking. Who says the only place to find new work is with a bank? You're good with numbers. What about helping a charity with its fundraising? Or a start-up with its cashflow? Or an 8-year-old with her long division? The only person who can pigeon-hole your talents is you. Don't.

5. Talk. Isolation is a real fear when you're cast adrift from the corporate mothership for the first time. But you're not alone in this. There are thousands of people in exactly the same boat. Find them. Meet with them - in person, online. Discuss with them exactly how you're going to leverage the fantastic skills and experience you and they possess. Before you know it, you may be launching a new joint venture that kick-starts the next phase of your career.



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Steven Pearce is a business coach who works with clients on communication and career management issues.