Focusing on your career after a divorce, especially when you have children, can seem like an insurmountable task. Don’t worry, though, and don’t allow yourself to spiral, because all you need is a structured approach.
There is no denying that you’ll want and need to work after a divorce, but that doesn’t mean that you should just take any job. In order to feel fulfilled and passionate about your work, you need to do the things you love.
Now that working from home has become the norm, for example, there are many opportunities out there for a single mom short on time. And even if you’re looking for a job outside the house, now’s the time to start your search and make a concrete plan of attack.
So, let’s take a look at the key steps you should take to discover the right path and build a thriving career after a divorce.
Leave your emotions out of it
You might have thought that the first step you need to take is to find your passion. Well, we are taking a different, far more prudent approach. Your first step should be far more analytical than that, which means that you need to run a personal SWOT analysis.
That’s right, leave the emotions out of it and get analytical by defining your personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and any threats for your career. This is the best way to build a career roadmap based on actionable data with minimal risk.
Start by listing your strengths, including your work skills and the personal traits that make you stand out. Consider where and how you can apply these strengths. Be mindful of your weaknesses as well, particularly when looking at specific industries and companies. Prioritize them and work on eliminating them over time.
Next, research the industry for opportunities. See how you can help turn these opportunities into profit for yourself and a potential employer. Lastly, consider any potential threats for the sector you’re in, your professional growth, your employer, and the market. Recognizing the threats will help you mitigate risk or choose a completely new career path that’s safer and more stable.
Be willing and ready to grow
Being a single mom can be a full-time job if you don’t get the right help from family members or professionals. That’s why you might feel the need to simply get out there and get any job that pays well without concerning yourself about long-term growth or professional development.
If you do need a job to hold you over until you find your true career path, you should focus your attention on the opportunities that facilitate professional growth. In order to thrive and reach new heights of success, you need to be willing to develop, upskill, and actively take your career forward.
Be sure to adopt a growth-oriented mindset, embrace continuous learning, training, and education, and be willing to invest in yourself to become the best candidate on the job market.
Helping others is a way to heal and succeed
When you’re considering new career paths and opportunities, you need to factor in the career choices that would allow you to heal over the long term. Divorce can take a heavy toll on your psychological well-being, and if you choose the wrong career path, you will just bury yourself in work that makes you miserable.
Instead, you need to choose the things that make you truly happy. One of the best ways to achieve deep inner happiness is to turn your attention to helping others.
For example, the COVID-19 pandemic has created numerous opportunities in the healthcare sector, and upskilling in this field by getting an ACLS certification can help you join the fight against the virus and provide emergency care to those in need. Becoming an advanced care life support specialist is one of the many ways you can start and build a thriving career in the medical industry, and help others in order to help yourself in the process.
Make a long-term financial roadmap
As a single mom, you don’t have the luxury to wait around for the perfect opportunity to come up. You need to put food on the table, meaning that you need to create a robust financial plan. If you have some savings to hold you over, then you can pursue your dream career, but if you’re in need of cash, then don’t be afraid to start working part-time or on a per-project basis.
List all of your expenses and see where you can cut back without sacrificing your quality of life. Make a smarter shopping list and schedule, and look for good deals online. Be more prudent with your finances while at the same time looking for career opportunities that will put you back on your feet.
Network to build confidence and resolve
Lastly, be sure to get in touch with industry professionals to get an objective overview of your career plans and goals. There’s nothing like professional networking to get your foot in the proverbial door, and talking to successful individuals can do wonders for your confidence and self-esteem. Pick the brains of experienced professionals in the industry you’re interested in, and expand your professional circle to find those hidden opportunities.
Wrapping up
Launching a career after a divorce can seem impossible with everything you have going on, but that should only motivate you more to succeed. Use these tips and tactics to find your dream job and set the stage for long-term professional growth.
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