So you've been laid off ― 3 steps to get your career back on track

It's not you; it's changing industry. No, seriously! Layoffs happen when industry is changing and although it is hard not to take a layoff personally, you can transform a loss into an opportunity, says Lara Schuelke, Career Development Specialist at SAIT's Student Employment and Career Centre. 

The best part is, the career centre is here to help and all of their services are free for SAIT students and alumni. 

1. Ask yourself, "What do I want?"

Take time to reevaluate what you want out of your career - what did you like about your previous role, and what were some of the things that you'd like to avoid in your next position? 

"One of the common mistakes people make when they've been laid off is to start looking for a similar position," Schuelke says. "Layoffs occur when industry is changing, so it's important to look for new developments."

2. Work your network

People love to support one another in their careers, but they don't know you need support unless you ask for it.

Schuelke suggests using tools like LinkedIn to reach out to people you worked with earlier in your career, as well as former instructors and classmates who might be working at companies or industries you're interested in breaking into.

3. Make yourself relevant

Updating your resumé may seem as simple as adding your most recent work experience, but there's more you can do to ensure your application stands out against the competition, Schuelke explains.

"What employers are looking for changes quite frequently," she says. "It's our job as Career Development Specialists to stay current on this and we can tell you what employers are telling us."

Glean your competitive edge with help from SAIT's Student Employment and Career Centre. Alumni can access all job support services through My Career Hub:

• View hundreds of job postings from employers who are looking to hire SAIT alumni. 
• Register for employment workshops on topics such as resumé and cover letter writing, interview strategies, developing your LinkedIn profile and other professional development opportunities.
• Book one-on-one consultations for personalized support. 
• Attend one of these upcoming professional development seminars: