Explosive growth has been the norm in the tech sector for the past decade.
When the Covid-19 pandemic ravaged the world and moved more of daily life online, tech hiring blazed even more. Some major tech companies, like Amazon and Facebook’s parent company Meta, doubled the number of people they employed to stay on pace with escalated demand.
However, the industry’s exuberance is now fading as it faces one of the worst contractions in history. (Hello, recession impact!)
Major tech companies such as Meta, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, to name just a few, have announced mass layoffs, resulting in over 200,000 tech jobs lost since the start of last year, as reported by tech job trackers.
These layoffs can be daunting and overwhelming for the affected employees, but with the right strategies, it’s possible to cope and transition to a new phase in your career!
Let’s explore coping strategies and career transition tips for professionals who have experienced big tech layoffs.
Understand the Emotional Impact of Layoffs
It’s important to recognize and acknowledge the range of emotions losing a job can trigger and allow yourself to grieve the loss of your job.
Seek support from friends and family, and engage in self-care activities that help you manage stress and stay positive. While this might sound obvious, it’s hard to do when you’re going through the rollercoaster.
Take Practical Steps
- Review Your Finances: Evaluate your financial situation and make a budget to ensure you can cover your expenses during the transition period. Cut unnecessary expenses and prioritize essential bills.
- Update Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile: Update your resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect your most recent work experience and skills. Highlight your achievements and accomplishments to showcase your value to potential employers.
- Network: Reach out to your professional network, including former colleagues, mentors, and industry contacts. Attend networking events, job fairs, and online forums to expand your network and learn about job opportunities.
- Explore New Job Opportunities: Research the job market and identify potential job openings that align with your skills and interests. Tailor your resume and cover letter for each application, and prepare for interviews by practicing common interview questions.
Invest in Your Professional Development
- Upskill or Reskill: Identify skills that are in demand in your industry and invest in upgrading your skills through online courses, certifications, or workshops. This will enhance your employability and demonstrate your commitment to professional growth.
- Volunteer or Take on Side Projects: Offer your skills and expertise to volunteer for relevant organizations or take on side projects to build your portfolio and demonstrate your capabilities to potential employers.
- Seek Mentoring or Coaching: Consider seeking guidance from a mentor or career coach who can provide valuable insights, advice, and support as you navigate through your career transition.
Going through a big tech layoff can be a daunting experience, but by implementing coping strategies and following career transition tips, you can effectively manage the situation and come out stronger.
Transitioning into a cyber career can be viable for individuals affected by tech layoffs.
Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing field with a high demand for skilled professionals, with a reported 700K+ jobs currently unfilled. Here are some tips to help you make a successful transition and translate your IT skills to help you secure the job:
- Assess Your Skills: Evaluate your existing skills and identify transferable skills that can be applied to cybersecurity. This may include skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, attention to detail, and communication skills. Identify any gaps in your knowledge and skills and make a plan to acquire them through training or certification programs.
- Get Educated: Obtain the necessary education and certifications to enhance your cybersecurity skills. There are numerous online courses and certifications available that can help you gain expertise in areas such as network security, ethical hacking, risk management, and more. Investing in your education will make you more competitive in the job market.
- Gain Practical Experience: Seek opportunities to gain practical experience in cybersecurity. A great example is the CyberNow Labs – Cyber Training. In this apprenticeship, you can get the best Hands-On Experience that will help you succeed in your career.
- Network: Build a professional network in the cybersecurity industry. Attend industry events, join online forums, and connect with cybersecurity professionals to expand your network. Networking can help you learn about job opportunities, gain insights into the industry, and establish valuable connections that may lead to job referrals.
- Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences in cybersecurity. Highlight any certifications, projects, or achievements demonstrating your field expertise. Customizing your resume will make it stand out to potential employers and increase your chances of getting an interview.
Transitioning into a cybersecurity career may require effort and dedication, but it can be a rewarding and lucrative career path with the right mindset, education, and experience.
Remember to be persistent, keep learning, and leverage your existing skills and experiences to successfully transition into cybersecurity.
Want help accelerating into this career path?
CyberNow Labs’ hands-on school covers everything from instructor-led CompTIA Security+ certification to hands-on training on real enterprise security tools that nets real experience to job hunt strategies.
Live, online career info sessions are hosted weekly: register for your free seat here.