After being laid off, I thought my experience would land me a new job quickly.
I was dead wrong.
After a few months of rejections I lost confidence and struggled.
Here's what I realized during that difficult period.
Your career is more than a job title.
After years in the corporate world, you possess a wealth of experience.
To thrive in your next chapter, you must look beyond your former role.
Your value is not in a title, but in the skills you have honed.
It is time to reskill, reposition, and stay ahead.
A "position trap" is a common pitfall.
Many define themselves by their job.
I made this mistake.
I tried to rebrand as a "former IT executive"
It failed.
Success came when I reframed my experience.
I focused on my ability to translate complex ideas and manage large projects.
I'm a nerd and like to map things out visually.
I highly recommend you do the same.
Here's an app I built to track my personal assessment.
https://exp-inventory-6t93zzvw.manus.space
Identify how you solve problems, not just what you did.
Create a "Knowledge Inventory."
This is a systematic catalog of your specialized knowledge.
Break it down into five areas:
Industry, Technical, Organizational, People, and Strategic.
Be specific.
Specificity makes your knowledge valuable.
For example, instead of "I understand marketing," write "I have a deep understanding of how to use LinkedIn to generate B2B leads for technology companies."
I used my insider view of corporate IT to build a consulting practice.
Your network is "Relationship Capital."
Don't just network.
Map your connections.
Create a list of your professional contacts.
Divide them into three groups.
The first group is your inner circle, the people you trust most.
The second group is your professional network, people you know from work and your industry.
The third group is your extended network, people you know through your other connections.
Start with your closest contacts.
Offer value to others.
This activates your network.
A "Resource Assessment" is next.
Be honest about your finances, time, and energy.
I miscalculated my own resources.
I overestimated my financial runway.
A thorough assessment creates a sustainable plan.
"Gap Analysis" is the final step.
This is not about weakness.
It is about strategic growth.
I identified and filled my marketing skill gaps.
This supported my transition.
Focus on targeted learning.
The goal is not to eliminate all gaps, but to focus on the targeted learning or partnerships that will provide the most leverage.
Your experience inventory is a living document.
It builds confidence.
It gives you a language to articulate your value.
It guides your learning. It informs your self-positioning.
This inventory is the foundation for your next chapter.
It is the first step to define your purpose.
Again, here's a copy of an app I built that will help you track your journey.
https://exp-inventory-6t93zzvw.manus.space
Ted
