KEY POINTS:
Whether it is a missed promotion, unsatisfactory performance review, difficulty with a manager or a job loss, setbacks are part of everyone's career. No one is immune, particularly when the pressure is high and businesses are feeling the heat.
In the best of times you are likely to encounter unexpected detours, delays and disappointments, and in hard times, you can almost count on it.
While you can't necessarily prevent setbacks you can develop positive ways of coping with adversity so you rebound quickly. The key is to cultivate an inner resilience and develop a solid plan for the future. You can turn a negative experience around and use it as a gateway to new opportunities.
Coming to terms with a setback
The first hours and days after a career crisis are the hardest. Responses are driven by emotion and your feelings may run the full gamut from embarrassment over a negative performance review to shock, anger and sadness about being made redundant even when you know it's not your fault.
Obviously, this is not the time to start strategising about your future. First you must give yourself a chance to recover emotionally. Accept that your reactions are normal and then you can start to move on.
When the initial emotional responses subside, try to look at the situation objectively. When the setback is something like a poor performance review or a missed promotion, taking responsibility is hard but it's the only way to learn from the experience.
Setbacks are a painful but valuable tool. You can use them to correct self-defeating behaviours or unproductive patterns. Resist the tendency to blame other people or external forces and try to identify the role you played.
If you were passed over for a promotion, how much control did you have over the factors critical to success? What could you have done differently? Are there any professional skills you can develop to increase your odds for a promotion next time?
In some instances there is little or nothing you could have done to prevent the setback. Many people around the world are now facing job losses through no fault of their own. If that happens, avoid dwelling on what might have been and instead consider the setback within the context of your overall career. How significant is it? How did you successfully handle similar situations in the past?
Also, list your major achievements, talents and skills. Reviewing your strengths and accomplishments will help you keep a healthy perspective and shore up self-confidence.
Planning your next move
Once you have started to rebound emotionally, develop a strategy for moving forward. Take stock of the direction of your career and reassess your goals. Given the turn of events, what are your objectives? You may decide you'd like a more positive performance review next time. Or perhaps you'll conclude that it's time to change jobs or explore a new career.
Whatever your goals, develop a detailed plan for achieving them. Set specific targets and deadlines. For example, you could plan to send out a certain number of CVs each week and meet a career counsellor.
If your goal is to improve your standing with your current employer, you could meet your supervisor to discuss steps you could take to boost your performance.
It is also vital to expand your professional network at this time. Involvement in industry associations or community groups will not only introduce you to new contacts but also boost morale. Talking with colleagues, a mentor or a support group will build your self-esteem and provide fresh perspectives on your situation.
You can also use the period after a setback for professional development. You may decide to acquire new skills or strengthen current ones by taking a seminar or a new class.
Bouncing back from a career crisis such as redundancy takes time, but don't let this prevent you from setting goals and using your energies to attain them. This process can give you new pride and confidence in your ability to meet adversity and come out on top at the end.
* Megan Alexander is a senior manager at Robert Half.
