I’d like to continue the series on strategies for folks who get laid off before they are ready to retire.
Rebrand yourself: Immediately applying for new jobs is an obvious decision. However, repositioning your skillset is not always top of mind. One of the reasons older employees may lose their jobs is due to an antiquated skillset. That being said, after spending several decades in a particular field, you are bound to pick up many things that the 25 year old rookie who just replaced you, does not yet possess. This includes experience, contacts, industry knowledge, secrets of the trade, and more. Leveraging these insights can lead to a career in a different job function within the same field.
I would suggest to folks listening to this who are late in their careers and looking for a new job, to make a list of skills they have, and figure out how they can be applied to other industries. You may be surprised at the opportunities that are available.