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From Layoff to Launchpad: Leaders on Choosing Your Next Move

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From Layoff to Launchpad: Leaders on Choosing Your Next Move

In the raw uncertainty following a layoff, when every option feels like a gamble—stay in the familiar lane or leap into something new—the mind races between fear of regret and the pull of possibility. 

But what if the real decision isn’t about choosing a path right away? 

What if it’s about creating small, low-risk experiments that let reality, not anxiety, reveal the answer?

On HRSpotlight, founders, CEOs, physicians, coaches, and career strategists share the hard-won guidance that helped them (and others) navigate this exact crossroads. 

They talk about asking better questions: What would you regret not doing in five years? Where do your unfair advantages lie? Which conversations make time disappear? 

They advocate quick, tangible tests—shadowing, side projects, micro-consulting, 30-day sprints—while auditing past frustrations for hidden clues to future fit. 

Their collective experience shows that clarity rarely arrives through endless analysis or panic applications; it emerges when you start moving, measuring traction, and trusting the signals your energy and the market send back. 

Discover how to turn a painful pause into deliberate momentum.

Read on!

Joseph Depena
Owner, VP Fitness

I got laid off from my corporate job before starting VP Fitness in 2011, and honestly, I was terrified. But instead of jumping into another corporate role just for security, I asked myself one question: “What would I regret NOT doing five years from now?” That clarity led me to open my first gym.

Here’s what actually helped me decide: I made a spreadsheet with two columns–one for staying in my industry (corporate wellness consulting) and one for pivoting to gym ownership. I didn’t just list pros and cons; I wrote down specific numbers: potential income year 1, year 3, year 5, plus hours per week I’d actually enjoy the work. The pivot column had lower initial income but 90% “work I’d love doing” versus 40% in my old field.

My advice? Give yourself 2 weeks to test your pivot idea in the smallest way possible before making it official.
I started training 3 clients at 6am before my corporate job to see if I actually liked it day-to-day, not just in theory. By week 2, I was waking up excited instead of hitting snooze–that told me everything.

One thing nobody talks about: sometimes “sticking with your path” IS the pivot.

When I franchised VP Fitness in 2023, people said I was changing direction, but really I was just scaling what already worked.

Don’t assume you need to blow everything up–sometimes the next chapter is already written in what you’ve already built.

Regret Test Guides Bold Career Moves

Lucas Simmons
CEO, Gener8 Media

I got laid off from the Navy in a way–my contract ended and I had to choose between re-enlisting as a submarine engineer or jumping into content creation with zero safety net.

I chose the scary path, and here’s what made the difference: I didn’t wait to feel “ready.”

The pivot vs. stay question is actually the wrong frame. The real question is: where are you already spending your mental energy? After my service, I was reading marketing books at 2am and studying creators obsessively–my brain had already voted. I just needed to trust that signal instead of forcing myself back into what felt “safe” but soul-draining.

What helped me move fast: I gave myself one micro-project to prove capability in the new space. I produced one short documentary for a local nonprofit while still taking “normal job” interviews. That single project became my proof of concept, landed me three paying clients, and showed me I could actually do this.

You need one small win in the direction you’re curious about–not a business plan, just proof you can execute.

The decision made itself within 90 days because I was *doing* instead of *deciding*.

If your new path experiments feel like work, go back to your industry. If they feel like playing you’d do for free, you’ve got your answer.

Trust Energy, Prove It with Action

Sonny Da Badger
Content Creator, Support Bikers

I’ve pivoted multiple times in my life–from commission sales at Six Bends Harley Davidson to building Support Bikers into a nationwide directory connecting bikers across 18+ states.

The sales job taught me something crucial: when you’re struggling on commission and need results, you either find your lane or you starve.

Here’s my take–don’t decide based on fear of starting over.

When I had to sell my bikes twice because “life happened,” I could’ve given up on riding entirely. Instead, I came back stronger each time because motorcycles were always my true path.

Ask yourself if you’re genuinely done with your industry or just done with that specific job.

The pivot decision gets easier when you look at what you naturally gravitate toward during tough times.

When I worked Harley sales and money was tight, I didn’t retreat–I leaned in and became “The Badger” so customers would remember and ask for me. That hustle taught me I thrive when I’m building community, which is exactly what Support Bikers does now.

Test your new direction before burning bridges. I didn’t quit my day job to start Support Bikers–my wife Angie and I built it as volunteers first, grew it into Facebook groups across multiple states, then brought on sponsors and moderators. By the time it became my focus, I already knew it had legs.

Lean Into Your True Path Fast

Lou Ezrick
CEO, Evolve Physical Therapy

I’ve completely rebuilt my career twice–once moving from Israel to New York, then again when I left traditional PT clinics to start Evolve in 2010.
Here’s what made the difference: I didn’t leave because I was lost. I left because I knew exactly what was broken.

When I worked at high-volume clinics in Brooklyn, I watched patients get 15-minute sessions with generic exercise sheets while billing ran the show.

I had already spent years in Tel Aviv treating terror victims and soldiers–I knew what real rehabilitation looked like.

The gap between what I could do and what the system allowed was eating me alive. That’s when I knew I had to build something different.

If you can articulate the specific problem you want to solve in your next move, pivot.

When I started Evolve, I could tell you exactly what would be different: one-on-one hour-long sessions, manual therapy instead of exercise handouts, taking complex cases other clinics rejected. Fourteen years later, that clarity is why we’re still here.

But if you’re just angry at your boss or tired of your commute–that’s not a vision, that’s just a bad Tuesday.

I’ve hired people fleeing corporate jobs who thought PT would be “more meaningful” but had no idea what treating chronic pain actually requires.

They quit within six months because meaning without skill match is just daydreaming.

Fix What Broke, Then Build Better

Chase McKee
Founder & CEO, Rocket Alumni Solutions

I got laid off from investment banking before starting Rocket Alumni Solutions, and honestly, the decision wasn’t about staying versus pivoting–it was about following where I’d already been experimenting.

I’d been tinkering with recognition software concepts on nights and weekends because I was genuinely curious about the problem, not because it was a calculated career move.

Here’s what actually mattered: I looked at which conversations made me lose track of time. When I talked to school administrators about donor recognition challenges, three hours felt like twenty minutes. When I discussed financial models with former colleagues, I was watching the clock. That attention pattern told me everything.

The practical test I used was spending $2,400 on a prototype before quitting anything.

We built a basic interactive display and got it in front of five schools. Two said they’d pay for a real version. That signal–people willing to give you money, not just encouragement–is worth more than any pros-and-cons list.

One thing nobody tells you: your current path gives you pattern recognition that transfers weird ways.

My banking background seemed useless for ed-tech, but those skills in reading financial statements helped me spot which schools had budget authority to buy quickly.

Sometimes the “pivot” is just pointing your existing toolkit at a different problem.

Test Ideas Before Committing Fully

Holly Gedwed
Owner, Southlake Integrative

I’ve worked with countless clients facing this exact transition, and what I’ve learned is that career uncertainty rarely exists in isolation–it’s usually tangled up with deeper questions about identity and self-worth.

When you lose a job, you’re not just losing income; you’re losing structure, purpose, and often a huge piece of how you define yourself.

Here’s what I see consistently: people who rush to “figure out the right path” without processing the actual loss end up making decisions driven by anxiety rather than values.

I had a client who’d been in finance for 12 years and got laid off–he immediately started applying to similar roles because that’s what he “should” do.

In our sessions using CBT and Narrative Therapy, we uncovered that he’d been miserable for years but couldn’t admit it because his career was his identity.

The breakthrough came when we worked on separating who he was from what he did. We identified his core values (creativity, autonomy, helping others) versus the external validation he’d been chasing. He ended up pivoting to consulting work that aligned with those values–not because it was the “safe” choice, but because he’d done the internal work first.

My practical advice: spend two weeks journaling every morning about what you actually want your days to look like, not what sounds impressive or safe.

Write down the activities that made you lose track of time in past roles. That pattern works–identifying what genuinely energizes you versus what drains you–is how you’ll know whether to pivot or stay.

The right career decision flows from knowing yourself first, not from analyzing market trends.

Journal Values to Unlock Clarity

Margaret Phares
Executive Director, PARWCC

I’ve spent over three decades watching thousands of professionals steer this exact crossroads at PARWCC, and here’s what the data shows: 82 million Americans are unhappy in their jobs (Statistica, 2024), and most got there because they never asked one critical question before accepting their role.

Before you decide to pivot or stay your course, ask yourself: “What must I be seen doing on the job to be acknowledged as the go-to expert by my boss, colleagues, and most importantly, myself?”

If you can’t–or don’t want to–do those specific things in your current field, no amount of job titles or salary will matter. You’ll just be serving time, not building a career.

I coach clients through this by having them conduct what I call “due diligence exploration.” Pull 10-15 job descriptions in both your current field and potential pivot areas, then identify the patterns in required competencies and daily tasks.

The O*Net database is gold for this. You’ll quickly see whether you’re genuinely excited about the work itself or just romanticizing the idea of change.

Here’s the honest part nobody wants to hear: most pivots fail because people focus 90% of their energy on the problem (fear, uncertainty, job loss) instead of solutions.

The hurricane survivors I worked with in Tampa who rebuilt successfully had written plans, assembled teams, and maintained hope-filled visions.

Your job search needs the same structure–a daily action plan, not a “winging it” approach.

Define Your Expert Role First

Jason Roberts
Owner, 12 Stones Roofing

I got laid off from my last job before starting 12 Stones Roofing, and honestly the military taught me something crucial: sometimes you need to assess the terrain before you decide which direction to move.

I spent two weeks doing roof inspections with a buddy for free just to see if I actually liked the work or just the idea of being my own boss.

Here’s what nobody tells you: sticking with your current path only makes sense if the fundamentals are still solid. When I transitioned from active duty to contracting, I didn’t abandon my core skills–leadership, accountability, attention to detail. I just found a new application.

If your industry is dying or you genuinely hate the work itself, no new role will fix that. But if you loved the work and just had a bad employer, staying in your lane with better standards might be the move.

The real test is this: can you name three specific things you’d do differently in a new industry versus three specific companies you’d want to work for in your current one? Whichever list comes faster and feels more authentic is probably your answer.

I could rattle off exactly how I’d run a roofing company with military precision before I ever had a single contract–that clarity told me everything.

One practical thing: take on a small project or consultation gig in the industry you’re considering.

I did storm damage assessments on weekends before committing full-time. Cost me nothing but time, and it proved I could handle the technical side and the customer-facing pressure.

Don’t make a permanent decision based on theoretical interest.

Test New Paths Without Burning Bridges

Mitch Johnson
CEO, Prolink IT Services

I’ve seen this exact situation play out dozens of times with clients over 20+ years in IT–and honestly, the answer isn’t about choosing between staying or pivoting.

It’s about testing your assumptions fast with minimal risk.

When COVID hit, I watched businesses freeze trying to make the “perfect” decision about their future.

The ones who survived didn’t pick a lane immediately–they ran quick experiments.

One restaurant client repositioned their catering service into meal kits within 72 hours. Another retail shop founded corporate gift boxes as their main revenue. They found out by *trying* small things, not planning forever.

Here’s what I’d do: spend one week identifying three problems you could solve in your current industry and three in a potential new one. Then spend the next week reaching out to 5-10 people in each space–former colleagues, LinkedIn connections, whoever–and ask what’s keeping them up at night. You’ll know within 10 days which conversations energize you and where people actually need help right now.

The market will tell you the answer faster than any career coach.

During the pandemic, we saw companies that took two months to “strategize” lose opportunities to competitors who tested and adjusted weekly.

Your layoff just gave you permission to move faster than you ever could while employed–use that advantage before it expires.

Quick Experiments Reveal the Real Answer

The HR Spotlight team thanks these industry leaders for offering their expertise and experience and sharing these insights.

Do you wish to contribute to the next HR Spotlight article? Or is there an insight or idea you’d like to share with readers across the globe?

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Making the Right Call: HR Experts on Pivoting vs. Staying the Course

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From Friction to Feedback: Leaders on Turning Policy Pushback into Progress

In the disorienting silence after a layoff, when panic urges you to apply everywhere and fear whispers to play it safe, many find themselves frozen between two paths: double down on what they know or risk everything on a bold pivot. 

But what if the smartest move isn’t choosing one immediately—what if it’s learning how to test both without burning time or savings?

On HRSpotlight, founders, CEOs, physicians, neuroscientists, and career strategists share hard-earned wisdom for this exact crossroads. 

They reveal why rushing into either “stay the course” or “reinvent completely” often backfires, and instead offer practical frameworks: running parallel experiments, auditing transferable advantages, identifying real market gaps, leveraging past frustrations as clues, and letting small tests—not big declarations—guide the decision.

Their insights cut through the noise, showing that the strongest comebacks rarely come from panic or perfection, but from deliberate clarity and courageous experimentation. 

Discover how to turn uncertainty into your most strategic career move yet.

Read on!

Chase Mckee
Founder & CEO, Digital Record Board

I’ve been laid off from investment banking and faced this exact question before starting Rocket Alumni Solutions.

Here’s what nobody tells you: the decision doesn’t need to happen immediately, but your process needs to start day one.

I spent my first two weeks after banking doing customer interviews–not for a specific business, just talking to athletic directors and school administrators about their problems.

Those conversations revealed a $3M+ opportunity I never would’ve seen if I’d rushed into either “find another finance job” or “start any business.”

The key was staying in motion without forcing a premature commitment.

What worked: I gave myself 60 days to run small experiments in both directions.

I took consulting calls in my old industry while prototyping our first digital recognition display. By day 45, the market told me which path had momentum–our prototype closed three pilot schools before I’d gotten a single consulting contract renewed.

My concrete advice: pick the timeframe you can financially afford (30, 60, or 90 days), then run parallel tests.

Apply to roles in your field while solving one small problem in an adjacent space.

Whichever generates real traction–whether that’s interview callbacks or paying customers–is your answer.

The market decides faster and better than your gut ever will.

Run Parallel Tests, Let Market Decide

Dr. Cheryl Twu
OBGYN, Wellness OBGYN

I left a decade-long hospital career in 2022 to open my own practice–not because I wanted to abandon OB-GYN, but because I saw patients getting lost in high-volume systems.

The transition terrified me, but I didn’t treat it as a complete reinvention. I took every skill from those hospital years–robotic surgery techniques, patient communication systems, even my Mandarin fluency–and built them into Wellness OBGYN’s foundation.

Here’s what made the difference: I started with one clear problem I could solve better independently.

Women kept telling me they felt rushed during appointments and wanted more time to discuss hormone concerns or fertility options. So I designed longer appointment blocks and added holistic elements like stress-management counseling.

My patient satisfaction scores hit near-perfect levels because I wasn’t chasing a completely new identity–I was refining what I already did well.

If you’re recently laid off, audit what frustrated you most in your last role. That frustration is usually pointing at a gap you’re uniquely positioned to fill.
I watched colleagues burn out trying to become something entirely different, while the ones who thrived identified one specific thing they could do better than their former employer.

Your current expertise is an asset, not a limitation–the question is whether your industry’s structure was the problem, not the work itself.

Turn Past Frustrations Into Unique Solutions

Luke Sanders
General Manager, RiverCity Sportswear

I’ve run the same company for 15+ years and watched hundreds of employees face this exact crossroads.

Here’s what I’ve learned watching people steer career transitions: the best indicator isn’t passion or skills–it’s where you have unfair advantages that others don’t.

When I took over RiverCity from my father, I didn’t have MBA-level strategy knowledge. What I had was 40 years of vendor relationships, equipment knowledge, and customer trust already built into the business. That existing infrastructure gave me 5x revenue because I wasn’t starting from scratch.

One of my best hires was someone laid off from corporate sales who pivoted into our industry specifically because his existing client relationships translated directly–he brought accounts with him.

Look at what transfers that competitors can’t replicate quickly. If you’ve got 8 years managing restaurant supply chains, a pivot to food manufacturing makes you immediately valuable.

A jump to software sales means you’re a rookie competing against people with established networks.

I’ve seen people chase “exciting” pivots and struggle for years because they abandoned the compounding advantage of experience.

The real question isn’t passion versus security–it’s where your existing reputation, relationships, and domain knowledge give you a 6-month head start over everyone else applying for the same opportunity.

Leverage Unfair Advantages Before Pivoting

Dr. Sydney Ceruto
Founder, MindLAB Neuroscience

Feeling torn after a layoff isn’t just normal—your brain’s anterior cingulate cortex is basically stuck toggling between options, which drains energy and cranks up anxiety.

I’ve had clients in similar spots, some itching to pivot, some desperate for stability. The trick isn’t to rush the decision but to zoom out and tap into your own “counterfactual processing,” a nerdy term for how we learn from what-might-have-beens and reroute old habits.

One executive I worked with used a week of careful journaling—not the tidy kind, just freeform thoughts—to spot her actual motivation for staying in her field versus chasing something new.

Turns out, the act of writing calms the amygdala and gives clarity to deeper values.

Here’s the deal: try experimenting with micro-experiences—one client shadowed different teams in adjacent industries, then compared how her ventro-medial prefrontal cortex responded to unfamiliar environments versus her old comfort zone.

Usually, the body’s stress signals will clue you in before your logical reasoning even catches up.

So don’t over-index on polished plans or big pronouncements; let your brain and gut guide you for a bit.

Pivotal choices rarely come from spreadsheets—they emerge when you let yourself experience, reflect, and occasionally misspell a word in those messy notes.

Journal & Experiment for Brain Clarity

Soozy Miller
Executive Career Advisor, Control Your Career

When facing a career crossroads after a layoff, I recommend that the job seeker figure out what they want to do next and then research what those types of companies are looking for and make sure their experience fits that criteria.

I’ve guided professionals through major transitions, including helping a financial services VP who took a decade-long sailing career break successfully return to corporate leadership at Nasdaq.

The key to his success was identifying how his leadership strengths from an entirely different field could translate to corporate environments.

A methodical, targeted job search approach that highlights your skills and impact rather than just industry experience can open doors in both familiar and new sectors.

Research Market Fit Before Any Move

Usama Chaudhry
CEO & Founder, Primus Workforce Ltd

Being laid off can be difficult, but it’s also a chance to reset your direction with clarity and purpose. Here’s how to decide whether to pivot or stay the course:

Assess Your Passion and Skills

Ask yourself what genuinely motivates you and where your strengths lie. If your current industry no longer excites you, consider exploring a new path. But if you still enjoy your work, focus on leveraging your existing expertise to grow further.

Research Market Trends

Study which industries are expanding and align with your goals. Pivoting is smart only when it positions you for long-term growth, not just short-term change.

Leverage Your Network

Reach out to mentors or peers for honest feedback. They can help you evaluate your options, share insights, and connect you with opportunities.

Test Before You Commit

Take on side projects, freelance work, or short-term contracts in a new field. This allows you to explore new directions without fully stepping away from your current path.

Weigh Your Risk and Finances

Consider your financial cushion and risk tolerance before making a big shift. Sometimes, staying put while upskilling can offer stability and progress without a complete restart.

Assess Passion, Test, Then Commit

Pamela Cournoyer
Leadership Development Coach & Trainer, Powerful & True, Inc

When facing the uncertainty after a layoff, I recommend taking time to thoroughly research your options before making any decisions.

In my own experience with career transitions, I found that gathering information about different paths and consulting with trusted colleagues in my network helped overcome the initial fear and confusion.

The key is to approach this decision methodically rather than reactively, weighing both the practical aspects of each choice and your personal fulfillment.

With careful consideration, you’ll find clarity about whether to stay your course or pivot to something new.

Research Deeply, Choose With Intention

Meenal Patel
HR/Finance Administrator, Sociallyin

It’s normal to feel pressure and move fast after losing a job. But then, slowing down helps you to make better choices.

You should think about which part of your past work made you feel proud and which one drained you.

If your skills still fit what the company needs, staying in the same field might be smart. If not, take your time.
Try a short course or a small side project to test something new.

The goal is to find work that feels right for the person you are today.

Slow Down, Reflect, Test New Paths

Harriet Cohen
Management Consultant Advisor, Training Solutions

Before making the decision to pivot or stay, self reflection is required.

Often people are afraid to leave an industry, so I ask them to list what they love and hate about every job they have ever had.

Then I ask them to take the strengths found in Clifton 2.0 to identify their strengths which are more than skills. From this information they can target what they want to do more of to enjoy working and feel satisfied.

Next review ads on LinkedIn or wherever to see who is looking for what they have. Network with people working at the desired company. Create a functional resume and cover letter focusing on the skills needed by that company and submit it.

Strengths & Loves Guide Your Next Step

The HR Spotlight team thanks these industry leaders for offering their expertise and experience and sharing these insights.

Do you wish to contribute to the next HR Spotlight article? Or is there an insight or idea you’d like to share with readers across the globe?

Individual Contributors:

Answer our latest queries and submit your unique insights:
https://bit.ly/SubmitBrandWorxInsight

Submit your article:
https://bit.ly/SubmitBrandWorxArticle

PR Representatives:

Answer the latest queries and submit insights for your client: https://bit.ly/BrandWorxInsightSubmissions

Submit an article for your client:
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Please direct any additional questions to: connect@brandworx.digital

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Pivot vs. Path: Guidance from Business Leaders for the Recently Laid Off

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Pivot vs. Path: Guidance from Business Leaders for the Recently Laid Off

In the disorienting aftermath of a layoff—when urgency screams “apply now!” and fear whispers “settle for anything”—a quieter, wiser path often emerges: the deliberate pause that separates reaction from reinvention. 

What if this unwanted break isn’t just survival time, but a rare chance to interrogate what truly energizes you, what industries still hold promise, and which skills remain timeless? 

On HRSpotlight, accomplished founders, physicians, recruiters, coaches, and executives offer grounded, battle-tested guidance for that uncertain crossroads. 

They urge starting with honest reflection—dissecting the layoff’s cause, auditing past joys and drains, mapping transferable strengths, and testing small experiments—before committing to a frantic job hunt or hasty pivot. 

From spotting unmet needs in your field (like Dr. Seth Crapp did in pediatric radiology) to reframing the moment as purposeful redesign, these voices emphasize intention over impulse, clarity over speed, and alignment over reaction. 

Their insights remind us: the strongest comeback begins not with a resume blast, but with self-honesty and strategic breathing room.

Read on!

Laura Nguyen
Author, Career Break Compass

When you’re laid off, the instinct is to move fast: to update the résumé, apply, fix it. But first, give yourself permission to play.

Do something that brings you joy and resets your nervous system: take a long walk, cook a meal from scratch, or call a friend who makes you laugh.

Small joys restore energy before big decisions.

Then, pause and reflect. Journal what you loved and loathed about your last role. Notice where you felt proud, and where you felt small. This reflection rebuilds confidence and direction.

Next, plan. Update your résumé with impact metrics, take an online course, to learn new skills, and list the people in your network you’d like to reconnect with.

Finally, pursue with intention. Reach out to those contacts, set weekly goals for job exploration, and track your progress.

A layoff isn’t an ending. It’s a turning point toward clarity, confidence, and choice.

Play First, Reflect, Then Pursue Intentionally

Lily Shanks
CRC, My Internal Weather

As someone with personal and coaching experience around abrupt (and major) career shifts, what seems like a job “loss” could be a massive opportunity and gift to clarify and thrive in your career going forward.

Resist any fears – financial or otherwise – urging you to grab the first offer or impulsively change careers. Instead, capitalize on this time to reflect and invest attention in your future.

Consider:
– Assess what you liked and disliked about your recent job, and possibly previous jobs. What would you have changed?
– Write about your dream job/career. Imagine the most enjoyable, fulfilling scenario!
– Avoid job tunnel-vision. Yes, careers matter. So do health, relationships, hobbies, and more! How does your non-work life inform your future?

Finally, whether you plan to change careers, continue in the same field, or can’t decide, take one action to explore options aligned with your desired path.

Dream Job Vision Guides Next Move

Kim Wibbs
Lighting & Design Consultant, Residence Supply

Layoffs can feel like a hard stop, but they often mark the beginning of your most intentional chapter.

Before pivoting, take stock of what energized you most in your previous role — not just the tasks, but the impact you enjoyed making.

Sometimes the right move isn’t a full career change, but a reframed version of what you already do best.

I always recommend exploring your next step through small experiments: freelance projects, certifications, or even informational interviews.

These let you test new waters without burning bridges.

Whether you pivot or stay your course, choose a direction that aligns with your evolving strengths, not your past title.

Small Experiments Test Pivot or Stay

Dr. Seth Crapp
Founder & CEO, Specialty Focused Radiology

I got laid off during the pandemic when radiology volumes crashed by 40-50% nationwide and practices were cutting doctors across specialties.

I had just launched South Florida Radiology—terrible timing. I had to choose: find stable employment or keep building my company during the worst possible market conditions.

I stayed because I could see a specific problem nobody was solving: pediatric hospitals and community facilities had zero access to pediatric radiologists after-hours and on weekends.

Kids were waiting 12-18 hours for reads or getting misdiagnosed by general radiologists unfamiliar with pediatric imaging.

That gap was real, urgent, and I had the exact credentials to fill it.

Here’s my test: can you point to a concrete problem you’ve already solved that still needs solving at scale? Not “I’m good at marketing” but “I reduced ER wait times by 6 hours for pediatric imaging reads.”

If you’ve got receipts like that, double down even when it’s scary. If you’re reaching for vague skills, explore the pivot.

One move that saved me: I called 8-10 hospital administrators during the valley and asked what kept them up at night.

Four said “we’re sending pediatric cases to general roads and getting callbacks.

” That confirmation—that my solution matched their actual pain—gave me the conviction to ride it out.

We’re now covering 50+ hospital partnerships because I stuck with the problem I could uniquely solve.

Solve Real Problems, Double Down Boldly

Kathy Bremer
Managing Partner, Boardwalk Consulting

When someone’s been laid off, the instinct is to act fast—update the résumé, polish the LinkedIn profile, and start applying.

But before you do, take a breath and look inward. The real question isn’t what’s next?—it’s what’s right for me now?

Start by asking: What do I love doing? What drains me? What am I good at—and what truly energizes me?

You are a unique mix of strengths, experiences, and values. That combination is your competitive advantage.

As an executive recruiter and someone who’s navigated 5 career transitions, I’ve seen again and again that purpose drives clarity.

Your purpose evolves over time, and when you align your next move with your purpose—what you’re meant to do in this season of your life—you not only find work faster, you find work that fits and fulfills you.

Align Next Step with Evolving Purpose

Daniel Reynolds
Marketing Director, Dynamo LED Displays

Start with demand and strengths.

Map your wins and transferable skills to roles hiring now.

In our AV/LED world, candidates who show measurable outcomes and fluency with workflows like CMS, content ops, or Novastar/Brompton control land fast.

If your lane has momentum, stay the course while you test a pivot on the side.

Run a 30-day sprint. 5 informational chats a week, a targeted portfolio, and one small paid project to validate fit.

Add quick credentials if useful, e.g., CTS, GA4, or HubSpot.
Decide by evidence, not fear.

Track interviews, offers, and learning pace.

30-Day Sprint Validates Career Choices

Elia Guidorzi
Marketing Director, Techni Waterjet

Start with a one-page impact inventory: projects and measurable wins.

Example: cut scrap 18% and lifted uptime 7% by fixing abrasive feed.

If your results are process-agnostic (CNC, CAM, lean), a pivot to applications, automation, or technical sales are low risk.

If you have niche depth (5-axis waterjet, taper compensation, pierce strategies), double down with OEMs or integrators where that skill earns a premium.

Bridge fast with targeted certs and proof: OSHA 30, PLC basics, and CAM refreshers.

Build a simple portfolio with brief case studies and nesting reports. Ask your supplier network for leads.

Either path works if you can show gains in uptime, accuracy, and cost.

Impact Inventory Shapes Low-Risk Pivot

The HR Spotlight team thanks these industry leaders for offering their expertise and experience and sharing these insights.

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The Layoff Crossroads: Should You Pivot or Stick to Your Path?

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The Layoff Crossroads: Should You Pivot or Stick to Your Path?

Getting laid off feels like the floor just disappeared, yet every founder, CEO, and industry veteran we spoke to has the same quiet confession: some of their greatest chapters began the day they were shown the door.

The question isn’t “Should I stay or should I go?”—it’s “What evidence do I actually have that my best work is behind me in this field… or still ahead of me somewhere else?”

We asked nine battle-tested leaders who have started companies, switched industries, survived recessions, and turned side hustles into empires one simple thing: If someone they cared about was laid off tomorrow and genuinely unsure whether to double down or leap, what would they say over coffee?

Their answers are raw, specific, and surprisingly consistent: stop treating it as a binary choice between loyalty and betrayal. Treat it as a forced skills audit with the best timing you’ll ever get.

Read on!

Mike Erickson
Founder & CEO, AFMS

I’ve been in the logistics industry for over three decades, starting as a District Manager at Airborne Express before founding AFMS in 1992.

I’ve seen thousands of supply chain professionals steer career transitions, and here’s what actually matters from what I’ve observed.

The biggest mistake I see is treating this as an either/or decision when it should be a skills audit.

When I started AFMS, I wasn’t abandoning logistics–I was taking my carrier relationship knowledge and applying it differently.

We just helped a client save $2.3M annually by auditing their freight invoices, work that required the same attention to detail I used managing districts, just redirected.

Ask yourself: what specific skill made you valuable in your last role, not just your job title.

Right now in 2025, supply chains are in chaos–87% of shippers expect volume increases but 59% lack demand forecasting insight according to recent data I’ve seen.

That’s not a problem for your old industry or a new one, that’s an opportunity gap.

I watch companies spend 22% of operating budgets on logistics while leaving money on the table through poor carrier negotiations.
If you can solve expensive problems, the industry label matters less than you think.

One practical test: spend two weeks talking to people in adjacent roles to what you did.

I’ve found the best pivots happen when someone finds their core skill (analyzing data, managing vendor relationships, optimizing processes) is desperately needed somewhere unexpected.

A former client’s supply chain analyst just moved into healthcare procurement–same negotiation principles, different products, 40% salary bump.

Skills Don’t Expire, Labels Do

Seth Capp
Division Chief Pediatric Imaging, Specialty Focused Radiology

I faced this exact decision during the pandemic when radiology volume dropped 40-50% nationwide and doctors were getting laid off across all specialties.

I had just launched my company and had to choose: shut it down for stable employment, or push through the uncertainty.

I stuck with my path, but I transformed how I executed it. The pandemic proved telemedicine worked in radiology–something many doubted before.

Instead of just trying to survive the volume drop, I launched Pediatric Teleradiology Partners to fill coverage gaps that became critical when facilities couldn’t staff properly.

The crisis revealed the real need.

Here’s what actually matters: can you see a specific gap or problem in your current industry that you’re positioned to solve differently?

I didn’t leave radiology–I changed how radiology gets delivered. That’s less risky than starting completely over, but still lets you build something new.

The Goldman Sachs 10KSB program taught me that pivoting within your domain beats jumping ship entirely.

You already understand the pain points, the players, and the economics.

Use a disruption as a reason to rebuild better, not abandon what you know.

Crisis Revealed the Real Need

Rudy Mosketti
Founder, Rudy’s Smokehouse

I’ve been exactly where you are.

After 40 years in the restaurant industry, I got laid off and had to decide whether to keep chasing the same roles or finally take the leap I’d been thinking about.

In 2005, I opened Rudy’s Smokehouse instead of looking for another restaurant job.

Here’s what made the difference: I didn’t pivot to something completely new–I took everything I knew about restaurants and applied it my own way.

The skills were the same, but now I controlled the direction.

That meant I could build in things like our Tuesday charity program, which no corporate restaurant would’ve let me do.

My honest advice? If you’re burned out on your industry, pivot.

If you’re just burned out on your employer, stay in your lane but change the environment.

I wasn’t tired of restaurants–I was tired of not having control over how I served people.

Twenty years later, I’m still here greeting guests at the door because I picked the right problem to solve.

The market will tell you fast if you made the right call. We became one of Central Ohio’s top BBQ spots because I stuck with what I knew but did it on my own terms.

Burned Out on Bosses, Not BBQ

Travis Bloomfield
Managing Partner & CEO, Provisio Partners

I’ve made this exact call twice–once leaving the Air Force to enter consulting, then again co-founding Provisio in 2017.

Here’s what nobody tells you: the decision isn’t really about the industry or role. It’s about whether you can clearly articulate what problem you’re solving by making the move.

When I left military air traffic control, I didn’t just “go into tech consulting.” I saw organizations struggling with operational chaos that my Air Force systems-thinking could fix.

At Provisio, we didn’t just start another consulting firm–we identified that human services nonprofits had zero Salesforce partners who actually understood their world. That specificity mattered more than any industry credential.

The layoff gives you one advantage most people don’t have: permission to be honest about what wasn’t working.

Before you decide to pivot or stay, write down the actual daily tasks that energized you versus drained you in your last role.

When we work with nonprofits going through funding freezes, the ones who survive aren’t the ones with the most resources–they’re the ones who know exactly which activities drive their mission forward and which are just organizational theater.

Test your hypothesis before you commit.

One of our clients at CASL was collecting data on dozens of programs but had no idea which ones actually moved the needle.

Once we built dashboards showing their chef training graduates earned $16.25/hour versus $14.20 in other programs, they knew where to double down.

Do the same with your career–find a way to validate your pivot direction through a project, freelance work, or even structured conversations with people already doing it.

Solve a Problem, Not a Title

Brian Nguyen
Managing Partner, Universal Law Group

I actually made this exact pivot myself. I started at USC as a pre-med student with a clear path ahead, but quickly realized I had a weak stomach for blood and struggled with chemistry.

Instead of forcing myself down the wrong path, I switched to law–and it completely changed my trajectory.

Here’s what I learned: your current skills transfer more than you think.

When I left the DA’s office in 2007 to join a labor and employment firm, then later moved into personal injury and criminal defense, each transition built on what I’d already learned.

My prosecution experience now helps me maximize settlements for injury clients because I understand how the other side thinks.

My advice is to evaluate whether you’re running from something or toward something. I wasn’t running from medicine–I was moving toward work that actually fit my strengths.

If you’re genuinely drawn to a new industry, that pull matters more than the comfort of familiarity.

But if you’re just frustrated with one bad situation, consider whether a different role in your current field might be the better move.

The market rewards specialized expertise, but it also values people who can connect different disciplines.

My pre-med background gives our case managers an edge when evaluating medical claims that pure legal training wouldn’t provide.

Whatever you choose, find ways to make your diverse experience an asset rather than treating it like starting over.

Run Toward Fit, Not From Fear

Jeff Bogue
President, Momentum Ministry Partners

I’ve led Grace Church through major transitions over 30+ years, including our “30 campuses in 30 years” vision that required constant pivots. When we expanded from one location to eight campuses across three states, I had to personally wrestle with whether to keep doing what worked or completely reimagine our approach.

Here’s what I learned: the question isn’t “which path is safer”–it’s “where can I create the most Kingdom impact right now?”

When I became President of Momentum Ministry Partners in 2020, I had nearly two decades as a pastor and board member there, but stepping into the CEO role during a pandemic was terrifying.

I brought my pastoral leadership experience into organizational leadership, and that “mismatched” background became our strength.

We launched new initiatives like Momentum Marketplace specifically because I understood both church leadership and marketplace challenges from living in that tension myself.

My practical advice: look at your layoff as a forced margin to ask better questions. I tell our ministry leaders at Grace College Akron–don’t just ask “what job can I get?”

Ask “what problems do I see that I’m uniquely positioned to solve?”

Your current industry knowledge plus fresh outside perspective from a new field might be exactly what someone needs.

I’ve built a 150+ person staff by hiring people who brought unexpected combinations of experience.

One concrete step: spend this week writing down every problem you noticed in your old role that annoyed you.

Then research which industries desperately need someone who understands those exact problems.

When we expanded Grace Church, our biggest hires weren’t church professionals–they were business people who saw operational gaps we couldn’t even name.

Your layoff might be God clearing the deck so you can see opportunities you were too busy to notice.

Layoff Is Forced Margin for Clarity

Dan Keiser
Principal Architect, Keiser Design Group

I’ve been through economic downturns and career uncertainty myself–I graduated in 1993 during a recession and couldn’t return to my hometown like I’d planned.

My advice: don’t make the decision based on fear or pressure.

Take two weeks to really think about what’s been eating at you before the layoff happened.

When I was bouncing between three different firms early in my career, I wasn’t just job-hopping–I was intentionally building diverse experience.

I went from a 3-person firm to an 8-person firm to a 25-person firm, each teaching me something different.

That “wandering” became the foundation for starting KDG in 1995.

Sometimes what looks like a setback is actually positioning you for something better.

Here’s what I’d do: make a list of the projects or moments in your career when you felt most alive.

For me, it was those personal architecture projects I was doing on the side while working full-time–I had about 10 per year going while at Sullivan Bruck.

That itch told me everything I needed to know. If your list points back to your current field, stay the course. If it points somewhere else, you’ve got your answer.

One practical move: while you’re deciding, find a way to teach or mentor in your field.

I stumbled into teaching at Gahanna Lincoln High School in 1999 through a random newspaper ad, and it became the bridge that let me build KDG on the side.

Teaching clarifies what you actually know and love about your work, and it keeps you connected to your industry without the pressure of a full-time role.

Side Projects Whisper the Truth

Mina Daryoushfar
CEO & President, Rug Source

I came to the US as an immigrant in 2000 with nothing but my parents’ support and started in the rug business in 2002–zero connections, zero industry background.

Eight years later in 2010, I left that job security to open Rug Source.

That terrifying leap taught me something: your “wrong” timing might be the market’s perfect timing.

Here’s what nobody tells you about pivoting–your old industry knowledge doesn’t disappear, it becomes your edge somewhere unexpected.

When I started Rug Source, I wasn’t just selling rugs online like everyone else. I spent years learning how rugs are actually made, the craftsmanship behind hand-knotted pieces, which let me write product descriptions and answer customer questions in ways big-box stores couldn’t match.

That specific knowledge became our differentiation and why customers email us saying they “absolutely rely on getting excellent rugs at good prices” from us specifically.

My practical move: spend two weeks talking to people who frustrate easily with products in your old industry.

I mean actually call them, don’t just survey.

When someone got a rug delivered that didn’t match their expectations, I didn’t just process a return–I learned exactly what information was missing from our site.

Those conversations revealed that people needed guidance on rug sizes for specific rooms, which became our most-visited content and drives sales daily.

One thing I wish I’d known earlier–being laid off removes the guilt of exploring.

I spent evenings doing kickboxing and powerlifting at my gym while building Rug Source, and that physical separation from “work mode” let my brain make connections I’d have missed sitting at a desk.

Use this forced break to try one thing weekly that your old job schedule never allowed.

The pattern you notice might be your next business.

Old Knowledge, New Battlefield

Joshua McAfee
CEO & Founder, McAfee Institute

I’ve built careers from scratch in law enforcement, corporate security at Amazon, and now run a global certification company–so I’ve been on both sides of this decision multiple times.

The answer isn’t about the path itself, it’s about whether you’ve actually hit your ceiling or just hit a bad company.

Here’s what I do when someone asks me this: Look at the last five job postings in your field that excited you.

If you read them and think “I could crush that role but this company held me back,” stay in your lane.

When I left law enforcement for Amazon, I wasn’t leaving investigations–I was taking investigative thinking into a space that desperately needed it and would pay for it.

The real test is skill transferability versus starting over.

I see this constantly with our students–military investigators transitioning to corporate roles aren’t pivoting, they’re repositioning the same core skills.

One of our certified investigators went from local PD to a $140K fraud analyst role at a Fortune 500 in eight months.

Same investigative foundation, different application, way better compensation.

The only time I tell people to completely pivot is when their industry is dying or they’re physically burned out from the work itself.

Otherwise, you’re probably one strategic move away from the career you want–not a total rebuild.

Most people quit their industry two years before they would’ve broken through.

You Didn’t Hit a Ceiling, Just a Bad Company

The HR Spotlight team thanks these industry leaders for offering their expertise and experience and sharing these insights.

Do you wish to contribute to the next HR Spotlight article? Or is there an insight or idea you’d like to share with readers across the globe?

Write to us at connect@HRSpotlight.com, and our team will help you share your insights.

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Pivot or Persevere? Leaders on Your Next Move After a Layoff

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Pivot or Persevere? Leaders on Your Next Move After a Layoff

Layoffs force tough choices: pivot industries or refine current paths? 

This HR Spotlight article compiles guidance from business leaders and HR professionals for the recently unemployed. 

Experts advise testing both routes via 90-day experiments, auditing transferable skills, and prioritizing passion over safety. 

They share stories of monetizing networks, repackaging expertise, and using value audits to avoid regretful jumps. 

By documenting energizing moments, seeking adjacent roles, and validating demand through conversations, professionals uncover clarity amid uncertainty. 

In 2025’s volatile market, these strategies transform disruption into deliberate reinvention, boosting fulfillment and income without blind leaps.

Read on!

Tim Johnson
CEO, BIZROK

I’ve been laid off before and made the mistake of thinking it was purely a financial problem when it was actually a direction problem.

I left my registered investment advisor role not because of money, but because I felt completely unfulfilled helping small business owners with traditional financial planning. That misalignment was costing me more than any paycheck could fix.

Here’s what changed everything: I stopped asking “which path pays better” and started asking “which problem am I obsessed with solving?”

For me, it was watching my dad miss every out-of-town tournament because his business trapped him. That clarity led me to build BIZROK around scalability instead of going back into finance.

The pivot made sense because the problem consumed my thinking anyway.

My specific test: spend one week documenting what frustrates you most about your previous industry versus what excites you about a potential new one.

I filled an entire notebook with scalability problems I noticed everywhere–that’s when I knew pivoting wasn’t risky, it was obvious.
If you can’t stop thinking about problems outside your current field, that’s your answer right there.

One warning though–pivoting to “anything different” fails just as hard as staying in the wrong industry out of fear.

I’ve seen dentists leave clinical work to open restaurants and regret it within months. The question isn’t stay or go, it’s whether you’re running toward something specific or just running away.

Solve Obsessive Problems Post-Layoff

David Fritch
Attorney, Fritch Law Office

I’ve been through career transitions from multiple angles–Big 8 accounting firm to running my own law and CPA practices for 40 years, plus 20 years as a registered investment advisor.

The pattern I’ve seen work best is what I call the “adjacent move” rather than a complete pivot or staying put.

Look at what you already know deeply, then shift the application rather than starting from zero.

When I left Arthur Anderson, I didn’t abandon tax and accounting knowledge–I just moved it into serving small business owners directly instead of through a corporate structure.

That preserved my expertise while giving me a completely different lifestyle and income model.

Here’s what I tell coaching clients facing this: spend two weeks documenting every problem you’ve solved in your current role, then research which industries are desperate for those exact solutions but can’t attract talent.

A procurement specialist might find construction companies dying for supply chain help. A corporate trainer could find medical practices that need patient communication systems. You’re not pivoting–you’re repackaging.

The biggest mistake is treating this as binary. Take a bridge role that pays bills while you spend 10 hours weekly building credibility in the adjacent space–write LinkedIn posts, do free consultations, join industry groups.

I’ve watched too many people either jump blindly or stay frozen. Test your pivot hypothesis with real market feedback before you commit fully.

Repackage Skills Adjacent Industries

Dr. Elizabeth Barlow
Founder & CEO, Kinder Mind

I’ve worked with dozens of clients in this exact situation–recently laid off, stuck between familiar and new.

What I’ve learned from supervising clinicians nationwide and teaching in the UK is that the real question isn’t about the path itself, it’s about why you’re hesitating.

Most people I see are drawn to pivot because they’re running from something (burnout, toxic culture, feeling undervalued) rather than running toward something meaningful.

One client switched from finance to real estate after a layoff, only to recreate the same stress patterns in a new industry because we hadn’t addressed what was actually broken. Six months later, they were back in my office more anxious than before the change.

Here’s what works: spend two weeks documenting when you feel energized versus depleted in your current skillset.

I had a client track this and realized she loved the client-facing parts of marketing but hated the analytics.

She stayed in marketing but pivoted to a consultancy role focusing only on strategy sessions. Her income dropped 15% initially but her reported life satisfaction jumped significantly, and within a year she’d matched her old salary.

Test before you leap. Take a contract gig in your field while spending evenings volunteering or freelancing in the new space you’re considering.

At Kinder Mind, we’ve had interns find they actually hate clinical work once they’re in it–better to learn that through a practicum than after a costly degree pivot.

Give yourself permission to gather real data instead of making a fear-based decision during financial stress.

Track Energy, Test Options

Gerald Michaels
Owner, Adept Construction

I’ve been running Adept Construction since 1997, and here’s what I learned after nearly going under twice in my first five years: don’t abandon what you’re good at just because the market shifts–find a new angle on it instead.

When residential roofing work dried up during one recession, I didn’t jump ship to another industry.

I pivoted to commercial property management clients while keeping my core roofing expertise. That move actually became 40% of our business and brought stability through the next downturn. Same skills, different customer base.

The best indicator? Look at what former clients say when they refer you.

Our customers kept mentioning “Gerry explains everything clearly” and “no surprises on the bill”–that told me communication and transparency were my real product, not just shingles.

Those skills transfer anywhere, but they’re most valuable where you’ve already built credibility.

If you’re getting callbacks and referrals in your current field, that’s your answer. Stay and adapt your approach to serve a different segment.

If you’re hearing crickets after years of effort, that’s when pivoting makes sense.

Adapt Core Skills New Markets

Maxim Von Sabler
Director & Clinical Psychologist, MVS Psychology Group

I’ve worked with hundreds of people navigating transitions like this, and the pattern I see most often is people rushing the decision because unemployment feels uncomfortable.

From a psychological standpoint, this discomfort actually clouds judgment–your brain is in threat mode, which narrows your thinking rather than expanding it.

Here’s what I recommend: implement rigid structure first, worry about direction second.

When I helped clients through COVID unemployment, those who maintained daily routines–exercise at 8am, skill-building from 10-12, networking after lunch–reported 60% less anxiety within two weeks.

Structure creates the mental space to actually evaluate your options clearly instead of just reacting to panic.

Use this forced pause to test both paths simultaneously in small ways. Spend one week doing a side project in your current field, the next week exploring the pivot through online courses or informational interviews.

Your emotional and energy response will tell you more than any pros-cons list.

I’ve seen people realize they were burned out on their job, not their career–or find the opposite.

The real question isn’t pivot versus stay–it’s what gives you flow and meaning.

Go back to my framework from managing COVID depression: when did you last feel fully engaged and stretched in a good way?

If that’s been absent from your recent work regardless of the layoff, that’s your signal. Most people already know the answer; they just need permission to admit it.

Structure First, Decide Later

Jodi McConnell
CEO, Uniform Connection

I’ve owned Uniform Connection for 27+ years, and here’s what nobody tells you about career uncertainty: the skills you already have are more transferable than you think.

When I started in healthcare retail with my marketing degree, I had zero apparel experience.

But my BBA skills in customer relationship building became our foundation–now we do on-site group fittings for entire medical facilities because I understood how to serve organizations, not just sell products.

Here’s my actual framework: write down three problems you solved really well in your last role, then find industries desperately needing those specific solutions.

I was good at making purchasing decisions easy for busy people. Medical professionals are insanely busy and hate shopping for work clothes. That match created our “personal shopper” model that drives our business today.

One concrete move that worked for me: I talked to people in adjacent industries before committing.

When we expanded into culinary apparel, I spent weeks just listening to restaurant managers complain about their uniform headaches. Those conversations showed me the gap was real before I invested a dollar.

Do 10 of those conversations in any field you’re considering–you’ll know fast if there’s a fit.

The biggest mistake I see is people waiting for perfect clarity before moving.

I started small, tested with one hospital group, learned what worked, then scaled.

Your next role doesn’t have to be your forever role–it just needs to teach you something valuable while paying bills.

Transfer Skills, Test Demand

Christian Daniel
Video Editor & Web Designer, Christian Daniel Designs

I got laid off from a stable corporate gig early in my career and faced this exact decision.

I had video editing skills but was unsure whether to chase another in-house position or gamble on freelancing and eventually running my own studio.

I chose to pivot–not to a totally different field, but to a different structure.

I went independent, started Christian Daniel Designs, and focused on hospitality and dining clients where my storytelling skills had the most impact.

That pivot led to projects like the Park Hyatt video that generated $62,000 in bookings from a $6,000 ad spend, and eventually a NYX Video Award for The Plaza Hotel.

Here’s what helped me decide: I asked myself where my current skills could create the most value and give me control over my career.

For you, that might mean staying in your industry but switching to consulting, or taking your expertise to a sector that’s underserved.

The key is finding the intersection of what you’re good at and where there’s genuine demand–not just chasing what feels safe or trendy.

If you’re unsure, test both paths simultaneously. Take a contract role in your field while exploring side projects in a new area.

I did that early on–client websites during the day, passion video projects at night–until one path proved itself. You don’t have to burn bridges to explore new territory.

Test Both Paths Simultaneously

Charles Blechman
Founder & Coach, Manhattan Coaching Associates

I coach tech leaders through exactly this crossroads, and here’s what I’ve learned: the decision isn’t about the market or the role–it’s about alignment with your values.

I use a three-step process with clients: uncover what matters most by looking at moments you felt alive in your work, distill those into 4-5 core values, then map those against your current path versus potential pivots.

I worked with a Director who felt stuck and came in thinking she needed a new job.

Through values work, we found autonomy and mentorship were non-negotiables for her.

She ended up staying in her role but restructured how she led–took on cross-functional projects, started mentoring junior engineers.

Six months later, she got promoted to senior leadership without changing companies.

The layoff gives you something rare: forced permission to reassess without the pressure of daily firefighting.

Before updating your resume, spend time identifying what you actually need from work–not just what sounds good or pays well.

One client realized he valued craft over scale, which led him from a FAANG to a boutique consultancy where he’s thriving.

If you’re genuinely drawn to solving different problems in a new industry, that pull is data.

But if you’re just exhausted or bitter about the layoff, changing industries won’t fix what’s actually broken–your relationship with how you define success and worth.

Align Values Before Pivoting

R. Couri Hay
Co-Founder, R. Couri Hay Columns

I’ve reinvented myself multiple times over 40 years–from Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine to becoming a publicist, then royal commentator, and now columnist.

Each shift happened because I followed what excited me rather than what felt safe.

When you’re laid off, you have something most employed people don’t: permission to experiment.

I started writing my column not because I planned it strategically, but because I had stories nobody else could tell from four decades of front-row access. That authentic expertise became my differentiator.

Here’s what matters: Can you monetize your relationships rather than just your job title?

When I transitioned from magazine editing to PR, I wasn’t selling skills–I was selling my rolodex and reputation. Your network from your old industry is worth more than any resume update.

Test both paths simultaneously for 90 days. Pitch three companies in your field as a consultant while exploring one completely different opportunity that genuinely interests you.

Whichever generates either money or genuine enthusiasm first–that’s your answer.

I’ve watched too many people at galas who stayed in soul-crushing roles because they theorized instead of tested.

Experiment Both Paths 90 Days

The HR Spotlight team thanks these industry leaders for offering their expertise and experience and sharing these insights.

Do you wish to contribute to the next HR Spotlight article? Or is there an insight or idea you’d like to share with readers across the globe?

Write to us at connect@HRSpotlight.com, and our team will help you share your insights.

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