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After 15 months of unemployment, a run of short-term contracts, and offers misaligned with career goals, a former Big Tech professional accepted a role far below prior pay—over $20,000 less—in a culture that did not resonate.
Three days into the role came a stark admission: “A part of the soul was traded for a paycheck.”
Taking a survival job is often necessary, but it can leave professionals feeling adrift. It is possible, however, to rebuild your career deliberately, regain direction, and align your work with long-term goals.
How to rebuild your career after a survival job
In a role taken out of necessity, it is possible to regain momentum. The key lies in focussing on skills, networks, and goals while maintaining perspective.
Thoughtful planning and small steps can help move from survival to growth. Here are five ways to do it.
- Examine your gaps and skills: First, identify your strengths and areas for improvement. Focus on transferable skills such as communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills which can be used in different fields or positions. Look for career paths or qualifications that give you the opportunity to fill in the gaps and still keep your job.
- Reestablish a connection with your network: Networking in a professional capacity has a loaded value. The people who are in your circle of friends, past mentors, and ex-colleagues can not only give you valuable advice but also refer you to contact potentialities that are better than your present ones. The Reddit user also pointed out that even in tough times it is very important to hold on to your contacts by stating that a friend made it possible for them to get a survival job.
- Clearly define your career objectives: Describe the goals and ambitions that you have for the next year, three years, and five years. Usually, survival jobs are of a temporary nature, but having a clear plan for the next step will work in your favor in terms of strategic planning. If you want to make sure that you are moving towards a satisfying job, then you can set goals like learning new skills, creating a portfolio, or submitting a set number of applications that you have targeted.
- Put your perspective and well-being first: A survival job can strain both mental and physical health. The ex-Big Tech worker has disclosed that little perks like a short trip to work, pleasant co-workers, and family can do a lot to alleviate burnout and keep one's perspective.
- Examine both vertical and lateral movements: Check out the possibility of changing your direction but stay within your company or industry. While vertical moves are good to get back to the career momentum, lateral moves may allow you to work on new projects. Even if you are taking the smallest steps, you can still get back your self-confidence and make a move towards future positions that fit your goals and area of expertise.
Survival jobs, although not always the best, can be a bridge to a better future rather than a trap. By following through with a step-by-step plan, getting better at the skills that are required for the job, and building relationships in a strategic manner, professionals can move out of a temporary situation and into meaningful and purpose-driven work.
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