Divorce represents both an ending and a new beginning. As you transition from married life into the norms of post-divorce life you may find yourself embracing this period as a time to level up on personal and professional goals.
Reclaiming your independence after the breakdown of a marriage can serve as a catalyst for reassessing all aspects of what defines you. For example, compelling an examination of work-life balance and consideration of career changes for professional growth. Circumstances vary widely in terms of professional background and experience, of course, so there certainly is no one-size fits all approach to managing career transitions.
You may have invested many years into homemaking or being a primary caregiver. Perhaps you worked with your spouse in business and want to establish a separate identity apart from that. In some cases, spousal support payments from the one who earns the highest income to the one who earns less may be included, with a set timeframe during which all parties must become fully self-supporting. In any case, a job search can feel daunting, but there are ways to ease a changeover and make it more rewarding.
Finding New Opportunities
Your first instinct may be to find the most reliable source of steady income once the decision to divorce has been made, especially if you are facing financial hardship. However, if your share of the marital assets and/or spousal support provides enough financial stability, consider taking time to reflect on your unique skills and abilities. Ask yourself what type of work you enjoy doing, and what brings a sense of purpose and success?
Whether you’ve always wanted to take on culinary classes and start your own catering business, have an innovative idea for a web application, or dreamed of turning your knack for entertaining and hosting events into a party planning career, this may be the most opportune time to pursue new goals.
Even if you have stepped away from the workforce for months or years and the job market has changed do your best not to feel intimidated when you see the employment gap on your resume. Instead, focus on your accomplishments during that time and highlight those achievements.
For instance, if you were coaching little league games as a stay-at-home parent, fundraising for your child’s school programs, or volunteering in community services like food drives, describe those accomplishments in a way that impresses your true qualifications upon hiring managers.
If you were employed during the marriage but felt as though you were stuck in a dead-end job, try to reframe your experience and what you did well in that position. As opposed to saying something along the lines of “stuck in a dead-end job,” simply point out your strong loyalty to those you work for as a positive attribute for your prospective new employer.
Ultimately, what can be most beneficial to forging a new career path is networking. There are professional networking groups you can join, many of which are free to new members. Also, consider career counseling to inform you about current trends in skills development and careers in demand.
Balancing Work and Family
A career change on top of every other challenge that arises through the divorce process – housing arrangements, child custody schedules, paying bills without a partner’s help – is a lot to manage all at once. Without solid support systems to rely on reaching new career goals, much less striking a healthy work-life balance, can feel next to impossible. For some, flexible schedules may be as appealing as the compensation package a position offers.
As you begin to prioritize these issues remember to ask for help when you need it. It’s important to request and receive support from your loved ones throughout this transition. As a quick example, if you need assistance with a school pickup that you are unable to make at the last minute, try to arrange for a trusted relative to be on call as a backup plan. If you have a close friend or family member with a successful career in your field of interest, ask if they can mentor you or provide career tips and advice.
Since you might have continued postponing career changes indefinitely had stayed married, the ideal time to navigate this transition is after a divorce. However, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to do it all on your own. Believe in yourself and be empowered to envision and pursue new career dreams and goals. It may not be easy but it will be incredibly worthwhile.