Episode Summary:

In this episode, Ana and Manreet discuss the complexities of career transitions, particularly in midlife. They explore the emotional impact of layoffs, the struggle of redefining one’s identity beyond professional roles, and the importance of building a support system during challenging times. Manreet shares her personal journey from being an immunologist at a large biotechnology company, being affected by an unexpected layoff, to embracing new opportunities in teaching, highlighting the lessons learned along the way about resilience, self-discovery, and the value of community.

Host: Ana Yun [Instagram | Website: www.anayun.ca | LinkedIn Profile]

Guest: Manreet Chehal [LinkedIn Profile]

Key Takeaways:

• Conversations about career struggles should be normalized 
• Identity can be multifaceted and is not be solely defined by one’s job
• Experiencing a layoff can lead to a profound sense of loss and identity crisis
• Building a support system is crucial during times of transition
• Reaching out to former colleagues can provide unexpected support and validation
• Embracing new opportunities can lead to personal growth and fulfillment
• The emotional journey of job loss is similar to grieving a loved one
• Self-discovery is a continuous process, especially during midlife transitions

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Career Transitions

04:28 Identity and Professional Growth

08:59 The Impact of Layoffs on Self-Perception

13:01 Navigating Career Expectations and Personal Life

15:12 The Emotional Journey of Job Loss

18:44 Building a Support System

23:20 Embracing New Opportunities

27:31 Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

Resources:

• Contact me if you’d like to chat about what next steps could look like: www.anayun.ca 
• Normalize and understand the grieving process with resources like Grief Recovery book
• Reframe your layoff: check out my personal layoff reflection
• Check out Guy Winch’s resources on building emotional resilience and his TedTalk: How to Practice Emotional First Aid
• Take an opportunity to rediscover your professional identity, check out my vision board blog article
• When you are ready to dive in, check out resources below:

LinkedIn Learning – free with through your local library.  Over 16,000 courses and instructional courses on interviewing; resumes; marketing plans; LinkedIn and everything in-between.
LinkedIn Learning Role Play:  As Career Coaches seek practical tools to boost a candidate’s confidence, LinkedIn Learning’s Role Play offers a game-changing solution. This AI-powered platform simulates real-world interview scenarios, allowing candidates to rehearse responses to common questions in a safe, interactive environment. It provides instant feedback on tone, clarity, and delivery—helping job seekers refine their communication skills and reduce interview anxiety. With customizable scenarios across industries, it’s ideal for candidates at any career stage. Encourage your candidates to use Role Play as part of their interview prep—it’s like having a virtual coach available 24/7 and is a great resource for alumni candidates too. 
 

The Job Bank’s “Get to Know Yourself” resource is a valuable tool for Canadian career coaches to guide candidates through self-reflection as the foundation of career planning. It offers quizzes and exercises to help individuals identify their strengths, skills, values, and preferences, enabling them to make informed career decisions aligned with their authentic selves. Coaches can use this resource to facilitate discussions, encourage honest self-assessment, and connect candidates with labour market information and training options. By integrating these tools, coaches empower candidates to explore suitable career paths confidently and strategically, making the transition smoother and more purposeful.  

LinkedIn Career Explorer is a dynamic tool that uncovers hidden career paths by mapping existing skills to thousands of roles.
Why It Matters:

• Skill Mapping: Reveals a list of skills for a particular role and unexpected career paths by highlighting transferable skills and probability match.
• Upskilling: Identifies missing skills and links to LinkedIn Learning courses, streamlining professional development
• Networking & Jobs: Connects candidates to professionals in target roles and local job postings which help to increase a candidates LinkedIn profile and presence.

Strengths Finder:  Candidates often question their strengths – what are they good at or known for?  Have them check out this free survey to discover their character strengths, as a way to discover greater joy in living in alignment with themselves. Strengthen connections by applying what they’ve learned and helping them to answer the interview question – what’s your greatest strength?  
 
OpportuNext uses Canadian Labor Market Information (LMI) to provide data-driven insights into job roles with strong growth prospects and competitive wages. By entering a current job title, users are presented with relevant career options, highlighting roles that match their skills and offer positive employment outlooks.