Four Tips for Launching a New Career after Divorce

Divorce can take a mental and physical toll on the body, but it can also take a toll on your career. Whether you were a stay-at-home parent and never started a career or you’re re-building your career, you may be feeling overwhelmed, defeated and unsure of where to start.

Here are four tips for launching a new career after divorce.

Fear is a Normal Response – But Positivity is Key

Divorce changes your entire life. It’s perfectly normal to be fearful or unsure of the future. It’s not necessarily easy to get a job, and it’s challenging to launch a new career later in life.

Don’t be too hard on yourself for being afraid. Instead of sitting by idly and allowing fear to consume your life, tame those emotions by taking action and shifting your perspective.

Replace negative thoughts with positive ones, and stay focused on your goal.

Follow Your Passion

Now is your chance to finally pursue your passion. When you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.

Make a list of the things that are important to you and the things you’re passionate about.

Once you’ve settled on a path, consider your route to getting there.

• Will you need training?
• Is the career path achievable?
• Do you have any contacts that can help you get your foot in the door?

It takes courage and strength to choose a career path doing something you love, especially if that career will mean having a rough start financially. But the sacrifice and hard work is often worth the reward of a fulfilling, satisfying career.

Know the Costs and Make a Financial Plan

It’s important to understand how much your career will cost. Will you need training? How much time will that take? Will you have to get another job in the meantime to support yourself until you reach your goal?

If you’re receiving spousal maintenance payments from your spouse, it’s important to understand the terms and length of the payments. If you are awarded temporary maintenance, you may not have much time to find a job and start supporting yourself.

“When one spouse makes payments to the other during the pendency of the divorce, it is referred to as temporary maintenance,” says divorce lawyer Scott D. Rogoff.  But note the key word – TEMPORARY.

Don’t waste time in finding a job and creating a financial plan if you’re currently reliant on spousal maintenance payments. The sooner you get back in the game, the better off you will be financially.

Once you have an understanding of your financial situation, you can create a plan to get ahead and avoid financial issues.

Network, Network, Network

Networking is essential in any career. The more connections you have, the easier it is to reach your goal and get your foot in the door of new opportunities.

Reconnect with old connections if you’re re-building your career.

Attend special networking or industry events. Get active on social media and connect with people in your desired field.

It’s easier to launch a career and find a job if you know someone who can put in a good word for you. Making these valuable connections is essential and will pay off in the long run.