How well do you rebound from career setbacks? Take this self-assessment to find out.
A version of this article appeared in the October 2014 issue of Harvard Business Review.
Rebounding from Career Setbacks
How well do you rebound from career setbacks? Take this self-assessment to find out. Brian was a rising star at his company. He advanced through several senior management roles and was soon tapped to head a business unit, reporting directly to the CEO. But after about two years in the job, despite his stellar financial […]
Summary.
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It’s not easy to recover from a big career disappointment such as getting fired or being passed over for a promotion. Many people sink into anger or denial, blaming situational factors or company politics. Though that’s a natural response, it can also prevent them from breaking free of the destructive behaviors that may have derailed them in the first place.
People who successfully rebound from career losses take a different approach: They do the hard work of figuring out why they lost, identifying which new paths they could take, and then seizing the right opportunity—whether that’s a different role in the same organization, a move to a new company, or a shift to a new industry or career.
Drawing on in-depth research and the authors’ consulting experience, this article offers practical guidance for transforming anger and self-doubt over what seems like a failure into focused exploration and excitement about the fresh possibilities the situation presents.
To gauge your ability to rebound from career setbacks, take the self-assessment at hbr.org/assessments/mirror-test.
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HBR Learning
HBR Learning
Career Management Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Career Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
What's your next career move? Learn how to set yourself up for success.