You’ve been laid off from your job. How can you use this as an opportunity to learn new skills?

2 Choose your learning path

Once you have a direction, you need to decide how you want to learn new skills. There are many options available, depending on your budget, time, and learning style. You can enroll in online courses, bootcamps, or certifications from platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or edX, or you can join a community of learners like Skillshare, MasterClass, or Lynda. You can also read books, blogs, podcasts, or newsletters, or watch YouTube videos or TED talks. The key is to find a learning path that suits your needs and preferences, and that provides you with relevant and practical skills.

3 Build your network and portfolio

Learning new skills is not enough; you also need to showcase them and connect with potential partners, employers, or clients. One way to do this is to create a portfolio of projects, case studies, or samples that demonstrate your skills and value. You can use platforms like Behance, Medium, or WordPress to showcase your work, or you can create your own website or blog. Another way to build your network and portfolio is to join online communities, forums, groups, or events related to your field of interest, and participate in discussions, challenges, or collaborations. You can use platforms like Meetup, Eventbrite, or LinkedIn to find and join relevant communities, or you can create your own.

5 Apply your skills and explore opportunities

Finally, you need to apply your skills and explore opportunities that match your goals and interests. You can look for jobs, internships, freelance gigs, or volunteer projects that require your skills, and use your portfolio and network to showcase your value and credibility. You can use platforms like Indeed, FlexJobs, Upwork, or VolunteerMatch to find and apply for opportunities, or you can create your own. You can also use your skills to start your own business, launch your own product or service, or partner with others who share your vision and passion.

You've been laid off from your job, but you don't have to let that stop you from learning new skills and pursuing your dreams. By following these tips, you can turn your layoff into a learning opportunity, and leverage your skills and network to create new partnerships and opportunities.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?