On career resilience, and finding the best next step when things aren't going the way you hoped.

1. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR
JOB DOESN’T WORK OUT?
AUDREY ESCHRIGHT / ACT-W 2016

2. SO LET’S SAY…
YOU START A NEW JOB. YOU WANTED THIS JOB.
IT’S GOING PRETTY WELL.
UNTIL…THINGS HAPPEN.
YOU START TO WONDER IF THE JOB
IS WORKING OUT.

3. CAREER RESILIENCE
COMMON TROUBLE SPOTS:
▸ you’ve been there more than 6 months and your
perspective has changed
▸ your role has changed – it’s no longer a good fit
▸ you’ve changed – the job hasn’t
▸ not getting promoted, resources, support
▸ underpaid, overworked, burned out

4. CAREER RESILIENCE
BIG PROBLEMS
▸ overt hostility, harassment, abuse
▸ ongoing microaggressions or disrespect
▸ thinking intersectionally – is there respect for workers’
gender, race, sexuality, health/disability, age?
▸ your job is literally making you sick
▸ the company is falling apart (i.e. your paycheck bounced)

5. IS IT ME
OR
IS IT THEM?
CAREER RESILIENCE

6. CAREER RESILIENCE
WHAT TO ASK
▸ are my coworkers experiencing the same thing?
▸ compare team, job role, demographic
▸ have I internalized negative messages about this situation?
▸ I don’t try hard enough
▸ I’m too sensitive
▸ it’s all my fault

7. TIME OUT
FIND YOUR SUPPORT.
A FRIEND, A TRUSTED COWORKER, A THERAPIST.
YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO CAN LISTEN.
NO ADVICE UNLESS YOU WANT IT.
YOU DESERVE A JOB THAT’S HEALTHY AND
SUPPORTIVE OF YOU.

8. CAREER RESILIENCE
SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?
▸ can you afford a gap in income?
▸ do you have time/energy for a job hunt?
▸ is there room to negotiate where you are?
▸ what’s the next step you want to take in your career?
▸ do you have support from coworkers, managers, execs?

9. CAREER RESILIENCE
MAKE A PLAN
▸ self-care first
▸ get back in touch with your interests and needs
▸ create a safety net

10. CAREER RESILIENCE
A FEW OPTIONS TO CONSIDER
▸ same thing, different company
▸ a change in role or team where you are
▸ take a vacation, sabbatical, or disability leave
▸ go for your dream job
▸ start a business, do consulting, freelance
▸ leave the tech industry (it’s not the end of the world!)

11. CAREER RESILIENCE
MAKE YOUR MOVE: IF YOU LEAVE
▸ remember: coworkers are likely to protect the status quo
▸ use your safety net
▸ talk to an employment lawyer if you have concerns about
liability or your rights

12. CAREER RESILIENCE
MAKE YOUR MOVE: IF YOU STAY
▸ you don’t have to do more than your most basic job
requirements - say no to extras and self-imposed pressures
▸ create more work/life separation
▸ use your internal support and allies

13. REMEMBER
BAD JOBS HAPPEN TO MANY PEOPLE.
IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT WHEN THINGS DON’T WORK
THE WAY YOU EXPECTED.
YOU CAN LOOK AT WHAT’S HAPPENING, FIND
SUPPORT, AND DECIDE WHAT TO DO NEXT.

14. <3
GET IN TOUCH
▸ Audrey Eschright / lifeofaudrey.com
▸ if this was helpful, you might also enjoy my magazine:
The Recompiler / recompilermag.com