If you're in a career transition and didn't choose to be, seeing the positive side of the change can be difficult. Nevertheless, many people can look back later and see that a forced change was a blessing. You can discover new opportunities as you make tough career choices, reidentify your career goals, and use the job transition as an opportunity to move forward in your career.

If you're currently out of work, remember that who you are as a person hasn't changed, even if your work status has. Being out of work means nothing more than that you're in a transition phase. Don't make it mean something that it doesn't, don't lose your sense of self, and don't apologize for it or over-explain the situation. Maintain your professional confidence and strength. Companies merge, downsize, are bought, close, and reorganize every day. When that happens and you end up out of work, it's not personal. And it's not necessarily bad. Being temporarily out of work doesn't imply anything negative about you.