Career Tests After Getting Laid Off: Regaining Direction

Being laid off can feel like having the rug pulled out from under you. Beyond the financial stress, many professionals experience a profound sense of displacement and uncertainty about their next steps. Career tests can serve as valuable tools during this challenging transition period, helping you regain clarity and direction.

Career assessments offer structured methods to evaluate your skills, interests, values, and personality traits. These insights can be particularly valuable when you're forced to reconsider your professional path. Rather than viewing a layoff as merely an obstacle, many professionals later recognize it as a pivotal moment that redirected them toward more fulfilling work.

Types of Career Tests Worth Taking After a Layoff

• Skills Assessments: Identify transferable skills that can open doors to new industries
• Interest Inventories: Reconnect with work that genuinely excites you
• Personality Tests: Understand work environments where you're likely to thrive
• Values Assessments: Clarify what matters most to you professionally
• Strengths Finders: Focus on leveraging your natural talents

Many professionals report that the period following a layoff, while stressful, provided a rare opportunity to reassess their career trajectory. Career coach Marissa Thompson notes, "A layoff creates space for reflection that busy professionals rarely get. Career assessments provide structure to that reflection, helping turn a challenging situation into an opportunity for growth."

Free vs. Premium Assessment Options

Assessment Type	Free Options	Premium Options	Best For
Skills Assessment	LinkedIn Skills Assessment	YouScience Aptitude	Understanding transferable skills
Interest Inventory	O*NET Interest Profiler	Strong Interest Inventory	Exploring new career fields
Personality Test	16Personalities	Myers-Briggs Type Indicator	Finding suitable work environments
Values Assessment	Personal Values Assessment	Career Values Assessment	Aligning work with priorities

Career assessments are most effective when approached with an open mind. After a layoff, it's natural to feel pressure to find something quickly, but rushing into a new role without reflection often leads to dissatisfaction. Taking the time to understand yourself better through assessments can lead to more sustainable career decisions.

Implementing Assessment Results

Once you've completed various assessments, the critical next step is integrating these insights into your job search strategy. Consider creating a personal career criteria checklist based on your assessment results. This can help you evaluate potential opportunities against what you now know about yourself professionally.

Remember that career tests aren't crystal balls—they're tools for self-reflection. The most valuable assessments don't tell you what to do but rather help you understand yourself better so you can make informed decisions. Combined with market research and networking, these tools can significantly enhance your post-layoff career transition.

Many professionals discover that a layoff becomes the catalyst for positive change they wouldn't have otherwise initiated. By using career assessments strategically during this transition period, you can transform a challenging situation into an opportunity for meaningful career development and personal growth.