Losing a job unexpectedly can be one of life’s toughest challenges for anyone. For midcareer professionals who have built years of experience and expertise in their role or at their company, a turbulent economy and highly competitive job market can make it challenging to bounce back. Yet, such unforeseen transitions are also powerful opportunities to pause, reflect and realign oneself with meaningful long-term goals.

Here, 18 members of Forbes Coaches Council offer guidance and encouragement, sharing their top insights and advice for navigating sudden midcareer unemployment. Use their tips below to transform an exceedingly difficult and challenging period into a chance to rediscover and redefine what success means.

1. Use The Pause To Reassess What You Truly Want

Soak it in! A midcareer hiatus is a great opportunity to reassess. Conduct a “Keep, Stop, Start” exercise on your career, exploring what you want to keep, what you’d rather not have and what you’d like to start experiencing in your next role. Take the opportunity to make shifts in your résumé and job search to leave behind the things that no longer serve you and find the right next step in your journey. – Jennifer Wilson, ConvergenceCoaching, LLC

2. Rebuild Confidence By Reviewing Your Strengths

Confidence can slip during times of uncertainty. Write down and review your best strengths, skills, achievements and reasons why you’re exceptional. Review this list daily. Affirm your worth, visualize your success clearly and thank yourself each day for every effort you make. Your belief shapes how you show up. Be your own hero, because you absolutely have what it takes. – Thanh Nguyen, The Encourage Team

3. Breathe, Slow Down And Reflect On Who You Are Today

Breathe. Slow down, take time to reflect on your unique strengths, talents, gifts and experiences. An upset is your opportunity for a reset to assess what you want for your life now that aligns with who you are today. Breathe. Find an accountability coach you trust who will challenge you, guide you forward, support and cheer you on as you navigate what’s next. Breathe. All will be well. – Dr. Helen Holton, Dr. Helen Holton and Associates

4. Craft A Bold Vision For Your Next Chapter

Start by writing a bold, inspiring vision for your life and business—one that excites you every morning. Define your dream role: Highlight your strengths, passions, unique talents, ideal team, environment and desired income and compensation. Then go find the company, opportunity or platform that aligns with it. When your vision is clear, the right path becomes obvious—and you become unstoppable. – Andrea Bullard, Andrea Bullard & Company

5. Reclaim Your Narrative Before Rushing Ahead

Own the pause, reclaim the narrative. Don’t rush to replace the job—pause to realign. Job loss can feel like identity loss. But this disruption is also a rare opportunity to reclaim your narrative, reconnect with your values and consciously choose your next chapter. In today’s market, your edge isn’t your title—it’s your clarity. Move forward not just to get hired, but to get aligned. – Deepa Vohra Bahl

6. Leverage Your Purpose, Brand And Network

Focus on your purpose, network, personal brand and goals. Leverage your experience to showcase the value that you have brought to individuals, the workplace, and the community—not just titles. Highlight measurable results, solutions and adaptability. Remain visible, connect with people, level up your skills where needed and treat this transition as a strategic pivot, not a setback. – Chris Aird, With Purpose

7. Celebrate Accomplishments And Create New Goals

Seize this moment to pause and reflect—what have you accomplished? Celebrate! What remains unfinished that you want? Use this transition to reset or refresh your professional goals. Determine what it will take to reach them, plan strategically and engage your network. Don’t wait for an opportunity—create it. This can be your greatest pivot point, not your endpoint. Take bold, aligned action forward. – Yolanda Greer, Elevate U Consulting

8. Be Realistic And Strategic About Your Job Search

The job market is tough, especially for experienced professionals. Be realistic about your timeline, knowing it may take three to six months to land your next role. You can accelerate this with a strategic, intentional and laser-focused search that prioritizes quality over quantity. Apply for roles where you are uniquely qualified. Tailor your résumé and network your way into interviews. – Dr. Kyle Elliott, MPA, CHES, CaffeinatedKyle.com

9. Highlight The Human Skills AI Can’t Replace

Learn to leverage AI to boost your value and identify your traits that AI can’t replace. Make those traits visible by showing off examples and applying them in everything you do. Focus on empathy, EQ and customer experience alignment with your work. Make it visible in all possible forums. Share your knowledge and have an opinion. – Nav Thethi, The Nav Thethi

10. Avoid Shrinking Ambition; Reclaim Your Future

This is an opportunity for a professional reckoning. The real risk? Shrinking your ambition to feel in control. Use this space to reflect on who you’ve become, what you truly want and where your energy belongs now. This is as much about bouncing back as it is about rising aligned. Don’t rebuild your old role. Reclaim your future with the clarity and conviction you deserve. – Mel Cidado, Breakthrough Coaching

11. Remember Your Value Beyond Job Titles

Losing a job is tough. Yet, remember: You are the presence behind the position. Your unique clarity, care and quiet power remain whole. This isn’t an ending; it’s a return to what truly matters. Instead of rushing to replace, realign with your inner wisdom. What new future will you build when you truly rise to reimagine? – Neerja Bhatia, Rhythm of Success

12. Define Yourself Beyond Your Work

Even in challenging times, don’t let being out of work define you. You are much more than this—you are everything that makes you unique—your expertise, your leadership, your strengths, your relationships, your accomplishments and everything that makes you you. Step back, take time to look at yourself and begin to see the possibilities of what you can create. Your future is yours to define. – Elizabeth Semion, Elizabeth Semion & Associates

13. Build A Personal Platform, Not Just A Résumé

Stop job hunting—start platform building. Position yourself as a one-person enterprise solving real industry pain points. Package your expertise, lead with purpose and create opportunities that make you indispensable—not just employable. – Rachana Adyanthaya, Cr8mychange

14. Position Yourself As The Solution To Industry Needs

Resist the “desperation application” trap. Instead of spraying résumés, conduct “industry ethnography”—research three to five target companies’ challenges. Position yourself as the solution to specific problems. One executive landed a VP role by identifying supply chain vulnerabilities and proposing solutions during interviews. You’re not unemployed—you’re conducting market research. – Nirmal Chhabria

15. Focus On The Value You Bring, Not Just The Role

First: Don’t take it personally, even if it feels deeply personal. Ask yourself: What am I really great at, and what kind of problems do I still want to solve? Then, go build relationships around that. Don’t obsess over slotting back into the same role at the same level. Instead, lean into the value you bring, be clear about it and show up generously. People hire energy, not just résumés. – Veronica Angela, CONQUER EDGE, LLC

16. Take Advantage Of Outplacement Services

This is very tactical advice; however, I find it is a missed opportunity for many. Contact the outplacement services that are offered, and if they’re not offered, reach out to your HR contact to request services. Leverage all of the free services available, including headshots, résumés, updating social media and making connections. This sets a strong foundation for whatever direction you choose. – Laurie Waligurski, LGW Executive Consultants, LLC

17. Reconnect With Your Worth Outside Of Work

Know your worth beyond your job. That can be hard if you’ve poured yourself into your career and tied a big part of your identity to it—understandably so. There are many ways to reconnect with your value, but find a way to get in touch with who you are, what you bring and how that benefits others outside of work. Don’t expect the next job to do that for you. – Kelly Stine, The Leading Light Coach

18. Rebrand, Reposition And Reemerge Stronger

Back yourself. You’ve built serious value—own it. This isn’t the end, it’s a strategic pivot. Get crystal clear on what you want next, sharpen your personal brand and start bold, proactive conversations. The market’s tough, but so are you. Don’t retreat—reposition and reemerge stronger than ever. – Peter Boolkah, The Transition Guy

This article was originally posted on Forbes.com.