As fellow professionals will surely tell you, employment changes are very real and can sometimes happen in the blink of an eye. Despite the recent boom in job creation on a national level, the energy industry is not immune to job cutbacks. Duke Energy’s announcement in February to permanently shut down the Crystal River 3 nuclear power plant resulted in the layoffs of approximately 585 skilled energy workers. Fortunately for energy industry employees, where one job closes, another one is opening. If you have recently been laid off, consider the following strategies for finding your next energy job opportunity quickly and efficiently:

  • Remain positive. Job cutbacks are frustrating for everyone involved, especially for those who have been laid off. You have every right to feel angry, bruised, or depressed, but don’t let these feelings get the best of you. Take this period of downtime to reflect on where you have been in your career thus far and where you may like to go next.
  • Evaluate your options. Research the areas that interest you. Network as much as possible and take every opportunity you can to learn something new and improve upon your strengths and skills. Try not to restrict yourself and explore new areas of interest that you may not have the option to experience before.
  • Partner with an energy recruiter. An energy industry recruiter is your best resource during a layoff. These specialized staffing partners know which companies are hiring candidates with your skillset, usually before the positions even hit the job boards or company website; this in turn gives you a competitive edge over other job seekers. On top of unlocking inside access to great energy job opportunities, energy industry recruiters can help you get your foot in the door and minimize your downtime between jobs.

If you have found yourself at the mercy of recent job cutbacks, do not let yourself feel defeated. Instead, take this opportunity to discover where you want to go next in your energy career and partner with an experienced, energy-specific staffing firm. FootBridge Energy has more than a decade’s worth of experience in energy job placement and believes in fostering strong relationships with its clients and companies. To learn more about enhancing your career in the energy sector, review our current energy job openings or contact the energy employment specialists at FootBridge Energy today!