- Out of work, out of place: how career loss shatters belonging and identity — and the journey to rebuild both
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Date Posted: Wed, 24 Dec 2025
Out of Work, Out of Place: How Career Loss Shatters Belonging and Identity
As the festive season approaches — a period traditionally associated with connection, routine, and belonging — new insights from M3 Job Club reveal a starkly different reality for many mid‑career professionals navigating job loss. For those suddenly displaced from long‑held roles, the absence of work is not simply a financial shock; it is a profound rupture in identity, confidence, and social belonging.
Recent conversations with members of M3 Job Club echo themes voiced by high‑profile former athletes such as Alun Wyn Jones, former Wales rugby captain, and Karen Carney, former England footballer. Both have spoken publicly about the psychological weight of transition and the unexpected difficulty of rebuilding confidence after leaving elite professional environments.
During the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final, Carney reflected on how the experience helped her reconnect with a sense of purpose after six years away from competitive sport, saying: “I feel like a team again, feeling like an athlete after 6 years of not.” Her words mirror the sentiments of many professionals who describe job loss as a dislocation from community and identity.
Jones, who has also spoken candidly about the challenge of transition, described the experience as “a jigsaw puzzle with no picture on it.” His reflection captures the uncertainty many face when routine disappears and the next step is unclear.
Data from M3 Job Club highlights the hidden timeline of this adjustment:- 15% seek support immediately after losing work
- 41% wait three months or more
- Around 20% wait over six months
- Nearly 10% wait a full year
- 3% wait two years or longer
- Nearly 50% have been out of similar work for 6–12 months or more
- Around 20% for 9–12 months
- 15% for over a year
- Around 10% for more than two years
- Only 20% return to similar‑level roles
Yet within this disruption lies possibility. As Jones noted, “This is an opportunity to choose what I want to do for the rest of my life.” His words reflect a growing recognition that career transition is not merely a continuation of the past but an evolution toward something new.
As the year draws to a close, the findings raise a broader question: how can society better support those navigating the psychological and practical realities of career loss? For thousands of professionals, rebuilding belonging is as critical as securing employment, and both take time.
Quotes source: WalesOnline
Picture credit: ©Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire
- The CV Conundrum
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Date Posted: Fri, 3 Oct 2025
The CV Conundrum
Fri, 3 Oct 2025
Ever wondered what really happens when your CV lands in the hands of recruiters, HR, or hiring managers?
At The CV Conundrum today, we took a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how professionals actually review CVs.
Key Takeaways:
Put key skills up front to make an impact fast.
Balance writing for humans and electronic systems (ATS).
Reduce wasted white space to keep it clear but concise.
Remember: AI review vs ATS screening can differ.
The 7-second rule is real. First impressions matter.
Ensure your CV is truly ATS friendly.
Use strong formatting & clear headings for readability.
Featuring expert insights from:
• Tracy Fisher MCIPD, Otter Jobs
• Felix Obadaki, M923 Consulting
• Hannah B. at Clarion Futures
• Sarah McKinlay FCIPD at SJ McKinlay Consulting
What participants gained:
Seeing through the eyes of a hirer – what gets noticed, what gets skipped.
Perspectives across different industries (no one-size-fits-all!).
A clear view of each CV review stage – from skim to shortlist.
Practical strategies to stand out in a competitive job market.
Thanks to everyone who joined us, and remember, your CV isn’t just a document, it’s your first impression. Make it count.
- “Unlock the Power of Connection: Networking Skills That Make a Difference”
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Date Posted: Fri, 26 Sep 2025
Unlock the Power of Connection: Networking Skills That Make a Difference with Gill Cheesewright
Fri, 26 Sep 2025
At the M3 Job Club today we hosted
“Unlock the Power of Connection: Networking Skills That Make a Difference”
with Gill Cheesewright
A truly energising workshop that turned networking from something we “have to do” into something we can actually enjoy.
Gill reminded us that networking isn’t about collecting contacts, but about creating meaningful, lasting relationships.
Here are the top takeaways:
• Craft and practice your personal statement, be clear, confident, and concise when introducing yourself.
• All interactions are opportunities. From formal events to casual chats, connections can happen anywhere.
• Be comfortable making the first move. Confidence opens doors (and conversations!).
• Find a networking buddy. Teaming up can make it easier to approach new people.
• Reconnect with people from the past. Old connections can spark fresh opportunities.
• Handle tricky moments with ease. Whether joining a group, steering a chat, or exiting gracefully.
• Relax and be curious. Genuine curiosity builds trust and makes networking feel natural.
Networking is less about the number of people you meet and more about the depth of the connections you create.
A huge thank you to Gill for making this session engaging, practical, and confidence-boosting.
- Assemble Your AI Squad: Mastering Job Search Efficiency
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Date Posted: Fri, 19 Sep 2025
On Friday we had an inspiring session on AI-Powered Career Acceleration & Personal Branding at the M3 Job Club.
This workshop was all about harnessing AI as a powerful ally in your job search and career journey helping us apply smarter, not harder, and transform achievements into a standout personal brand.
Key Takeaways:
· Review your privacy settings
· Remember: AI is a tool (and the magic lies in writing a good prompt!)
· Stay skeptical & mindful — always sense-check outputs
· Build and maintain a Master CV
· Use the STAR method to strengthen applications and interviews
· Leverage AI to write stronger LinkedIn content
· …and keep count of your applications to stay on track
Participants left with:
· A framework for a Master CV to make applications and interviews easier
· AI-powered techniques to research, connect, and apply with precision
· Personal branding strategies to shine and get noticed on LinkedIn
- Optimising Your Mindset: Practical Tools for Lasting Change
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Date Posted: Fri, 12 Sep 2025
Optimising Your Mindset: Practical Tools for Lasting Change with Matthew Wood
Thanks to Matthew Alexander Wood, for a powerful session exploring how mindset and language shape our reality. The energy in the room was inspiring, and it was clear how much possibility opens up when we challenge our thinking.
Together, we explored how our beliefs and words influence our experiences—and how just a few simple shifts can create lasting change.
The impact was clear: members left with deeper self-awareness, renewed confidence, and practical strategies to turn challenges into opportunities.
5 Key Takeaways:
Sway Test – connect with your body’s natural intelligence
Your consciousness defines your experience – thoughts shape reality
Dismantle negative beliefs – release what holds you back
Turn obstacles into opportunities – reframe challenges as growth
Say what you want your reality to be—and believe it!
A huge thank you to Matthew Alexander Wood for leading such an inspiring session and sharing these powerful tools with us.
- The Skills Detector - The Inside Track!
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Date Posted: Wed, 18 Jun 2025
The session by Matthew Sheerin, The Skills Detector, delivered some great takeaways for the supremely skilled, ready-to-work members of M3 Job Club :
1. Adopt a Growth Mindset
Believe in your ability to learn and evolve. Every challenge is a chance to grow stronger, smarter, and more capable.
2. Practice Relentlessly & Self-Coach
Mastery comes from consistent effort. Reflect, refine, and push yourself to improve every day—you're your best coach!
3. Unlock Your Potential with The Skills Detector: CALLS
Explore your Career, Attitude, Likes, Loves, and Self to uncover hidden strengths and passions that fuel your success.
4. Bridge the Gap: Analyse Job Skills vs. Your Skills
Be strategic—compare your current skills with those in your dream roles. Spot the gaps, then go fill them!
5. Know Your Value—and Your Values
Understand what you bring to the table and what truly matters to you. Confidence and clarity are your superpowers.
