We Were Dismissed, and We're Embracing It – This Is How to Land a New Role That Suits You Personally
A new year's onset can be a time for reflection, and for numerous people, that involves evaluating our career trajectories.
Two publishing professionals who left their positions after corporate restructures originally thought their world had ended.
"I invested everything into the position... I had faith in the principles we stood for. Yet, when it came to me, those principles weren't there," she remarks.
Both individuals opted to use the term "fired" and believe that being honest about the situation can aid you process the event.
"People rely on numerous alternative phrases for job loss. But the faster you accept it, the sooner you're honest about it, the quicker you can move on.
"It's the fast track to anything you wish to pursue next," she notes.
Now, they are succeeding in different roles, where one running her own firm and another serving as top editor for a high-end journal.
If you've been laid off or are simply considering a shift, consider these four methods to assist you.
1. Reflect On The Past Year
It's natural to feel some apprehension regarding your job following time off.
A career expert highlights the value of introspection before starting a new job search.
She encourages individuals to think about what they desire to increase, what they want less of, and what inspires or drains them.
Examining your achievements to find recurring patterns is also beneficial. "Avoid considering only the recent past, as people often have a tendency for recency bias that can obstruct the process," she adds.
A former editor states it is important to decide what place your job plays in your life.
This requires being honest about the amount of time you're working and the influence on your personal and social life.
After her own experience, she advises not allowing your life be defined by your work.
2. Make Small Steps
The advisor notes that professionals can implement incremental moves towards a career shift without committing fully.
She took seven years to move from a corporate role to operating her own business entirely, building the venture while still employed, which meant financial stability.
"It took more time, however, that was how I did it without risk," she comments.
She advocates for a "try before you buy" strategy.
This could be volunteering, getting involved in an initiative that captures your interest, or saying yes to something different at your present job.
"The worst outcome, you discover you don't like, however, it's wiser to learn now instead of after you've made the move," she adds.
She also advises considering interim roles. These may not be the ideal job, but they act as a move in the right direction, like a job that shares traits to your target field, but in a different area.
"It means giving yourself the leeway to acknowledge this is suitable temporarily, but that isn't the same as forever.
"That represents a very smart approach for getting closer to that desired transition."
3. Remember Your Accomplishments
If you've recently been made redundant from your position, you aren't alone – job cuts have increased to high levels lately.
One professional was editor-in-chief for a fashion publication, but in 2022 her entire team were laid off when the firm closed the print version.
Recognizing that this event did not reflect of her performance helped her handle the transition.
"What you've learned doesn't go away because you lost your job.
"Don't give up your self-worth, it's vital for all individuals to recognize their own worth."
Her colleague lost her job following a long tenure at a financial magazine after a change in senior ranks and the arrival of a new editor.
She emphasizes that so much of the embarrassment associated with being fired is in your head.
"Considering the vast numbers of professionals losing jobs, it's usually not about you. Chances are very much not you, so avoid carrying that burden of shame around with you."
4. Build a Professional Checklist
For those who are urgently looking for work or are utterly miserable in your current role, it can be tempting to apply hastily for any vacancy – disregarding what suits you.
However, this represents a big misstep.
Rather, she recommends a method called "browsing" – filtering opportunities to only role profiles that sound interesting.
She recommends exploring sites like LinkedIn and saving a selection of that you like.
"Look for {the words|the
