We Were Fired, and We're Embracing It – This Is How to Secure a New Role That Suits for You
The start of a new year can be a time for reflection, and for a lot of us, that includes thinking about our career trajectories.
A pair of editors who left their jobs due to organizational changes at first believed it was catastrophic.
"I dedicated all my energy into the position... I believed in the ethos we promoted. However, regarding my situation, those principles didn't apply," one of them says.
The two opted to say "dismissed" and suggest that being transparent about it can help you process it.
"People rely on numerous alternative phrases for job loss. But the faster you own it, the sooner you're truthful regarding it, the sooner you can progress.
"That's the quickest route to whatever you want to do next," she continues.
Now, they are excelling in new ventures, where one running a media business and another holding the position of lead editor at a prestigious publication.
If you've been laid off or are simply looking for a new career, these are four strategies that can help.
1. Reflect On The Past Year
It's common to experience some unease about work following time off.
A professional advisor stresses the necessity of introspection before starting the search for a new role.
She encourages people to consider what they desire to increase, what to reduce, and the things that energizes or exhausts them.
Looking back at your past successes to identify underlying threads is also beneficial. "Try to avoid focusing solely on the most recent period, since everyone exhibit to focus on the recent that can hinder your judgment," she states.
Another professional notes it is vital to decide what place your job fits in your life.
This requires being honest about how much time you're working and its impact on your personal and family life.
After her own experience, she recommends against letting your identity be dictated by your job.
2. Make Incremental Actions
The advisor says people can make small steps towards a career shift without a complete leap.
Her own journey required a long period to transition from a corporate role to operating her own business entirely, building her project alongside her job, which allowed she could pay herself.
"It required additional time, but that was the method I used sustainably," she comments.
She suggests an experimental approach.
This might involve volunteering, getting involved in an initiative that interests you, or saying yes to a different task in your existing role.
"If it fails, you learn you don't like, however, it's wiser to know now than after you've switched careers," she states.
She also advises considering temporary "stepping-stone" positions. These may not be the ideal job, but they act as progress in the right direction, such as a role that shares traits to the career you want, yet not in the same field.
"It involves giving yourself the permission to accept this is suitable temporarily, but that isn't the same as forever.
"That represents a very smart approach to get nearer to that new career."
3. Recall Your Accomplishments
Should you have recently been made redundant from your job, many are in the same boat – job cuts have surged markedly recently.
One professional was the top editor at a style magazine, but a few years ago she and her team lost their jobs following a decision to discontinued the physical magazine.
Recognizing that this event was not a reflection of her skills allowed her to cope with the situation.
"What you've learned remains with you simply due to lost your job.
"Don't relinquish your power, it's vital for everybody to recall their own value."
The other editor lost her job after ten years in a business journal after a change at the top and the appointment of new leadership.
She emphasizes that much of the stigma of job loss is internal.
"With many people being laid off, it's rarely personal. It's likely very much not you, so avoid carrying that ball of shame around with you."
4. Create a Career Checklist
When you're actively hunting for employment or are utterly miserable with your present job, the temptation is to dive straight into applying for any vacancy – ignoring your own happiness.
However, this represents a big misstep.
Alternatively, she proposes an exercise called "browsing" – narrowing your search down to role profiles that sound interesting.
She suggests exploring professional networks and gathering around 10 to 15 that appeal to you.
"Look for {the words|the
