We Were Fired, and We Accept It – Here's How to Find a New Job That Works You Personally
A new year's onset is often a moment for introspection, and for a lot of us, that involves considering our work lives.
Two publishing professionals who lost their positions after corporate restructures at first believed it was a disaster.
"I invested everything into that role... I trusted in the values we stood for. However, regarding my situation, that ethos didn't apply," she says.
Both individuals opted to use the term "let go" and believe that being transparent about it can assist you handle the experience.
"We use countless soft terms for being dismissed. But the faster you acknowledge it, the faster you're truthful about it, the faster you can advance.
"That is the direct path to anything you want to pursue next," she adds.
Now, they are succeeding in new positions, with one running her own media company and the other serving as lead editor for a high-end journal.
Whether you've lost your job or are just considering a shift, here are four approaches for guidance.
1. Reflect On Last Year
It's typical to feel some apprehension about work post-festive period.
A career expert emphasizes the value of reflection before starting a fresh job hunt.
She suggests individuals to think about what they want to increase, what to decrease, and what energizes or exhausts their energy.
Looking back at your achievements to identify underlying threads is useful too. "Avoid focusing solely on the most recent period, since everyone have a tendency for recent-event bias that can obstruct your judgment," she states.
A former editor states it is important to decide the role of work plays in your life.
This means being candid about the amount of time you're working and its effect on your personal and family life.
Following her job loss, she recommends against letting your life be dictated by your work.
2. Implement Gradual Moves
The advisor notes that professionals can take small steps for a career transition without a complete leap.
She herself took several years to move from a traditional job to operating her own company completely, working on her idea while still employed, which enabled self-funding from the start.
"It needed additional time, but that represented how I did it sustainably," she says.
She recommends a "try before you buy" approach.
This might involve volunteer work, participating in an initiative that interests you, or agreeing to a different task at your present job.
"Worst case scenario, you find out it's not a fit, but it's better to find out now than after you've made the move," she states.
She also advises considering interim roles. These may not be the perfect role, but they serve as progress forward, like a job with parallels to the career you want, yet not in the same industry or sector.
"It involves giving yourself the space to accept this works for now, but that isn't the same as forever.
"That can be a clever strategy for moving closer to your career change."
3. Acknowledge Your Achievements
For anyone who has recently been made redundant from your position, many are in the same boat – redundancy rates have increased markedly in recent times.
She was the top editor for a fashion publication, previously she lost their jobs after the company closed the print version.
Recognizing that this did not reflect of her ability assisted her process the change.
"The skills you've gained doesn't disappear simply due to lost your job.
"Don't give up your confidence, it's important for all individuals to remember their own value."
Another professional lost her job following a long tenure with a finance publication after a change at the top and the hiring of a different editor.
She emphasizes that much of the embarrassment of dismissal is self-imposed.
"With many individuals facing redundancy, it's usually not about you. It's probably not your fault, so don't carry that feeling forward."
4. Create a Career Checklist
For those who are urgently looking for employment or are utterly miserable in your current role, you might be tempted to apply hastily for any vacancy – ignoring your own happiness.
However, this represents a major error.
Instead, she suggests a technique known as "scanning" – filtering opportunities down to role profiles that sound interesting.
She suggests browsing sites like LinkedIn and saving around 10 to 15 that you like.
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