We Got Dismissed, and We're Owning It – Here's How to Land a New Job That Works You Personally
The beginning of a new year can be a period for contemplation, and for numerous people, that encompasses thinking about our professional paths.
A pair of editors who lost their roles due to organizational changes at first believed their world had ended.
"I dedicated everything into the position... I had faith in the values we championed. However, regarding my situation, those principles weren't there," one of them states.
Both individuals opted to employ the word "let go" and argue that being transparent about the situation can help you deal with the experience.
"People rely on numerous alternative phrases for losing a job. However, the quicker you own it, the sooner you're truthful regarding it, the faster you can move on.
"It's the quickest route to whatever you wish to pursue next," she adds.
Now, they are succeeding in new positions, with one running a media business and another serving as editor-in-chief at a prestigious publication.
If you've been made redundant or are contemplating a change, here are four approaches for guidance.
1. Consider Last Year
It's typical to feel some apprehension concerning your career post-festive period.
A professional advisor stresses the value of looking back prior to launching the search for a new role.
She encourages professionals to evaluate what they desire to do more of, what to decrease, and the things that motivates or depletes their energy.
Looking back at your past successes to spot underlying threads can also help. "Try to avoid focusing solely on the last month, because we all exhibit for recency bias that can hinder your judgment," she states.
Another professional states it is crucial to decide the role of work fits in your life.
This means being candid about how much time you're working and its impact on your personal and family life.
After her own experience, she advises against letting your life be dictated by your work.
2. Make Small Steps
The expert says people can implement gradual progress for a career transition without diving in headfirst.
Her own journey took seven years to move from a corporate role to running a company full-time, working on her idea concurrently with her role, which meant financial stability.
"It required a bit longer, however, that was the method I used in a sustainable way," she comments.
She recommends a test-run strategy.
This could be pro bono work, getting involved in an initiative that interests you, or saying yes to a new challenge within your current team.
"The worst outcome, you discover you don't like, but it's preferable to know now instead of after you've switched careers," she states.
She also advises exploring short-term "bridging roles". They are perhaps not the dream position, but they serve as a move towards your goal, like a job with similarities to your desired career, though not in the exact field.
"It's about granting yourself the permission to say this works for now, but that isn't for all time.
"This is an intelligent strategy for getting nearer to that new career."
3. Acknowledge Your Accomplishments
If you've just left your position, you are not the only one – job cuts have increased markedly recently.
One professional was editor-in-chief for a fashion publication, but in 2022 she and her team were laid off after the company discontinued the physical magazine.
Realizing that this event was not a reflection of her performance assisted her cope with the situation.
"Your experience remains with you because you were let go.
"Do not surrender your power, it's vital for everybody to recall their intrinsic value."
The other editor lost her job after a decade with a finance publication after a change in management and the arrival of a different editor.
She stresses that so much of the stigma of job loss is self-imposed.
"With many professionals losing jobs, it's not personal. It's probably not your fault, so don't carry that ball of shame around with you."
4. Build a Career Checklist
If you're desperately seeking employment or are deeply dissatisfied at work, it can be tempting to dive straight into applying at any opportunity – disregarding your own happiness.
However, this represents a significant mistake.
Alternatively, she proposes an exercise called "scanning" – narrowing your search on role profiles that seem appealing.
She recommends searching professional networks and collecting several that appeal to you.
"What are {the words|the
