We Were Fired, and We're Embracing It – Learn How to Land a New Role That Works Your Needs
A new year's onset can be a moment for introspection, and for a lot of us, that involves evaluating our professional paths.
Two publishing professionals who were made redundant from their positions after corporate restructures initially felt it was catastrophic.
"I poured everything into the job... I trusted in the principles we championed. But in my case, that ethos were absent," one of them remarks.
The two chose to use the term "fired" and suggest that being honest about what happened can assist you process the event.
"We use numerous soft terms for job loss. Yet, the sooner you accept it, the faster you're honest regarding it, the sooner you can move on.
"It's the direct path to whatever you desire to pursue next," she continues.
Currently, they are succeeding in new positions, where one running her own media company and the other working as lead editor at a prestigious publication.
Whether you've been laid off or are considering a shift, here are four strategies that can help.
1. Reflect On Last Year
It's typical to have a bit low concerning your career following time off.
A career expert stresses the importance of reflection prior to launching a new job search.
She suggests people to consider what they wish to pursue more, what to decrease, and which factors energizes or exhausts their drive.
Looking back at your past successes to find underlying threads is useful too. "Try not to considering only the most recent period, as people often have a tendency for recency bias that can impede clear thinking," she states.
She also says it is vital to determine where your work plays in your life.
This requires being candid regarding the hours you're working and its impact on your social and family life.
After her own experience, she recommends against letting your life be defined by your work.
2. Implement Gradual Moves
The advisor says people can make small steps for a career transition without a complete leap.
She took several years to make the jump from her corporate career to running her own business full-time, developing the venture while still employed, which enabled financial stability.
"It required a bit longer, but that represented the method I used without risk," she comments.
She suggests an experimental approach.
This might involve volunteer work, joining a work project that captures your interest, or saying yes to a new challenge in your existing role.
"The worst outcome, you discover you don't like, but it's preferable to know now instead of after you've committed fully," she adds.
Additionally, she suggests exploring interim roles. These may not be the perfect role, yet they function as a step in the right direction, such as a role that shares traits to the career you want, but in a different industry or sector.
"It means allowing yourself the space to accept this is good for now, but that does not mean the same as forever.
"That can be a very smart approach for moving closer to your career change."
3. Acknowledge Your Successes
For anyone who has recently lost your position, you are not the only one – job cuts have risen markedly in recent times.
One professional was editor-in-chief at a style magazine, but in 2022 her entire team lost their jobs following a decision to closed the print version.
Recognizing that this event was not a reflection of her skills allowed her to cope with the situation.
"Your experience doesn't go away just because you were dismissed.
"Don't relinquish your confidence, it's vital for everyone to recognize their own worth."
The other editor lost her job following a long tenure in a business journal following a regime change at the top and the hiring of a new editor.
She stresses that much of the embarrassment of job loss is self-imposed.
"Considering the vast numbers of people being laid off, it's not personal. Chances are not your fault, so refrain from bearing that feeling around with you."
4. Create a Career Checklist
For those who are desperately seeking a new job or feel profoundly unhappy with your present job, you might be tempted to dive straight into applying at any opportunity – ignoring your own happiness.
Yet, this can be a big misstep.
Alternatively, she proposes a technique known as "scanning" – narrowing your search to only role profiles that capture your interest.
She advises exploring professional networks and gathering around 10 to 15 that seem promising.
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