We Were Fired, and We Accept It – Learn How to Land a New Role That Works for You
The start of a new year can be a time for reflection, and for a lot of us, that includes evaluating our professional paths.
Two publishing professionals who were made redundant from their positions after corporate restructures originally thought it was catastrophic.
"I dedicated all my energy into the position... I trusted in the ethos we stood for. But in my case, that ethos were absent," she states.
The two opted to employ the word "fired" and argue that being open about what happened can assist you process the event.
"People rely on countless soft terms for job loss. Yet, the sooner you acknowledge it, the sooner you're truthful regarding it, the faster you can advance.
"It's the direct path to anything you desire to pursue next," she notes.
Today, they are excelling in new ventures, where one leading her own firm and the other serving as editor-in-chief at a prestigious publication.
For those who have lost your job or are simply contemplating a change, consider these four strategies to assist you.
1. Contemplate Last Year
It's common to feel some apprehension regarding your job after a holiday break.
A professional advisor highlights the necessity of looking back prior to launching a fresh job hunt.
She advises individuals to think about what they wish to pursue more, what to reduce, and what motivates or depletes their drive.
Examining your achievements to spot underlying threads is also beneficial. "Avoid just looking at the most recent period, since everyone have a tendency for recent-event bias that can obstruct clear thinking," she adds.
Another professional notes it is crucial to establish what place your job occupies in your life.
This means being honest about how much time you devote to work and its effect on your family life.
After being let go, she recommends against letting yourself be defined by your career.
2. Implement Gradual Moves
The advisor states that individuals can make small steps towards a career shift without a complete leap.
Her own journey took several years to make the jump from a traditional job to operating a company full-time, working on her idea while still employed, which enabled she could pay herself.
"It required more time, but that was the method I used sustainably," she says.
She advocates for a "try before you buy" method.
This might involve pro bono work, joining a work project you find appealing, or agreeing to a new challenge at your present job.
"If it fails, you find out you don't like, but it's preferable to find out now than after you've made the move," she adds.
Additionally, she suggests considering interim roles. They are perhaps not the ideal job, but they act as a step towards your goal, like a job that shares traits to the career you want, yet not in the same field.
"It's about allowing yourself the leeway to acknowledge this is suitable temporarily, however, that is not for all time.
"This is a clever tactic for moving closer to that desired transition."
3. Recall Your Accomplishments
Should you have recently lost your job, you are not the only one – job cuts have risen to high levels recently.
One professional was editor-in-chief at a style magazine, but in 2022 she were made redundant following a decision to discontinued the physical magazine.
Realizing that this situation was not a reflection of her ability assisted her process the change.
"The skills you've gained doesn't disappear because you were let go.
"Don't relinquish your power, it's crucial for everybody to recognize their intrinsic value."
Her colleague was fired after ten years in a business journal following a regime change in management and the hiring of a different editor.
She notes that so much of the embarrassment of dismissal is internal.
"With many people being laid off, it's rarely personal. Chances are not your fault, so don't carry that ball of shame around with you."
4. Build a Professional Checklist
If you're actively hunting for a new job or feel deeply dissatisfied with your present job, it can be tempting to dive straight into applying at any opportunity – ignoring what suits you.
Yet, this can be a big misstep.
Alternatively, she proposes an exercise called "browsing" – narrowing your search to only role profiles that sound interesting.
She recommends exploring job platforms and gathering several that seem promising.
"Look for {the words|the
