We Got Let Go, and We Accept It – Learn How to Secure a New Job That Fits You Personally
The start of a new year is frequently a time for reflection, and for many, that involves thinking about our career trajectories.
Two editors who left their jobs after corporate restructures at first believed it was catastrophic.
"I dedicated everything into the position... I had faith in the values we promoted. However, regarding my situation, that ethos didn't apply," she says.
The two chose to employ the word "fired" and suggest that being honest about the situation can aid you deal with it.
"We use so many euphemisms for being dismissed. However, the quicker you accept it, the quicker you're honest about it, the sooner you can progress.
"That's the fast track to whatever you wish to pursue next," she continues.
Now, they are excelling in new ventures, with one owning her own media company and the other serving as lead editor for a high-end journal.
If you've been laid off or are simply looking for a new career, these are four strategies for guidance.
1. Contemplate The Previous Year
It's common to feel some unease about work post-festive period.
A careers coach emphasizes the importance of introspection before embarking on a fresh job hunt.
She encourages individuals to think about what they want to do more of, what to decrease, and what energizes or exhausts their drive.
Looking back at your achievements to find recurring patterns is also beneficial. "Avoid focusing solely on the most recent period, because we all suffer from for recent-event bias that can obstruct the process," she adds.
She also states it is crucial to establish the role of work fits in your life.
This requires being candid regarding the hours you're working and the influence on your family and social life.
Following her job loss, she recommends against letting your life be defined by your work.
2. Implement Incremental Actions
She says people can take incremental moves towards changing careers without a complete leap.
She required a long period to make the jump from a traditional job to operating a company completely, building her idea while still employed, which enabled she could pay herself.
"It required a bit longer, but that represented the method I used in a sustainable way," she comments.
She advocates for an experimental method.
This can include pro bono work, participating in an initiative that interests you, or accepting a new challenge within your current team.
"The worst outcome, you find out that area isn't for you, but it's preferable to find out now than after you've switched careers," she states.
Additionally, she suggests looking into short-term "bridging roles". They are perhaps not the perfect role, yet they function as progress forward, like a job that shares traits to your target field, yet not in the same area.
"It involves allowing yourself the space to say this works for now, however, that is not the same as forever.
"That can be an intelligent strategy for moving closer to your career change."
3. Recall Your Achievements
If you've recently lost your job, you aren't alone – redundancy rates have increased significantly lately.
One professional held a senior role at a style magazine, but in 2022 her entire team were laid off following a decision to closed the print version.
Recognizing that this situation was not indicative of her skills assisted her process the change.
"The skills you've gained remains with you just because you lost your job.
"Don't give up your self-worth, it's important for everyone to remember their own worth."
Another professional was let go after a decade with a finance publication due to leadership changes in senior ranks and the appointment of a new editor.
She stresses that much of the stigma of job loss is in your head.
"With many professionals losing jobs, it's not personal. Chances are very much not you, so don't carry that feeling unnecessarily."
4. Build a Job Search List
If you're urgently looking for a new job or feel deeply dissatisfied in your current role, it can be tempting to dive straight into applying for any job – disregarding personal fulfillment.
However, this represents a major error.
Rather, she recommends a method called "reviewing" – focusing your search to only position summaries that sound interesting.
She advises browsing job platforms and gathering several that you like.
"Look for {the words|the
