We Were Fired, and We're Embracing It – Here's How to Find a New Job That Works You Personally
The beginning of a new year is frequently a period for contemplation, and for numerous people, that includes thinking about our professional paths.
A pair of editors who were made redundant from their positions due to organizational changes originally thought it was catastrophic.
"I invested my heart into the position... I trusted in the ethos we promoted. However, regarding my situation, those principles didn't apply," a former editor states.
They both decided to use the term "fired" and argue that being honest about what happened can help you handle it.
"We use so many soft terms for job loss. However, the quicker you accept it, the sooner you're truthful regarding it, the sooner you can advance.
"That's the direct path to whatever you desire to do next," she continues.
Today, they are succeeding in new positions, with one leading a media business and another serving as editor-in-chief at a prestigious publication.
If you've lost your job or are simply looking for a new career, here are four approaches that can help.
1. Reflect On Last Year
It's natural to feel some unease regarding your job post-festive period.
A professional advisor stresses the importance of looking back prior to launching a fresh job hunt.
She advises individuals to think about what they want to do more of, what to decrease, and what energizes or exhausts their drive.
Examining your achievements to find recurring patterns is also beneficial. "Avoid just looking at the last month, since everyone exhibit for recency bias that can hinder your judgment," she states.
Another professional notes it is vital to decide where your work occupies in your life.
This involves being honest about the amount of time you devote to work and the influence on your family and family life.
Following her job loss, she suggests against letting your identity be defined by your job.
2. Make Small Steps
She states that individuals can make incremental moves towards a career shift without a complete leap.
She herself took several years to make the jump from a corporate role to operating a company entirely, building her project alongside her job, which enabled self-funding from the start.
"It needed more time, but that represented my approach without risk," she explains.
She recommends a test-run strategy.
This might involve pro bono work, joining a professional project you find appealing, or saying yes to a different task within your current team.
"Worst case scenario, you discover you don't like, however, it's wiser to learn now instead of after you've committed fully," she remarks.
She also encourages exploring short-term "bridging roles". They are perhaps not the dream position, but they serve as a move forward, for example a position with parallels to the career you want, yet not in the same industry or sector.
"It's about granting yourself the space to accept this works for now, but that does not mean for all time.
"That can be an intelligent tactic for getting much closer to a desired transition."
3. Remember Your Achievements
Should you have recently lost your position, you are not the only one – job cuts have risen significantly lately.
A former editor was the top editor at a style magazine, but in 2022 she and her team lost their jobs following a decision to ceased print operations.
Recognizing that this event was not a reflection of her skills assisted her cope with the situation.
"The skills you've gained remains with you because you were dismissed.
"Don't relinquish your confidence, it's vital for all individuals to recognize their own worth."
Another professional lost her job after a decade in a business journal after a change at the top and the appointment of a new editor.
She emphasizes that so much of the stigma associated with being fired is self-imposed.
"With many professionals losing jobs, it's rarely personal. It's likely not about you, so avoid carrying that feeling around with you."
4. Build a Professional Checklist
If you're actively hunting for employment or are profoundly unhappy in your current role, the temptation is to jump at at any opportunity – ignoring your own happiness.
Yet, this can be a big misstep.
Instead, she suggests a technique known as "browsing" – focusing your search down to position summaries that sound interesting.
She recommends exploring professional networks and gathering several that seem promising.
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