We Were Dismissed, and We Accept It – Here's How to Find a New Job That Suits Your Needs
A new year's onset is frequently a period for contemplation, and for numerous people, that includes thinking about our work lives.
A pair of editors who were made redundant from their jobs after corporate restructures at first believed their world had ended.
"I poured everything into that role... I believed in the values we promoted. However, regarding my situation, those principles were absent," one of them states.
The two decided to employ the word "fired" and argue that being open about the situation can aid you deal with it.
"There are numerous alternative phrases for being dismissed. But the faster you accept it, the quicker you're candid about it, the quicker you can progress.
"That's the fast track to what you want to pursue next," she adds.
Currently, they are thriving in new ventures, with one leading a media business and the other holding the position of editor-in-chief for a high-end journal.
If you've lost your job or are just looking for a new career, consider these four strategies that can help.
1. Reflect On The Previous Year
It's natural to have a bit low concerning your career after a holiday break.
A professional advisor stresses the importance of reflection before embarking on the search for a new role.
She suggests people to consider what they wish to pursue more, what to reduce, and what energizes or exhausts them.
Examining your achievements to find recurring patterns is useful too. "Avoid focusing solely on the most recent period, because we all have a tendency for recency bias that can impede your judgment," she notes.
She also notes it is important to decide the role of work occupies in your life.
This involves being honest regarding the hours you devote to work and its impact on your personal and social life.
After her own experience, she suggests not allowing your life be shaped solely by your career.
2. Take Incremental Actions
The advisor notes that professionals can take small steps towards changing careers without diving in headfirst.
Her own journey required a long period to move from a traditional job to managing her own company completely, building her idea concurrently with her role, which meant financial stability.
"It required additional time, but that represented my approach sustainably," she says.
She advocates for a test-run method.
This could be volunteering, getting involved in a work project you find appealing, or saying yes to something different at your present job.
"Worst case scenario, you find out that area isn't for you, however, it's wiser to find out now instead of after you've committed fully," she adds.
She also encourages looking into interim roles. They are perhaps not the ideal job, but they serve as a move towards your goal, for example a position with parallels to your desired career, though not in the exact industry or sector.
"It's about allowing yourself the leeway to acknowledge this is suitable temporarily, but that does not mean the same as forever.
"That can be a clever strategy to get much closer to that new career."
3. Recall Your Successes
Should you have recently lost your role, you aren't alone – redundancy rates have risen to high levels recently.
A former editor was editor-in-chief for a fashion publication, previously she were laid off when the firm discontinued the physical magazine.
Recognizing that this was not a reflection of her skills helped her cope with the situation.
"Your experience doesn't go away because you were let go.
"Do not surrender your power, it's vital for all individuals to recall their intrinsic value."
Her colleague lost her job after ten years in a business journal after a change at the top and the hiring of a different editor.
She notes that so much of the embarrassment associated with being fired is in your head.
"Given that hundreds of thousands of professionals losing jobs, it's rarely personal. It's likely not your fault, so avoid carrying that ball of shame unnecessarily."
4. Create a Career Checklist
When you're urgently looking for work or are deeply dissatisfied at work, it can be tempting to dive straight into applying for any job – disregarding what suits you.
Yet, this can be a big misstep.
Rather, she recommends an exercise called "scanning" – narrowing your search to only job descriptions that sound interesting.
She suggests searching sites like LinkedIn and gathering a selection of that you like.
"Identify {the words|the
