We Were Let Go, and We're Owning It – This Is How to Find a New Role That Suits You Personally
The start of a new year can be a time for reflection, and for a lot of us, that encompasses evaluating our professional paths.
Two editors who were made redundant from their roles due to organizational changes at first believed it was a disaster.
"I dedicated my heart into the job... I had faith in the values we promoted. But in my case, that ethos were absent," she says.
Both individuals decided to say "let go" and argue that being transparent about what happened can help you process the event.
"We use numerous euphemisms for being dismissed. But the faster you acknowledge it, the faster you're candid regarding it, the faster you can advance.
"It's the quickest route to anything you wish to do next," she notes.
Now, they are thriving in new ventures, where one running a media business and another working as lead editor at a prestigious publication.
If you've lost your job or are just looking for a new career, here are four strategies to assist you.
1. Contemplate The Previous Year
It's natural to have a bit low concerning your career after a holiday break.
A careers coach emphasizes the importance of introspection before starting a fresh job hunt.
She suggests professionals to evaluate what they wish to do more of, what they want less of, and what motivates or depletes their energy.
Examining your achievements to identify underlying threads can also help. "Try not to just looking at the last month, since everyone suffer from for recency bias that can hinder clear thinking," she notes.
She also notes it is important to decide the role of work plays in your life.
This involves being candid about how much time you're working and its effect on your family life.
After being let go, she recommends preventing your life be dictated by your work.
2. Implement Incremental Actions
The advisor notes that professionals can make incremental moves for a career transition without diving in headfirst.
She herself required a long period to transition from a corporate role to running a company full-time, working on her idea concurrently with her role, which meant self-funding from the start.
"It needed a bit longer, but that was my approach in a sustainable way," she says.
She suggests a test-run approach.
This can include pro bono work, getting involved in a professional project you find appealing, or saying yes to something different at your present job.
"The worst outcome, you find out that area isn't for you, however, it's wiser to learn now than after you've committed fully," she adds.
Additionally, she suggests exploring temporary "stepping-stone" positions. These might not be the ideal job, yet they function as a move forward, for example a position with parallels to the career you want, but in a different industry or sector.
"It means giving yourself the space to acknowledge this is good for now, however, that is not the same as forever.
"That can be a clever approach for moving closer to that new career."
3. Acknowledge Your Achievements
Should you have recently lost your position, you aren't alone – layoff figures have increased significantly recently.
A former editor was editor-in-chief for a fashion publication, previously she and her team were laid off following a decision to ceased print operations.
Recognizing that this event did not reflect of her performance allowed her to handle the transition.
"The skills you've gained remains with you because you were dismissed.
"Don't give up your self-worth, it's vital for everyone to recall their intrinsic value."
The other editor was fired following a long tenure at a financial magazine due to leadership changes at the top and the appointment of a different editor.
She notes that much of the stigma of dismissal is in your head.
"Considering the vast numbers of professionals losing jobs, it's rarely personal. Chances are not about you, so avoid carrying that ball of shame around with you."
4. Create a Career Checklist
If you're desperately seeking work or are utterly miserable at work, the temptation is to jump at at any opportunity – disregarding personal fulfillment.
But this is a significant mistake.
Instead, she suggests a technique known as "browsing" – focusing your search on job descriptions that capture your interest.
She advises exploring professional networks and collecting around 10 to 15 that appeal to you.
"Identify {the words|the