We Were Let Go, and We're Owning It – This Is How to Land a New Role That Works for You
A new year's onset can be a time for reflection, and for a lot of us, that encompasses thinking about our career trajectories.
Two publishing professionals who lost their jobs after corporate restructures at first believed it was catastrophic.
"I invested everything into that role... I had faith in the values we stood for. But in my case, that ethos were absent," one of them remarks.
They both chose to employ the word "fired" and argue that being transparent about the situation can assist you deal with the experience.
"We use countless euphemisms for losing a job. However, the quicker you acknowledge it, the faster you're candid regarding it, the quicker you can progress.
"It's the fast track to anything you wish to do next," she continues.
Now, they are excelling in different roles, where one owning her own firm and another holding the position of lead editor for a high-end journal.
If you've been made redundant or are just considering a shift, consider these four approaches for guidance.
1. Contemplate The Previous Year
It's common to have some unease about work following time off.
A professional advisor highlights the value of reflection prior to launching a fresh job hunt.
She suggests professionals to evaluate what they want to do more of, what to decrease, and the things that inspires or drains them.
Looking back at your accomplishments to spot recurring patterns is also beneficial. "Try not to focusing solely on the recent past, because we all have a tendency for recent-event bias that can impede the process," she states.
A former editor notes it is crucial to establish what place your job occupies in your life.
This involves being truthful about the amount of time you spend working and its effect on your personal and family life.
After her own experience, she recommends not allowing your identity be dictated by your career.
2. Implement Small Steps
She says people can make gradual progress for a career transition without a complete leap.
She took seven years to transition from a traditional job to running her own company completely, working on her project concurrently with her role, which allowed she could pay herself.
"It took additional time, but that was the method I used sustainably," she explains.
She suggests a test-run approach.
This might involve pro bono work, participating in a work project you find appealing, or agreeing to a new challenge in your existing role.
"Worst case scenario, you learn it's not a fit, however, it's wiser to find out now rather than after you've switched careers," she states.
She also advises exploring interim roles. These might not be the dream position, but they act as progress towards your goal, for example a position that shares traits to your target field, yet not in the same area.
"It's about giving yourself the space to say this works for now, but that isn't the same as forever.
"That represents an intelligent approach for getting closer to your desired transition."
3. Remember Your Accomplishments
Should you have recently been made redundant from your role, you aren't alone – redundancy rates have surged significantly lately.
One professional was editor-in-chief at a style magazine, but a few years ago she and her team lost their jobs when the firm ceased print operations.
Realizing that this event did not reflect of her skills helped her handle the transition.
"Your experience doesn't go away because you were let go.
"Don't relinquish your self-worth, it's crucial for all individuals to remember their own value."
Her colleague was fired following a long tenure with a finance publication following a regime change at the top and the arrival of a new editor.
She stresses that much of the stigma of job loss is in your head.
"Considering the vast numbers of individuals facing redundancy, it's not personal. Chances are very much not you, so avoid carrying that ball of shame forward."
4. Develop a Job Search List
When you're actively hunting for work or are deeply dissatisfied with your present job, you might be tempted to jump at at any opportunity – ignoring your own happiness.
Yet, this can be a major error.
Rather, she recommends a method called "scanning" – narrowing your search down to job descriptions that seem appealing.
She advises exploring sites like LinkedIn and collecting a selection of that appeal to you.
"Identify {the words|the
