We Got Fired, and We're Owning It – Learn How to Find a New Job That Fits You Personally
A new year's onset is frequently a period for contemplation, and for many, that encompasses thinking about our career trajectories.
A pair of editors who left their roles due to organizational changes originally thought it was catastrophic.
"I invested everything into the position... I trusted in the values we championed. However, regarding my situation, those values weren't there," she remarks.
They both chose to use the term "fired" and believe that being transparent about what happened can aid you deal with the experience.
"We use countless alternative phrases for losing a job. Yet, the sooner you acknowledge it, the quicker you're truthful regarding it, the faster you can progress.
"It's the quickest route to whatever you want to do next," she continues.
Today, they are thriving in different roles, with one leading her own media company and the other serving as top editor for a high-end journal.
For those who have been made redundant or are simply considering a shift, these are four strategies to assist you.
1. Reflect On Last Year
It's natural to feel some unease regarding your job following time off.
A careers coach stresses the necessity of looking back prior to launching the search for a new role.
She suggests professionals to evaluate what they want to pursue more, what they want less of, and which factors inspires or drains their energy.
Examining your past successes to identify underlying threads is useful too. "Try to avoid focusing solely on the last month, as people often suffer from to focus on the recent that can hinder your judgment," she states.
Another professional notes it is crucial to determine where your work fits in your life.
This means being truthful regarding the hours you're working and the influence on your family life.
Following her job loss, she suggests not allowing yourself be shaped solely by your work.
2. Implement Incremental Actions
She notes that professionals can implement small steps for a career transition without committing fully.
Her own journey required a long period to make the jump from a traditional job to operating her own company full-time, working on her project while still employed, which allowed self-funding from the start.
"It required a bit longer, but that represented how I did it in a sustainable way," she explains.
She advocates for a "try before you buy" strategy.
This could be volunteer work, getting involved in an initiative you find appealing, or agreeing to a different task within your current team.
"The worst outcome, you learn that area isn't for you, however, it's wiser to know now than after you've switched careers," she adds.
Additionally, she suggests looking into interim roles. These may not be the ideal job, but they act as a step towards your goal, like a job that shares traits to the career you want, but in a different industry or sector.
"It involves granting yourself the leeway to say this is good for now, however, that is not the same as forever.
"That represents an intelligent strategy for getting closer to your desired transition."
3. Remember Your Accomplishments
For anyone who has recently lost your role, you are not the only one – redundancy rates have increased markedly lately.
A former editor was editor-in-chief at a style magazine, but in 2022 she and her team were laid off after the company ceased print operations.
Understanding that this situation was not a reflection of her skills assisted her process the change.
"Your experience doesn't go away just because you were let go.
"Do not surrender your power, it's vital for everyone to recall their own value."
Her colleague was let go following a long tenure in a business journal due to leadership changes at the top and the hiring of new leadership.
She notes that a lot of the stigma of dismissal is in your head.
"With many individuals facing redundancy, it's not personal. Chances are not your fault, so refrain from bearing that ball of shame forward."
4. Build a Job Search List
If you're desperately seeking employment or are utterly miserable at work, you might be tempted to jump at for any vacancy – overlooking personal fulfillment.
However, this represents a significant mistake.
Instead, she suggests a method called "scanning" – narrowing your search on position summaries that sound interesting.
She recommends exploring sites like LinkedIn and collecting a selection of that seem promising.
"Identify {the words|the
