We Were Fired, and We're Owning It – Here's How to Secure a Fresh Position That Suits Your Needs
The start of a new year can be a period for contemplation, and for a lot of us, that involves considering our career trajectories.
Two editors who lost their roles following company reorganizations initially felt it was catastrophic.
"I dedicated my heart into the position... I had faith in the values we stood for. However, regarding my situation, those values were absent," she states.
They both decided to use the term "dismissed" and suggest that being honest about it can aid you deal with the experience.
"We use countless euphemisms for being dismissed. But the faster you accept it, the faster you're truthful about it, the quicker you can advance.
"That's the direct path to whatever you desire to do next," she continues.
Today, they are thriving in different roles, where one owning a media business and another working as top editor for a high-end journal.
If you've been laid off or are simply contemplating a change, these are four methods for guidance.
1. Contemplate Last Year
It's typical to experience a bit low concerning your career after a holiday break.
A careers coach emphasizes the value of introspection before embarking on a fresh job hunt.
She suggests people to consider what they wish to pursue more, what to decrease, and the things that energizes or exhausts their energy.
Reviewing your past successes to spot recurring patterns is also beneficial. "Try to avoid considering only the recent past, as people often exhibit to focus on the recent that can obstruct your judgment," she states.
She also notes it is important to decide what place your job fits in your life.
This involves being truthful regarding the hours you devote to work and its effect on your social life.
After being let go, she recommends against letting your life be shaped solely by your job.
2. Take Incremental Actions
The advisor states that individuals can take small steps towards a career shift without diving in headfirst.
She required a long period to transition from a corporate role to operating a company entirely, working on her project alongside her job, which enabled financial stability.
"It took additional time, however, that was my approach without risk," she says.
She recommends a "try before you buy" approach.
This might involve volunteering, getting involved in an initiative that captures your interest, or agreeing to a new challenge within your current team.
"If it fails, you learn it's not a fit, however, it's wiser to know now than after you've made the move," she states.
Additionally, she suggests exploring short-term "bridging roles". These may not be the perfect role, but they act as a move in the right direction, for example a position that shares traits to the career you want, though not in the exact industry or sector.
"It's about allowing yourself the space to say this works for now, however, that is not permanent.
"That represents a very smart strategy to get nearer to your career change."
3. Recall Your Successes
Should you have just left your position, you aren't alone – job cuts have risen significantly in recent times.
She held a senior role in a magazine, previously she and her team were made redundant after the company closed the print version.
Realizing that this situation was not indicative of her skills assisted her handle the transition.
"Your experience remains with you just because you were let go.
"Don't relinquish your self-worth, it's crucial for everybody to recall their intrinsic value."
Another professional lost her job after ten years in a business journal due to leadership changes at the top and the hiring of new leadership.
She notes that a lot of the shame of dismissal is self-imposed.
"Given that hundreds of thousands of professionals losing jobs, it's rarely personal. It's probably not your fault, so refrain from bearing that ball of shame unnecessarily."
4. Develop a Career Checklist
If you're urgently looking for a new job or feel utterly miserable in your current role, you might be tempted to apply hastily at any opportunity – ignoring personal fulfillment.
But this is a major error.
Rather, she recommends a method called "reviewing" – filtering opportunities to only position summaries that sound interesting.
She advises exploring sites like LinkedIn and collecting a selection of that you like.
"Look for {the words|the
