We Were Fired, and We're Owning It – This Is How to Land a New Job That Suits Your Needs
The beginning of a new year is frequently a time for reflection, and for many, that includes evaluating our work lives.
A pair of editors who lost their positions after corporate restructures initially felt their world had ended.
"I dedicated my heart into that role... I believed in the principles we stood for. However, regarding my situation, those values were absent," she remarks.
Both individuals chose to say "dismissed" and believe that being open about it can help you handle the experience.
"We use numerous alternative phrases for losing a job. Yet, the sooner you own it, the sooner you're honest about it, the sooner you can progress.
"It's the fast track to what you wish next," she continues.
Today, they are succeeding in different roles, with one leading her own firm and another holding the position of editor-in-chief at a prestigious publication.
For those who have been made redundant or are considering a shift, consider these four methods for guidance.
1. Contemplate Last Year
It's typical to experience some unease regarding your job post-festive period.
A professional advisor stresses the importance of introspection before starting a new job search.
She advises people to consider what they wish to do more of, what they want less of, and the things that motivates or depletes their drive.
Examining your accomplishments to find common themes is useful too. "Try not to focusing solely on the recent past, as people often suffer from for recency bias that can obstruct clear thinking," she adds.
She also notes it is crucial to decide where your work plays in your life.
This means being candid about how much time you spend working and its effect on your social life.
After being let go, she suggests not allowing your life be dictated by your work.
2. Implement Small Steps
The expert notes that professionals can take small steps towards changing careers without diving in headfirst.
She herself took seven years to transition from a corporate role to managing her own company completely, building her idea alongside her job, which allowed self-funding from the start.
"It required more time, but that represented the method I used sustainably," she explains.
She suggests a "try before you buy" strategy.
This can include volunteering, joining a professional project that interests you, or accepting something different within your current team.
"Worst case scenario, you discover that area isn't for you, however, it's wiser to know now than after you've made the move," she remarks.
She also encourages exploring interim roles. These might not be the ideal job, but they act as progress in the right direction, such as a role with parallels to the career you want, but in a different industry or sector.
"It involves granting yourself the permission to acknowledge this is good for now, but that isn't for all time.
"This is a clever tactic to get closer to that desired transition."
3. Recall Your Successes
For anyone who has recently lost your job, you are not the only one – redundancy rates have risen significantly in recent times.
A former editor was the top editor in a magazine, previously her entire team were laid off after the company closed the print version.
Recognizing that this situation was not a reflection of her performance helped her handle the transition.
"The skills you've gained doesn't disappear just because you lost your job.
"Do not surrender your power, it's crucial for everyone to recall their intrinsic value."
Another professional was fired following a long tenure in a business journal following a regime change in management and the hiring of a new editor.
She stresses that a lot of the shame of job loss is self-imposed.
"Considering the vast numbers of individuals facing redundancy, it's not personal. It's likely very much not you, so refrain from bearing that burden of shame around with you."
4. Create a Professional Checklist
If you're desperately seeking employment or are utterly miserable at work, the temptation is to dive straight into applying at any opportunity – disregarding personal fulfillment.
But this is a big misstep.
Rather, she recommends a method called "scanning" – focusing your search down to job descriptions that capture your interest.
She suggests exploring sites like LinkedIn and gathering a selection of that you like.
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