We Got Let Go, and We're Owning It – Here's How to Secure a New Role That Fits You Personally
The start of a new year can be a time for reflection, and for many, that involves considering our work lives.
A pair of editors who left their positions due to organizational changes initially felt it was catastrophic.
"I poured everything into the job... I trusted in the ethos we promoted. However, regarding my situation, that ethos didn't apply," a former editor says.
The two chose to employ the word "dismissed" and believe that being open about the situation can assist you process the experience.
"People rely on countless soft terms for losing a job. However, the quicker you acknowledge it, the quicker you're honest regarding it, the faster you can progress.
"That's the fast track to what you desire to pursue next," she notes.
Now, they are succeeding in different roles, with one leading her own firm and the other holding the position of top editor for a high-end journal.
Whether you've lost your job or are just looking for a new career, consider these four methods to assist you.
1. Consider The Past Year
It's common to feel a bit low about work post-festive period.
A careers coach stresses the importance of reflection before starting a new job search.
She suggests people to consider what they want to increase, what to decrease, and what energizes or exhausts their drive.
Looking back at your past successes to find common themes is useful too. "Try to avoid considering only the last month, as people often exhibit to focus on the recent that can obstruct the process," she adds.
Another professional notes it is crucial to decide the role of work occupies in your life.
This means being candid regarding the hours you devote to work and the influence on your social and family life.
After her own experience, she suggests against letting your life be dictated by your career.
2. Make Incremental Actions
She notes that professionals can implement incremental moves towards changing careers without a complete leap.
Her own journey took several years to transition from a traditional job to running a company full-time, working on her idea alongside her job, which enabled self-funding from the start.
"It took more time, but that was the method I used sustainably," she explains.
She advocates for a test-run strategy.
This might involve pro bono work, participating in a professional project that captures your interest, or saying yes to a different task in your existing role.
"The worst outcome, you find out you don't like, but it's preferable to learn now instead of after you've switched careers," she states.
She also advises exploring interim roles. These might not be the ideal job, but they act as progress forward, such as a role with similarities to your target field, but in a different industry or sector.
"It means granting yourself the space to acknowledge this works for now, however, that is not permanent.
"This is a very smart tactic for getting nearer to your career change."
3. Acknowledge Your Successes
Should you have recently been made redundant from your position, many are in the same boat – layoff figures have risen markedly lately.
She held a senior role in a magazine, previously she lost their jobs following a decision to ceased print operations.
Recognizing that this situation did not reflect of her performance allowed her to handle the transition.
"Your experience doesn't go away because you lost your job.
"Don't relinquish your confidence, it's vital for everybody to recognize their own worth."
The other editor was fired after a decade in a business journal due to leadership changes in management and the appointment of a new editor.
She emphasizes that so much of the embarrassment of dismissal is in your head.
"Given that hundreds of thousands of individuals facing redundancy, it's usually not about you. Chances are very much not you, so avoid carrying that feeling forward."
4. Create a Professional Checklist
If you're urgently looking for a new job or feel utterly miserable in your current role, it can be tempting to apply hastily at any opportunity – overlooking personal fulfillment.
But this is a big misstep.
Instead, she suggests a method called "scanning" – narrowing your search on position summaries that capture your interest.
She recommends searching sites like LinkedIn and saving a selection of that seem promising.
"Look for {the words|the