We Got Fired, and We're Owning It – This Is How to Land a New Role That Fits Your Needs
The beginning of a new year can be a time for reflection, and for numerous people, that involves thinking about our work lives.
A pair of editors who lost their jobs following company reorganizations initially felt it was catastrophic.
"I dedicated all my energy into the job... I trusted in the principles we championed. However, regarding my situation, those principles didn't apply," one of them remarks.
They both opted to employ the word "let go" and argue that being honest about it can assist you process the experience.
"People rely on numerous euphemisms for losing a job. But the faster you accept it, the sooner you're truthful about it, the faster you can progress.
"It's the fast track to what you wish to do next," she adds.
Today, they are thriving in different roles, where one owning her own firm and the other serving as top editor for a high-end journal.
If you've been laid off or are simply considering a shift, consider these four strategies for guidance.
1. Reflect On Last Year
It's natural to feel some unease about work post-festive period.
A careers coach stresses the necessity of reflection prior to launching a new job search.
She advises individuals to think about what they wish to pursue more, what they want less of, and the things that energizes or exhausts them.
Examining your accomplishments to find recurring patterns is also beneficial. "Avoid focusing solely on the recent past, because we all exhibit for recency bias that can hinder clear thinking," she notes.
She also says it is important to establish what place your job occupies in your life.
This requires being truthful regarding the hours you spend working and its effect on your family life.
After her own experience, she suggests against letting your life be shaped solely by your job.
2. Implement Small Steps
The expert says people can take gradual progress towards a career shift without committing fully.
She herself took several years to transition from a traditional job to managing her own company entirely, developing the venture concurrently with her role, which meant she could pay herself.
"It required additional time, but that represented my approach sustainably," she comments.
She recommends a test-run method.
This can include volunteer work, getting involved in a professional project that captures your interest, or agreeing to something different in your existing role.
"If it fails, you discover that area isn't for you, but it's preferable to find out now rather than after you've switched careers," she remarks.
She also advises looking into short-term "bridging roles". These may not be the perfect role, but they act as progress forward, such as a role with parallels to your desired career, though not in the exact area.
"It involves granting yourself the leeway to accept this is suitable temporarily, but that does not mean for all time.
"This is a very smart approach to get nearer to your new career."
3. Acknowledge Your Achievements
Should you have just left your role, you are not the only one – redundancy rates have risen significantly in recent times.
A former editor was the top editor for a fashion publication, previously she were made redundant when the firm ceased print operations.
Realizing that this situation was not indicative of her ability helped her cope with the situation.
"The skills you've gained doesn't disappear simply due to lost your job.
"Do not surrender your self-worth, it's crucial for everyone to recognize their own worth."
The other editor lost her job after a decade in a business journal following a regime change at the top and the hiring of new leadership.
She emphasizes that so much of the embarrassment of job loss is in your head.
"With many people being laid off, it's not personal. It's probably not about you, so refrain from bearing that ball of shame forward."
4. Develop a Career Checklist
If you're urgently looking for work or are profoundly unhappy at work, it can be tempting to apply hastily for any vacancy – overlooking personal fulfillment.
However, this represents a big misstep.
Rather, she recommends a technique known as "scanning" – narrowing your search on position summaries that sound interesting.
She recommends browsing sites like LinkedIn and collecting a selection of that appeal to you.
"Look for {the words|the
