We Were Fired, and We're Owning It – Here's How to Find a New Role That Suits You Personally
The start of a new year can be a time for reflection, and for many, that includes thinking about our career trajectories.
A pair of editors who were made redundant from their jobs after corporate restructures originally thought it was a disaster.
"I invested everything into the position... I trusted in the values we promoted. Yet, when it came to me, those principles were absent," a former editor remarks.
They both decided to say "let go" and suggest that being open about it can aid you handle the experience.
"We use numerous euphemisms for being dismissed. However, the quicker you acknowledge it, the faster you're truthful about it, the quicker you can move on.
"That is the quickest route to whatever you desire to pursue next," she notes.
Today, they are succeeding in different roles, with one owning her own firm and another holding the position of top editor for a high-end journal.
If you've been made redundant or are simply considering a shift, these are four approaches that can help.
1. Contemplate The Previous Year
It's common to feel a bit low concerning your career post-festive period.
A careers coach stresses the value of reflection before embarking on the search for a new role.
She encourages individuals to think about what they desire to pursue more, what to reduce, and what motivates or depletes their energy.
Examining your past successes to identify common themes is also beneficial. "Try not to considering only the last month, since everyone suffer from for recent-event bias that can obstruct clear thinking," she adds.
A former editor states it is important to determine what place your job fits in your life.
This means being honest about the amount of time you spend working and its effect on your social and family life.
Following her job loss, she suggests against letting yourself be shaped solely by your job.
2. Make Incremental Actions
The advisor states that individuals can make incremental moves towards changing careers without a complete leap.
She took several years to move from a traditional job to managing her own business completely, working on her idea while still employed, which enabled self-funding from the start.
"It required a bit longer, however, that was how I did it sustainably," she comments.
She recommends a "try before you buy" strategy.
This can include pro bono work, participating in a professional project you find appealing, or accepting a different task in your existing role.
"The worst outcome, you learn it's not a fit, but it's preferable to learn now than after you've switched careers," she adds.
She also encourages looking into temporary "stepping-stone" positions. They are perhaps not the dream position, yet they function as progress towards your goal, for example a position with parallels to your target field, but in a different area.
"It's about granting yourself the leeway to say this is good for now, but that isn't for all time.
"This is a very smart strategy for moving nearer to that career change."
3. Recall Your Achievements
If you've just left your position, many are in the same boat – job cuts have risen markedly in recent times.
A former editor held a senior role for a fashion publication, but in 2022 she were laid off when the firm closed the print version.
Realizing that this event was not indicative of her ability helped her cope with the situation.
"The skills you've gained doesn't go away simply due to were let go.
"Don't give up your confidence, it's crucial for everyone to remember their own worth."
Her colleague was fired following a long tenure in a business journal following a regime change in senior ranks and the appointment of new leadership.
She stresses that a lot of the shame of job loss is internal.
"Considering the vast numbers of individuals facing redundancy, it's usually not about you. It's probably very much not you, so don't carry that feeling around with you."
4. Create a Professional Checklist
If you're desperately seeking work or are utterly miserable at work, it can be tempting to jump at for any vacancy – ignoring what suits you.
However, this represents a big misstep.
Rather, she recommends an exercise called "scanning" – filtering opportunities to only position summaries that seem appealing.
She suggests browsing sites like LinkedIn and saving several that you like.
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