We Were Fired, and We're Owning It – Learn How to Find a New Job That Works Your Needs
The beginning of a new year can be a moment for introspection, and for many, that involves evaluating our career trajectories.
Two publishing professionals who left their jobs due to organizational changes originally thought their world had ended.
"I invested everything into that role... I believed in the ethos we stood for. However, regarding my situation, those values weren't there," a former editor says.
The two opted to use the term "dismissed" and suggest that being honest about it can assist you handle it.
"There are numerous alternative phrases for job loss. But the faster you accept it, the quicker you're candid regarding it, the sooner you can progress.
"That is the direct path to what you wish to do next," she notes.
Currently, they are succeeding in new positions, with one leading her own media company and the other working as top editor for a luxury magazine.
For those who have been laid off or are looking for a new career, consider these four strategies that can help.
1. Contemplate The Past Year
It's typical to have a bit low about work following time off.
A careers coach emphasizes the importance of introspection before starting a new job search.
She encourages people to consider what they wish to increase, what they want less of, and what energizes or exhausts their energy.
Reviewing your achievements to find underlying threads can also help. "Try to avoid just looking at the most recent period, as people often exhibit to focus on the recent that can hinder clear thinking," she adds.
She also states it is crucial to decide where your work occupies in your life.
This means being truthful about the amount of time you're working and its effect on your family and social life.
After her own experience, she advises against letting your identity be shaped solely by your job.
2. Take Small Steps
She notes that professionals can implement gradual progress towards changing careers without a complete leap.
Her own journey took several years to move from a corporate role to managing her own business completely, working on her project alongside her job, which enabled self-funding from the start.
"It needed more time, but that represented my approach sustainably," she says.
She suggests an experimental approach.
This could be pro bono work, participating in a work project that interests you, or saying yes to a new challenge at your present job.
"If it fails, you discover it's not a fit, but it's preferable to find out now rather than after you've committed fully," she adds.
She also advises considering short-term "bridging roles". These may not be the dream position, but they act as progress forward, like a job that shares traits to your target field, though not in the exact field.
"It involves granting yourself the space to say this is good for now, however, that is not the same as forever.
"This is a clever strategy for getting much closer to a new career."
3. Remember Your Accomplishments
If you've recently lost your position, you are not the only one – layoff figures have increased to high levels lately.
She held a senior role at a style magazine, previously she and her team lost their jobs when the firm closed the print version.
Understanding that this event was not indicative of her ability assisted her cope with the situation.
"The skills you've gained remains with you simply due to were let go.
"Don't relinquish your self-worth, it's crucial for everyone to remember their own value."
The other editor was fired after a decade at a financial magazine after a change in senior ranks and the hiring of a new editor.
She notes that much of the embarrassment of dismissal is in your head.
"Given that hundreds of thousands of individuals facing redundancy, it's rarely personal. Chances are very much not you, so avoid carrying that burden of shame around with you."
4. Build a Career Checklist
If you're urgently looking for a new job or feel deeply dissatisfied in your current role, the temptation is to apply hastily at any opportunity – ignoring personal fulfillment.
But this is a significant mistake.
Instead, she suggests an exercise called "reviewing" – focusing your search down to job descriptions that seem appealing.
She suggests exploring job platforms and collecting a selection of that seem promising.
"What are {the words|the
