We Got Let Go, and We're Owning It – Here's How to Land a New Job That Fits Your Needs
The beginning of a new year is often a period for contemplation, and for numerous people, that includes evaluating our work lives.
Two publishing professionals who left their jobs after corporate restructures at first believed it was a disaster.
"I invested everything into that role... I trusted in the values we promoted. However, regarding my situation, that ethos didn't apply," she states.
They both chose to say "fired" and believe that being transparent about the situation can aid you process the experience.
"We use countless euphemisms for job loss. However, the quicker you own it, the quicker you're honest regarding it, the quicker you can advance.
"That is the quickest route to anything you desire to pursue next," she continues.
Now, they are excelling in new ventures, with one leading a media business and the other holding the position of lead editor for a high-end journal.
Whether you've been made redundant or are simply considering a shift, these are four methods that can help.
1. Consider Last Year
It's common to have some apprehension concerning your career after a holiday break.
A career expert stresses the importance of reflection before starting the search for a new role.
She suggests people to consider what they want to do more of, what they want less of, and the things that energizes or exhausts them.
Looking back at your accomplishments to find underlying threads is useful too. "Try to avoid considering only the recent past, because we all exhibit for recency bias that can impede the process," she notes.
She also states it is important to establish the role of work plays in your life.
This involves being truthful about the amount of time you spend working and its impact on your family and social life.
After her own experience, she advises against letting your life be dictated by your job.
2. Implement Small Steps
The advisor states that individuals can take incremental moves towards changing careers without a complete leap.
She herself took several years to move from a corporate role to operating a company completely, working on the venture while still employed, which allowed self-funding from the start.
"It needed additional time, however, that was the method I used in a sustainable way," she explains.
She suggests an experimental approach.
This can include pro bono work, participating in a work project that interests you, or agreeing to a different task at your present job.
"If it fails, you find out it's not a fit, but it's better to find out now rather than after you've made the move," she states.
She also advises looking into temporary "stepping-stone" positions. They are perhaps not the ideal job, but they serve as progress towards your goal, for example a position with parallels to the career you want, yet not in the same area.
"It's about giving yourself the leeway to say this is suitable temporarily, but that does not mean the same as forever.
"That represents a very smart tactic to get much closer to your new career."
3. Recall Your Achievements
If you've recently been made redundant from your role, you are not the only one – layoff figures have increased to high levels recently.
One professional was the top editor in a magazine, previously her entire team were made redundant after the company discontinued the physical magazine.
Understanding that this situation was not indicative of her ability assisted 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 important for all individuals to recognize their own value."
The other editor lost her job following a long tenure at a financial magazine after a change at the top and the appointment of a different editor.
She emphasizes that much of the embarrassment of dismissal is internal.
"Considering the vast numbers of individuals facing redundancy, it's rarely personal. It's probably not about you, so avoid carrying that burden of shame forward."
4. Develop a Career Checklist
For those who are actively hunting for employment or are utterly miserable in your current role, you might be tempted to jump at at any opportunity – overlooking personal fulfillment.
But this is a significant mistake.
Alternatively, she proposes a technique known as "browsing" – narrowing your search to only role profiles that seem appealing.
She suggests browsing sites like LinkedIn and collecting around 10 to 15 that seem promising.
"Identify {the words|the
