We Got Let Go, and We're Embracing It – Here's How to Land a New Role That Fits Your Needs
A new year's onset can be a period for contemplation, and for numerous people, that encompasses considering our career trajectories.
Two editors who lost their roles following company reorganizations at first believed their world had ended.
"I invested my heart into the job... I believed in the ethos we championed. But in my case, that ethos weren't there," a former editor remarks.
Both individuals chose to employ the word "fired" and believe that being open about it can assist you handle the event.
"There are so many euphemisms for losing a job. Yet, the sooner you acknowledge it, the faster you're truthful about it, the sooner you can progress.
"That is the quickest route to what you want to do next," she notes.
Today, they are excelling in different roles, with one leading a media business and another holding the position of top editor for a high-end journal.
If you've lost your job or are simply considering a shift, consider these four strategies to assist you.
1. Contemplate The Past Year
It's natural to experience some apprehension about work after a holiday break.
A careers coach highlights the value of introspection prior to launching the search for a new role.
She encourages people to consider what they wish to pursue more, what to decrease, and which factors inspires or drains their drive.
Examining your past successes to identify recurring patterns is useful too. "Avoid focusing solely on the last month, as people often have a tendency to focus on the recent that can obstruct clear thinking," she states.
She also notes it is crucial to establish what place your job plays in your life.
This involves being candid about the amount of time you spend working and its effect on your family life.
After being let go, she advises not allowing your identity be shaped solely by your career.
2. Make Gradual Moves
The expert says people can take incremental moves towards changing careers without a complete leap.
She took several years to move from a corporate role to running her own company full-time, building her project concurrently with her role, which meant financial stability.
"It required a bit longer, but that was how I did it in a sustainable way," she says.
She recommends a test-run method.
This might involve pro bono work, getting involved in a work project you find appealing, or saying yes to something different in your existing role.
"If it fails, you learn that area isn't for you, but it's preferable to learn now rather than after you've made the move," she adds.
She also advises looking into temporary "stepping-stone" positions. These might not be the ideal job, but they serve as a step in the right direction, for example a position with parallels to your target field, but in a different area.
"It means allowing yourself the leeway to accept this works for now, however, that is not permanent.
"That can be an intelligent approach to get nearer to your career change."
3. Recall Your Successes
Should you have recently been made redundant from your position, you aren't alone – layoff figures have surged significantly recently.
One professional held a senior role at a style magazine, but in 2022 she and her team lost their jobs after the company closed the print version.
Understanding that this event did not reflect of her performance allowed her to cope with the situation.
"The skills you've gained remains with you simply due to lost your job.
"Do not surrender your power, it's important for all individuals to recognize their own value."
Her colleague was fired after a decade in a business journal due to leadership changes in management and the appointment of new leadership.
She notes that a lot of the embarrassment of dismissal is self-imposed.
"Given that hundreds of thousands of people being laid off, it's rarely personal. It's likely not your fault, so avoid carrying that burden of shame around with you."
4. Build a Job Search List
If you're actively hunting for employment or are utterly miserable in your current role, you might be tempted to jump at for any job – overlooking personal fulfillment.
However, this represents a significant mistake.
Rather, she recommends a method called "reviewing" – filtering opportunities on role profiles that capture your interest.
She advises browsing sites like LinkedIn and saving several that appeal to you.
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