We Got Dismissed, and We're Owning It – This Is How to Find a Fresh Position That Fits Your Needs
The beginning of a new year is frequently a time for reflection, and for a lot of us, that includes evaluating our career trajectories.
A pair of editors who left their positions following company reorganizations at first believed their world had ended.
"I poured everything into that role... I had faith in the ethos we promoted. But in my case, those principles were absent," she states.
Both individuals decided to use the term "dismissed" and argue that being transparent about the situation can help you deal with the event.
"People rely on numerous soft terms for losing a job. However, the quicker you acknowledge it, the quicker you're candid regarding it, the faster you can progress.
"That's the direct path to whatever you desire next," she notes.
Now, they are excelling in new ventures, with one owning her own media company and another holding the position of editor-in-chief for a high-end journal.
If you've been laid off or are simply considering a shift, here are four strategies for guidance.
1. Contemplate Last Year
It's natural to have some apprehension concerning your career post-festive period.
A career expert highlights the necessity of introspection before embarking on the search for a new role.
She advises professionals to evaluate what they wish to pursue more, what to decrease, and what inspires or drains them.
Reviewing your accomplishments to spot common themes is also beneficial. "Try not to just looking at the most recent period, because we all have a tendency for recency bias that can hinder your judgment," she states.
A former editor notes it is important to determine the role of work plays in your life.
This means being honest regarding the hours you're working and the influence on your family life.
Following her job loss, she suggests against letting your identity be shaped solely by your career.
2. Make Incremental Actions
The expert says people can make incremental moves towards changing careers without diving in headfirst.
Her own journey required a long period to move from her corporate career to running her own business completely, building her project concurrently with her role, which meant self-funding from the start.
"It took more time, however, that was the method I used in a sustainable way," she comments.
She advocates for a "try before you buy" approach.
This can include volunteering, participating in an initiative you find appealing, or agreeing to something different in your existing role.
"If it fails, you discover it's not a fit, but it's better to know now instead of after you've made the move," she remarks.
She also advises looking into interim roles. They are perhaps not the perfect role, but they act as progress in the right direction, such as a role with parallels to your desired career, though not in the exact industry or sector.
"It's about allowing yourself the space to say this works for now, however, that is not for all time.
"That can be a clever strategy to get much closer to your desired transition."
3. Acknowledge Your Achievements
Should you have recently lost your position, you are not the only one – redundancy rates have risen to high levels lately.
A former editor was editor-in-chief for a fashion publication, but a few years ago she were laid off following a decision to discontinued the physical magazine.
Realizing that this event was not a reflection of her performance allowed her to cope with the situation.
"Your experience doesn't go away simply due to were let go.
"Don't relinquish your self-worth, it's vital for all individuals to remember their own value."
Her colleague was let go following a long tenure at a financial magazine following a regime change in management and the appointment of a different editor.
She notes that so much of the shame of job loss is in your head.
"With many individuals facing redundancy, it's usually not about you. It's likely not your fault, so avoid carrying that feeling unnecessarily."
4. Develop a Job Search List
If you're desperately seeking a new job or feel utterly miserable in your current role, you might be tempted to dive straight into applying for any job – overlooking personal fulfillment.
However, this represents a significant mistake.
Instead, she suggests a technique known as "browsing" – filtering opportunities to only position summaries that seem appealing.
She advises browsing sites like LinkedIn and saving a selection of that seem promising.
"Look for {the words|the
