We Got Fired, and We're Owning It – This Is How to Secure a New Job That Suits You Personally
The start of a new year can be a period for contemplation, and for many, that encompasses thinking about our career trajectories.
Two editors who were made redundant from their jobs after corporate restructures initially felt it was catastrophic.
"I dedicated all my energy into the position... I had faith in the ethos we championed. Yet, when it came to me, those values didn't apply," one of them remarks.
The two decided to say "let go" and believe that being transparent about what happened can aid you process the event.
"We use numerous soft terms for losing a job. But the faster you accept it, the faster you're candid about it, the faster you can move on.
"That is the fast track to anything you desire next," she continues.
Today, they are succeeding in new positions, with one running a media business and the other serving as lead editor for a luxury magazine.
Whether you've lost your job or are looking for a new career, here are four methods for guidance.
1. Consider Last Year
It's natural to experience a bit low regarding your job following time off.
A professional advisor highlights the value of looking back prior to launching the search for a new role.
She advises people to consider what they desire to pursue more, what to decrease, and what motivates or depletes their energy.
Reviewing your accomplishments to spot recurring patterns can also help. "Avoid considering only the last month, since everyone have a tendency for recency bias that can impede clear thinking," she notes.
She also says it is vital to decide what place your job plays in your life.
This involves being candid regarding the hours you're working and its effect on your personal life.
Following her job loss, she advises preventing your identity be defined by your work.
2. Take Small Steps
She notes that professionals can implement gradual progress for a career transition without committing fully.
She herself took several years to move from her corporate career to managing a company completely, building her project alongside her job, which enabled she could pay herself.
"It needed additional time, however, that was the method I used in a sustainable way," she comments.
She advocates for an experimental method.
This can include volunteering, joining a work project that captures your interest, or agreeing to a new challenge in your existing role.
"The worst outcome, you find out that area isn't for you, however, it's wiser to learn now rather than after you've committed fully," she adds.
Additionally, she suggests looking into interim roles. These may not be the ideal job, but they serve as a step in the right direction, like a job with similarities to the career you want, though not in the exact area.
"It's about giving yourself the space to say this is good for now, but that does not mean the same as forever.
"That can be a very smart approach for getting nearer to your desired transition."
3. Recall Your Achievements
Should you have recently lost your job, many are in the same boat – layoff figures have surged to high levels in recent times.
One professional was editor-in-chief in a magazine, but a few years ago she were laid off after the company ceased print operations.
Understanding that this event did not reflect of her skills helped her process the change.
"The skills you've gained doesn't go away just because you were let go.
"Don't relinquish your self-worth, it's vital for everyone to remember their own value."
The other editor was let go after a decade at a financial magazine following a regime change in management and the appointment of a different editor.
She stresses that much of the embarrassment of job loss is internal.
"Considering the vast numbers of individuals facing redundancy, it's usually not about you. It's likely very much not you, so avoid carrying that burden of shame forward."
4. Create a Career Checklist
For those who are actively hunting for work or are profoundly unhappy at work, it can be tempting to apply hastily at any opportunity – disregarding what suits you.
Yet, this can be a significant mistake.
Rather, she recommends a method called "reviewing" – filtering opportunities on position summaries that seem appealing.
She suggests exploring sites like LinkedIn and collecting a selection of that you like.
"Look for {the words|the
