We Were Fired, and We're Embracing It – Here's How to Land a Fresh Position That Fits You Personally
A new year's onset is often a time for reflection, and for numerous people, that involves thinking about our professional paths.
Two editors who lost their roles after corporate restructures at first believed it was a disaster.
"I poured everything into the job... I had faith in the principles we championed. Yet, when it came to me, that ethos weren't there," a former editor remarks.
They both chose to employ the word "fired" and suggest that being open about it can help you deal with the experience.
"There are so many alternative phrases for being dismissed. Yet, the sooner you own it, the quicker you're candid about it, the sooner you can progress.
"That's the direct path to whatever you desire next," she notes.
Currently, they are succeeding in new positions, where one owning a media business and another holding the position of editor-in-chief at a prestigious publication.
For those who have lost your job or are just contemplating a change, these are four strategies to assist you.
1. Consider Last Year
It's common to feel a bit low about work after a holiday break.
A professional advisor stresses the necessity of looking back prior to launching the search for a new role.
She advises individuals to think about what they want to do more of, what they want less of, and the things that energizes or exhausts their drive.
Examining your accomplishments to spot underlying threads can also help. "Avoid focusing solely on the recent past, as people often have a tendency to focus on the recent that can obstruct clear thinking," she adds.
She also states it is vital to determine what place your job occupies in your life.
This means being honest about the amount of time you're working and its effect on your social and social life.
After being let go, she advises not allowing your identity be dictated by your career.
2. Implement Incremental Actions
She notes that professionals can take gradual progress towards a career shift without a complete leap.
Her own journey required a long period to move from her corporate career to operating her own company full-time, building the venture alongside her job, which meant financial stability.
"It took a bit longer, however, that was the method I used without risk," she comments.
She advocates for an experimental approach.
This can include pro bono work, getting involved in an initiative that captures your interest, or agreeing to a different task in your existing role.
"Worst case scenario, you discover you don't like, but it's preferable to know now instead of after you've made the move," she states.
Additionally, she suggests looking into temporary "stepping-stone" positions. They are perhaps not the perfect role, yet they function as progress in the right direction, such as a role with parallels to the career you want, yet not in the same field.
"It means granting yourself the space to say this is suitable temporarily, but that does not mean the same as forever.
"That represents an intelligent approach for moving much closer to that new career."
3. Recall Your Successes
Should you have recently been made redundant from your job, you are not the only one – redundancy rates have surged significantly lately.
She was the top editor in a magazine, but a few years ago her entire team were made redundant when the firm ceased print operations.
Understanding that this situation did not reflect of her ability helped her process the change.
"The skills you've gained doesn't disappear because you were dismissed.
"Don't give up your power, it's important for everyone to recognize their own value."
The other editor was fired following a long tenure at a financial magazine after a change in senior ranks and the arrival of new leadership.
She emphasizes that so much of the stigma of job loss is in your head.
"With many people being laid off, it's not personal. It's likely not about you, so don't carry that feeling forward."
4. Create a Job Search List
For those who are urgently looking for a new job or feel utterly miserable at work, the temptation is to dive straight into applying for any job – ignoring your own happiness.
However, this represents a major error.
Instead, she suggests a technique known as "reviewing" – narrowing your search to only job descriptions that capture your interest.
She suggests searching sites like LinkedIn and gathering around 10 to 15 that you like.
"What are {the words|the
