We Were Fired, and We Accept It – Here's How to Secure a Fresh Position That Fits for You
A new year's onset is often a period for contemplation, and for many, that involves evaluating our work lives.
A pair of editors who left their jobs due to organizational changes originally thought their world had ended.
"I dedicated my heart into the position... I trusted in the ethos we promoted. But in my case, that ethos didn't apply," one of them remarks.
They both decided to say "fired" and argue that being transparent about what happened can help you process it.
"People rely on so many euphemisms for job loss. However, the quicker you own it, the quicker you're honest about it, the quicker you can progress.
"It's the fast track to what you wish to pursue next," she adds.
Currently, they are thriving in new positions, with one owning her own firm and another working as editor-in-chief for a high-end journal.
If you've been laid off or are simply looking for a new career, here are four approaches for guidance.
1. Reflect On The Previous Year
It's natural to feel some apprehension concerning your career post-festive period.
A careers coach emphasizes the value of introspection prior to launching a new job search.
She suggests people to consider what they wish to increase, what to reduce, and which factors motivates or depletes them.
Examining your past successes to find underlying threads is also beneficial. "Try to avoid focusing solely on the most recent period, since everyone exhibit for recency bias that can hinder the process," she notes.
A former editor says it is vital to establish the role of work fits in your life.
This involves being truthful about the amount of time you spend working and its impact on your family and social life.
Following her job loss, she advises preventing yourself be defined by your job.
2. Make Gradual Moves
She notes that professionals can make gradual progress towards a career shift without diving in headfirst.
She required a long period to move from a corporate role to running her own company entirely, working on her idea concurrently with her role, which allowed she could pay herself.
"It required a bit longer, however, that was my approach without risk," she comments.
She suggests a "try before you buy" strategy.
This might involve volunteering, joining an initiative that interests you, or agreeing to something different within your current team.
"The worst outcome, you learn that area isn't for you, but it's better to learn now than after you've switched careers," she adds.
She also advises exploring interim roles. They are perhaps not the perfect role, yet they function as progress towards your goal, like a job with parallels to the career you want, yet not in the same field.
"It means allowing yourself the permission to accept this is good for now, but that does not mean the same as forever.
"That can be a very smart strategy to get closer to a career change."
3. Remember Your Achievements
If you've recently been made redundant from your role, you are not the only one – redundancy rates have increased significantly recently.
One professional was editor-in-chief in a magazine, previously she were made redundant following a decision to closed the print version.
Recognizing that this was not a reflection of her performance helped her handle the transition.
"What you've learned remains with you because you lost your job.
"Don't relinquish your power, it's important for everybody to remember their intrinsic value."
Another professional was let go after a decade in a business journal after a change at the top and the arrival of new leadership.
She emphasizes that so much of the shame of dismissal is self-imposed.
"With many people being laid off, it's rarely personal. It's likely not about you, so refrain from bearing that ball of shame forward."
4. Develop a Professional Checklist
If you're actively hunting for employment or are deeply dissatisfied with your present job, the temptation is to dive straight into applying for any vacancy – overlooking personal fulfillment.
However, this represents a big misstep.
Alternatively, she proposes a technique known as "scanning" – narrowing your search to only position summaries that capture your interest.
She suggests searching sites like LinkedIn and collecting around 10 to 15 that appeal to you.
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