We Were Fired, and We're Owning It – Learn How to Secure a Fresh Position That Fits for You
The start of a new year is often a moment for introspection, and for many, that involves considering our professional paths.
Two publishing professionals who left their positions due to organizational changes initially felt their world had ended.
"I dedicated all my energy into the job... I had faith in the principles we stood for. Yet, when it came to me, that ethos didn't apply," she remarks.
They both opted to use the term "let go" and suggest that being honest about the situation can help you process the experience.
"There are numerous alternative phrases for losing a job. But the faster you own it, the quicker you're truthful about it, the sooner you can progress.
"That is the direct path to what you desire next," she continues.
Currently, they are thriving in new positions, with one owning a media business and another working as top editor for a luxury magazine.
If you've been laid off or are just looking for a new career, these are four methods that can help.
1. Reflect On The Past Year
It's natural to have some unease regarding your job post-festive period.
A career expert highlights the value of looking back before embarking on a new job search.
She suggests professionals to evaluate what they wish to increase, what to reduce, and the things that motivates or depletes their drive.
Reviewing your accomplishments to identify underlying threads is also beneficial. "Avoid focusing solely on the recent past, as people often exhibit to focus on the recent that can hinder the process," she states.
She also says it is important to establish where your work occupies in your life.
This requires being truthful about how much time you're working and its effect on your social life.
After her own experience, she advises preventing your identity be dictated by your job.
2. Take Small Steps
The expert notes that professionals can make gradual progress towards changing careers without diving in headfirst.
Her own journey took several years to move from a corporate role to managing a company completely, developing her idea concurrently with her role, which allowed she could pay herself.
"It required a bit longer, but that represented the method I used in a sustainable way," she says.
She recommends a "try before you buy" approach.
This could be pro bono work, participating in a professional project that interests you, or saying yes to something different within your current team.
"The worst outcome, you learn you don't like, but it's preferable to know now rather than after you've switched careers," she remarks.
She also advises exploring short-term "bridging roles". They are perhaps not the ideal job, yet they function as a move forward, like a job with parallels to your desired career, but in a different industry or sector.
"It's about giving yourself the space to acknowledge this is good for now, however, that is not the same as forever.
"That represents an intelligent strategy to get much closer to that career change."
3. Recall Your Successes
For anyone who has recently lost your role, you are not the only one – layoff figures have risen significantly in recent times.
She was editor-in-chief for a fashion publication, but a few years ago her entire team were laid off when the firm discontinued the physical magazine.
Recognizing that this event was not indicative of her ability helped her process the change.
"Your experience doesn't go away simply due to lost your job.
"Do not surrender your power, it's crucial for everyone to recognize their own worth."
Another professional lost her job after ten years at a financial magazine after a change in management and the appointment of a new editor.
She stresses that a lot of the shame of job loss is in your head.
"Considering the vast numbers of professionals losing jobs, it's rarely personal. Chances are very much not you, so avoid carrying that ball of shame forward."
4. Build a Professional Checklist
If you're urgently looking for work or are deeply dissatisfied in your current role, the temptation is to apply hastily at any opportunity – disregarding personal fulfillment.
Yet, this can be a major error.
Alternatively, she proposes a method called "reviewing" – narrowing your search to only role profiles that sound interesting.
She suggests searching professional networks and saving a selection of that appeal to you.
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