We Were Let Go, and We Accept It – Learn How to Find a Fresh Position That Works Your Needs
The beginning of a new year can be a period for contemplation, and for numerous people, that involves evaluating our professional paths.
Two publishing professionals who were made redundant from their roles due to organizational changes originally thought their world had ended.
"I dedicated everything into the position... I trusted in the principles we promoted. Yet, when it came to me, that ethos weren't there," one of them remarks.
The two opted to say "dismissed" and believe that being open about the situation can assist you handle it.
"People rely on countless euphemisms for losing a job. Yet, the sooner you own it, the faster you're truthful about it, the sooner you can move on.
"It's the direct path to what you want to do next," she notes.
Today, they are thriving in new positions, with one owning her own firm and another working as top editor at a prestigious publication.
If you've lost your job or are just contemplating a change, consider these four approaches that can help.
1. Contemplate The Past Year
It's typical to experience some apprehension regarding your job following time off.
A career expert stresses the importance of reflection prior to launching a fresh job hunt.
She encourages professionals to evaluate what they want to do more of, what they want less of, and the things that motivates or depletes them.
Examining your past successes to identify recurring patterns is useful too. "Avoid focusing solely on the recent past, as people often suffer from for recent-event bias that can hinder the process," she notes.
She also notes it is vital to establish where your work fits in your life.
This means being honest about the amount of time you spend working and its effect on your social and family life.
After her own experience, she recommends preventing your identity be defined by your work.
2. Make Gradual Moves
The expert states that individuals can take small steps towards changing careers without committing fully.
She took seven years to transition from her corporate career to running a company completely, working on the venture while still employed, which allowed financial stability.
"It needed a bit longer, but that represented how I did it sustainably," she explains.
She recommends an experimental approach.
This might involve pro bono work, participating in a work project that captures your interest, or saying yes to a different task within your current team.
"The worst outcome, you find out that area isn't for you, but it's preferable to find out now rather than after you've switched careers," she remarks.
Additionally, she suggests exploring temporary "stepping-stone" positions. These may not be the ideal job, but they serve as a move towards your goal, for example a position that shares traits to the career you want, but in a different industry or sector.
"It's about granting yourself the space to say this is suitable temporarily, but that isn't the same as forever.
"That can be a very smart strategy to get nearer to that new career."
3. Recall Your Achievements
For anyone who has recently been made redundant from your role, many are in the same boat – redundancy rates have risen markedly in recent times.
A former editor was the top editor at a style magazine, but a few years ago she and her team lost their jobs when the firm ceased print operations.
Understanding that this was not indicative of her ability helped her process the change.
"What you've learned doesn't go away because you were dismissed.
"Don't give up your power, it's important for everyone to remember their own value."
Another professional lost her job after ten years with a finance publication after a change in management and the appointment of a different editor.
She emphasizes that a lot of the shame of dismissal is internal.
"Considering the vast numbers of individuals facing redundancy, it's usually not about you. Chances are very much not you, so avoid carrying that feeling forward."
4. Create a Professional Checklist
When you're actively hunting for a new job or feel profoundly unhappy in your current role, the temptation is to dive straight into applying for any vacancy – ignoring personal fulfillment.
But this is a significant mistake.
Alternatively, she proposes an exercise called "browsing" – filtering opportunities on position summaries that capture your interest.
She recommends searching job platforms and gathering around 10 to 15 that seem promising.
"Look for {the words|the
