We Were Dismissed, and We're Embracing It – This Is How to Secure a Fresh Position That Fits Your Needs
A new year's onset can be a moment for introspection, and for many, that involves thinking about our work lives.
Two publishing professionals who lost their jobs following company reorganizations at first believed it was a disaster.
"I invested my heart into the job... I believed in the values we promoted. But in my case, those values weren't there," one of them says.
Both individuals opted to employ the word "let go" and argue that being open about what happened can help you deal with the event.
"People rely on countless alternative phrases for losing a job. But the faster you acknowledge it, the faster you're truthful about it, the sooner you can progress.
"That is the fast track to anything you desire next," she adds.
Currently, they are thriving in new positions, where one owning her own firm and another holding the position of top editor for a luxury magazine.
Whether you've been made redundant or are considering a shift, consider these four strategies that can help.
1. Reflect On The Previous Year
It's natural to have some apprehension about work following time off.
A professional advisor highlights the value of introspection before starting a fresh job hunt.
She encourages individuals to think about what they desire to increase, what to decrease, and what motivates or depletes their energy.
Reviewing your achievements to identify underlying threads is useful too. "Try not to focusing solely on the most recent period, since everyone exhibit for recency bias that can impede the process," she adds.
She also notes it is important to establish what place your job occupies in your life.
This involves being candid about the amount of time you devote to work and its effect on your social and family life.
After being let go, she recommends not allowing your identity be dictated by your work.
2. Take Gradual Moves
She notes that professionals can take incremental moves for a career transition without diving in headfirst.
Her own journey took several years to make the jump from a corporate role to operating her own business entirely, developing the venture alongside her job, which allowed she could pay herself.
"It took a bit longer, however, that was the method I used sustainably," she comments.
She advocates for an experimental strategy.
This might involve volunteering, participating in an initiative you find appealing, or saying yes to a new challenge within your current team.
"If it fails, you discover that area isn't for you, however, it's wiser to find out now than after you've switched careers," she states.
She also encourages exploring short-term "bridging roles". These may not be the dream position, but they serve as a step towards your goal, for example a position that shares traits to your target field, though not in the exact field.
"It involves giving yourself the leeway to say this is suitable temporarily, but that isn't the same as forever.
"This is a clever strategy for moving nearer to a desired transition."
3. Acknowledge Your Successes
Should you have recently been made redundant from your position, many are in the same boat – redundancy rates have risen significantly in recent times.
She was editor-in-chief in a magazine, but in 2022 her entire team were laid off after the company closed the print version.
Understanding that this situation was not a reflection of her skills helped her handle the transition.
"The skills you've gained doesn't go away simply due to were dismissed.
"Don't give up your self-worth, it's vital for all individuals to recall their intrinsic value."
The other editor lost her job after ten years with a finance publication due to leadership changes in senior ranks and the arrival of new leadership.
She stresses that much of the embarrassment of job loss is in your head.
"With many professionals losing jobs, it's not personal. Chances are very much not you, so don't carry that ball of shame forward."
4. Develop a Job Search List
When you're actively hunting for work or are utterly miserable at work, it can be tempting to dive straight into applying at any opportunity – ignoring your own happiness.
But this is a significant mistake.
Instead, she suggests a technique known as "scanning" – filtering opportunities to only role profiles that capture your interest.
She advises browsing professional networks and saving a selection of that seem promising.
"Look for {the words|the
