We Were Fired, and We're Embracing It – Here's How to Land a Fresh Position That Fits You Personally
The beginning of a new year is frequently a time for reflection, and for a lot of us, that includes evaluating our work lives.
Two publishing professionals who lost their positions after corporate restructures originally thought it was catastrophic.
"I invested all my energy into the job... I trusted in the principles we stood for. But in my case, that ethos weren't there," she says.
Both individuals chose to employ the word "fired" and suggest that being open about what happened can help you deal with the event.
"People rely on so many soft terms for being dismissed. Yet, the sooner you acknowledge it, the quicker you're honest about it, the quicker you can move on.
"That is the direct path to anything you wish next," she continues.
Today, they are excelling in new ventures, where one leading her own media company and the other serving as editor-in-chief for a luxury magazine.
Whether you've been laid off or are just considering a shift, consider these four approaches for guidance.
1. Reflect On The Past Year
It's typical to experience a bit low about work post-festive period.
A careers coach highlights the necessity of looking back before starting a fresh job hunt.
She encourages individuals to think about what they wish to increase, what to reduce, and what inspires or drains their drive.
Reviewing your achievements to spot recurring patterns is useful too. "Try not to considering only the recent past, since everyone have a tendency to focus on the recent that can hinder your judgment," she states.
A former editor notes it is crucial to decide where your work occupies in your life.
This involves being honest about how much time you spend working and its impact on your personal and social life.
After being let go, she recommends not allowing your identity be defined by your career.
2. Make Small Steps
The expert states that individuals can implement incremental moves for a career transition without a complete leap.
Her own journey required a long period to transition from a corporate role to managing her own company full-time, developing the venture while still employed, which allowed financial stability.
"It needed a bit longer, however, that was the method I used in a sustainable way," she comments.
She recommends a test-run method.
This might involve pro bono work, joining a work project that interests you, or accepting something different in your existing role.
"The worst outcome, you find out it's not a fit, however, it's wiser to learn now than after you've committed fully," she adds.
She also advises exploring interim roles. These may not be the dream position, yet they function as progress forward, such as a role with parallels to your target field, but in a different field.
"It's about giving yourself the space to say this is suitable temporarily, but that isn't the same as forever.
"That can be an intelligent tactic for moving much closer to a new career."
3. Acknowledge Your Achievements
Should you have recently lost your job, many are in the same boat – job cuts have increased significantly lately.
A former editor was the top editor for a fashion publication, but in 2022 she and her team lost their jobs when the firm closed the print version.
Understanding that this was not indicative of her performance allowed her to cope with the situation.
"What you've learned remains with you just because you were dismissed.
"Do not surrender your self-worth, it's important for everyone to recall their own worth."
Her colleague lost her job after a decade at a financial magazine due to leadership changes at the top and the appointment of new leadership.
She stresses that so much of the shame associated with being fired is self-imposed.
"Considering the vast numbers of people being laid off, it's usually not about you. Chances are not your fault, so don't carry that ball of shame forward."
4. Build a Professional Checklist
For those who are urgently looking for work or are utterly miserable at work, it can be tempting to dive straight into applying for any vacancy – disregarding what suits you.
Yet, this can be a major error.
Alternatively, she proposes an exercise called "scanning" – filtering opportunities to only job descriptions that seem appealing.
She recommends exploring sites like LinkedIn and saving around 10 to 15 that seem promising.
"Look for {the words|the
