We Were Let Go, and We Accept It – This Is How to Find a New Job That Fits Your Needs
The beginning of a new year can be a time for reflection, and for numerous people, that involves thinking about our career trajectories.
A pair of editors who left their positions due to organizational changes at first believed it was a disaster.
"I invested my heart into that role... I believed in the ethos we championed. Yet, when it came to me, those principles weren't there," she states.
Both individuals decided to say "dismissed" and argue that being honest about what happened can help you deal with the event.
"People rely on countless soft terms for job loss. But the faster you accept it, the quicker you're candid regarding it, the quicker you can progress.
"That is the fast track to what you want to do next," she notes.
Currently, they are succeeding in new ventures, with one leading a media business and the other working as top editor at a prestigious publication.
For those who have been laid off or are considering a shift, these are four strategies that can help.
1. Consider The Past Year
It's natural to feel some apprehension regarding your job after a holiday break.
A career expert highlights the importance of looking back prior to launching a fresh job hunt.
She suggests professionals to evaluate what they desire to do more of, what to decrease, and what inspires or drains their energy.
Reviewing your achievements to identify recurring patterns is also beneficial. "Avoid considering only the most recent period, since everyone exhibit to focus on the recent that can obstruct clear thinking," she adds.
Another professional notes it is crucial to decide what place your job occupies in your life.
This means being candid about how much time you devote to work and the influence on your social and family life.
After her own experience, she suggests against letting yourself be dictated by your career.
2. Take Small Steps
She says people can take gradual progress for a career transition without a complete leap.
Her own journey required a long period to transition from her corporate career to running her own business completely, building her project alongside her job, which meant self-funding from the start.
"It took additional time, but that represented my approach without risk," she explains.
She recommends a test-run approach.
This can include volunteering, getting involved in a work project you find appealing, or saying yes to something different within your current team.
"Worst case scenario, you learn it's not a fit, but it's better to know now than after you've committed fully," she states.
She also encourages looking into temporary "stepping-stone" positions. These might not be the perfect role, but they serve as a step towards your goal, for example a position with parallels to the career you want, though not in the exact field.
"It's about allowing yourself the leeway to say this is good for now, but that does not mean permanent.
"That can be an intelligent tactic to get nearer to a new career."
3. Acknowledge Your Achievements
If you've recently lost your role, many are in the same boat – layoff figures have risen to high levels in recent times.
A former editor held a senior role at a style magazine, previously she and her team were made redundant following a decision to discontinued the physical magazine.
Realizing that this situation was not indicative of her performance assisted her cope with the situation.
"What you've learned doesn't disappear simply due to were dismissed.
"Do not surrender your confidence, it's vital for everyone to recall their own value."
Her colleague was fired after a decade in a business journal due to leadership changes in senior ranks and the hiring of a different editor.
She notes that so much of the embarrassment of job loss is self-imposed.
"Given that hundreds of thousands of professionals losing jobs, it's not personal. It's likely very much not you, so refrain from bearing that feeling forward."
4. Develop a Professional Checklist
For those who are urgently looking for a new job or feel profoundly unhappy in your current role, you might be tempted to dive straight into applying for any vacancy – disregarding what suits you.
Yet, this can be a big misstep.
Rather, she recommends an exercise called "scanning" – narrowing your search on position summaries that sound interesting.
She recommends searching job platforms and collecting several that you like.
"Look for {the words|the