We Were Fired, and We're Owning It – Learn How to Secure a New Job That Works You Personally
The start of a new year is often a period for contemplation, and for a lot of us, that involves thinking about our professional paths.
A pair of editors who left their jobs after corporate restructures initially felt it was a disaster.
"I invested everything into that role... I had faith in the values we promoted. But in my case, those principles didn't apply," a former editor remarks.
They both decided to use the term "let go" and argue that being transparent about what happened can assist you deal with it.
"There are countless soft terms for job loss. However, the quicker you own it, the sooner you're candid about it, the sooner you can move on.
"That is the fast track to whatever you desire to do next," she adds.
Currently, they are succeeding in new positions, where one leading her own media company and the other holding the position of top editor for a high-end journal.
Whether you've been made redundant or are considering a shift, consider these four methods for guidance.
1. Contemplate The Previous Year
It's common to experience a bit low regarding your job after a holiday break.
A careers coach emphasizes the importance of looking back prior to launching the search for a new role.
She suggests people to consider what they desire to increase, what they want less of, and what motivates or depletes them.
Looking back at your achievements to find recurring patterns can also help. "Try not to focusing solely on the most recent period, since everyone have a tendency to focus on the recent that can obstruct your judgment," she adds.
She also says it is vital to decide where your work plays in your life.
This means being truthful about how much time you devote to work and its effect on your family and social life.
Following her job loss, she suggests against letting yourself be dictated by your career.
2. Make Gradual Moves
She states that individuals can make small steps towards a career shift without a complete leap.
She herself required a long period to make the jump from a corporate role to managing a company full-time, building her project alongside her job, which allowed self-funding from the start.
"It required additional time, but that represented my approach in a sustainable way," she says.
She suggests an experimental method.
This could be volunteering, participating in an initiative that interests you, or saying yes to a new challenge within your current team.
"If it fails, you find out you don't like, however, it's wiser to learn now instead of after you've committed fully," she states.
She also encourages looking into short-term "bridging roles". They are perhaps not the ideal job, but they act as a step towards your goal, such as a role with similarities to your target field, but in a different industry or sector.
"It involves allowing yourself the permission to say this is suitable temporarily, but that isn't for all time.
"This is a clever strategy for getting much closer to a new career."
3. Recall Your Accomplishments
If you've recently been made redundant from your position, you aren't alone – redundancy rates have increased markedly recently.
A former editor was the top editor at a style magazine, previously she and her team lost their jobs when the firm discontinued the physical magazine.
Understanding that this event did not reflect of her ability allowed her to process the change.
"What you've learned doesn't go away simply due to were let go.
"Don't give up your confidence, it's important for everybody to remember their intrinsic value."
Another professional was let go after ten years in a business journal due to leadership changes in management and the appointment of new leadership.
She stresses that much of the stigma of dismissal is internal.
"With many professionals losing jobs, it's rarely personal. Chances are not your fault, so don't carry that ball of shame around with you."
4. Develop a Professional Checklist
If you're desperately seeking work or are profoundly unhappy at work, the temptation is to dive straight into applying for any job – ignoring your own happiness.
However, this represents a big misstep.
Alternatively, she proposes a technique known as "reviewing" – narrowing your search down to position summaries that sound interesting.
She advises browsing job platforms and saving a selection of that appeal to you.
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