We Were Fired, and We're Embracing It – Here's How to Secure a New Role That Works for You
The beginning of a new year can be a time for reflection, and for numerous people, that involves considering our career trajectories.
A pair of editors who were made redundant from their positions following company reorganizations originally thought it was catastrophic.
"I invested all my energy into the position... I had faith in the principles we championed. However, regarding my situation, those principles weren't there," a former editor states.
The two decided to say "fired" and suggest that being honest about the situation can help you deal with it.
"There are so many soft terms for job loss. But the faster you accept it, the faster you're candid about it, the faster you can advance.
"That's the direct path to whatever you wish next," she adds.
Now, they are succeeding in new ventures, where one leading a media business and another working as lead editor for a high-end journal.
If you've been laid off or are just considering a shift, here are four methods for guidance.
1. Consider Last Year
It's typical to feel a bit low about work after a holiday break.
A careers coach stresses the necessity of reflection before embarking on a fresh job hunt.
She encourages professionals to evaluate what they desire to pursue more, what to reduce, and which factors motivates or depletes their energy.
Reviewing your achievements to spot underlying threads is also beneficial. "Avoid focusing solely on the most recent period, since everyone suffer from for recency bias that can hinder clear thinking," she notes.
She also says it is important to establish the role of work plays in your life.
This involves being truthful regarding the hours you spend working and its effect on your family life.
After her own experience, she recommends preventing your life be dictated by your job.
2. Take Small Steps
She says people can implement incremental moves for a career transition without committing fully.
She required a long period to transition from a corporate role to running a company full-time, working on her idea concurrently with her role, which allowed financial stability.
"It took a bit longer, but that was my approach in a sustainable way," she says.
She suggests a test-run strategy.
This might involve pro bono work, getting involved in an initiative you find appealing, or accepting something different at your present job.
"Worst case scenario, you find out it's not a fit, but it's better to know now rather than after you've switched careers," she states.
She also encourages looking into interim roles. These may not be the perfect role, but they serve as progress towards your goal, for example a position with similarities to the career you want, yet not in the same industry or sector.
"It involves giving yourself the leeway to say this is good for now, however, that is not for all time.
"This is a very smart approach for moving nearer to your career change."
3. Acknowledge Your Accomplishments
Should you have just left your job, you are not the only one – redundancy rates have risen to high levels in recent times.
A former editor was editor-in-chief in a magazine, but a few years ago she lost their jobs after the company discontinued the physical magazine.
Recognizing that this event was not a reflection of her performance assisted her cope with the situation.
"Your experience doesn't go away just because you lost your job.
"Don't give up your self-worth, it's vital for everybody to recognize their own worth."
The other editor lost her job following a long tenure with a finance publication following a regime change at the top and the arrival of new leadership.
She stresses that a lot of the stigma of dismissal is internal.
"With many people being laid off, it's rarely personal. Chances are not your fault, so don't carry that burden of shame forward."
4. Develop a Job Search List
When you're desperately seeking a new job or feel deeply dissatisfied in your current role, it can be tempting to jump at for any job – overlooking personal fulfillment.
Yet, this can be a major error.
Alternatively, she proposes a method called "reviewing" – narrowing your search to only job descriptions that sound interesting.
She advises browsing professional networks and saving a selection of that seem promising.
"Look for {the words|the
