We Got Dismissed, and We Accept It – Here's How to Land a New Job That Fits Your Needs
A new year's onset is often a moment for introspection, and for a lot of us, that encompasses thinking about our career trajectories.
Two publishing professionals who were made redundant from their roles after corporate restructures at first believed their world had ended.
"I invested my heart into the job... I had faith in the values we championed. Yet, when it came to me, those principles didn't apply," she remarks.
Both individuals opted to employ the word "dismissed" and believe that being open about it can help you handle it.
"There are countless euphemisms for losing a job. However, the quicker you own it, the faster you're truthful about it, the faster you can move on.
"That's the fast track to anything you want to pursue next," she adds.
Currently, they are excelling in different roles, with one leading her own firm and the other holding the position of lead editor for a luxury magazine.
Whether you've been made redundant or are just looking for a new career, consider these four approaches that can help.
1. Consider The Previous Year
It's common to have some unease regarding your job following time off.
A professional advisor stresses 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 which factors energizes or exhausts their energy.
Looking back at your achievements to find recurring patterns can also help. "Avoid considering only the last month, since everyone suffer from for recency bias that can impede clear thinking," she notes.
She also states it is important to decide the role of work plays in your life.
This requires being truthful about the amount of time you devote to work and the influence on your personal life.
After being let go, she recommends not allowing yourself be defined by your work.
2. Take Gradual Moves
The advisor states that individuals can implement small steps towards a career shift without a complete leap.
Her own journey took seven years to make the jump from a traditional job to managing her own company full-time, working on her project concurrently with her role, which meant self-funding from the start.
"It took a bit longer, but that was my approach sustainably," she comments.
She advocates for a "try before you buy" approach.
This could be pro bono work, participating in an initiative you find appealing, or accepting a new challenge at your present job.
"The worst outcome, you find out it's not a fit, but it's better to find out now rather than after you've switched careers," she adds.
She also advises considering short-term "bridging roles". They are perhaps not the perfect role, but they act as a move in the right direction, like a job that shares traits to your target field, though not in the exact industry or sector.
"It's about giving yourself the permission to say this is suitable temporarily, but that does not mean the same as forever.
"This is a clever strategy to get much closer to a desired transition."
3. Acknowledge Your Accomplishments
If you've recently been made redundant from your role, you are not the only one – redundancy rates have increased to high levels in recent times.
One professional was the top editor in a magazine, previously she and her team were laid off when the firm discontinued the physical magazine.
Recognizing that this situation did not reflect of her ability helped her cope with the situation.
"What you've learned doesn't disappear just because you were let go.
"Don't relinquish your self-worth, it's crucial for all individuals to remember their own value."
Her colleague was let go following a long tenure at a financial magazine after a change in senior ranks and the arrival of a different editor.
She notes that so much of the shame associated with being fired is self-imposed.
"Given that hundreds of thousands of people being laid off, it's not personal. It's likely very much not you, so refrain from bearing that burden of shame unnecessarily."
4. Create a Career Checklist
For those who are actively hunting for work or are deeply dissatisfied at work, you might be tempted to apply hastily for any job – ignoring your own happiness.
But this is a significant mistake.
Rather, she recommends an exercise called "browsing" – narrowing your search on position summaries that capture your interest.
She recommends searching job platforms and gathering a selection of that you like.
"Look for {the words|the
