We Were Let Go, and We're Owning It – This Is How to Land a New Role That Works You Personally
A new year's onset is often a time for reflection, and for many, that encompasses thinking about our career trajectories.
Two editors who were made redundant from their positions following company reorganizations at first believed their world had ended.
"I dedicated everything into that role... I had faith in the ethos we championed. However, regarding my situation, those principles were absent," a former editor remarks.
The two decided to say "let go" and believe that being transparent about the situation can assist you handle the experience.
"We use countless euphemisms for losing a job. But the faster you acknowledge it, the sooner you're truthful regarding it, the sooner you can advance.
"That's the direct path to anything you wish to do next," she notes.
Currently, they are succeeding in new ventures, with one leading a media business and the other serving as editor-in-chief for a high-end journal.
If you've been made redundant or are looking for a new career, here are four methods to assist you.
1. Reflect On The Previous Year
It's natural to have some apprehension about work after a holiday break.
A careers coach stresses the necessity of introspection before starting a fresh job hunt.
She suggests professionals to evaluate what they want to pursue more, what to decrease, and the things that motivates or depletes them.
Reviewing your achievements to spot recurring patterns is also beneficial. "Try to avoid considering only the last month, as people often have a tendency to focus on the recent that can obstruct your judgment," she states.
She also says it is vital to decide the role of work plays in your life.
This means being truthful regarding the hours you spend working and its impact on your family and social life.
Following her job loss, she recommends against letting your life be dictated by your job.
2. Take Incremental Actions
The advisor says people can take small steps towards a career shift without a complete leap.
She took seven years to transition from a corporate role to operating her own company entirely, developing the venture concurrently with her role, which enabled self-funding from the start.
"It needed more time, but that was my approach without risk," she explains.
She suggests a "try before you buy" strategy.
This might involve volunteering, participating in a professional project that interests you, or accepting a different task in your existing role.
"Worst case scenario, you discover you don't like, but it's better to find out now instead of after you've switched careers," she states.
She also advises considering interim roles. They are perhaps not the ideal job, but they act as a move towards your goal, like a job that shares traits to your desired career, though not in the exact industry or sector.
"It's about giving yourself the leeway to acknowledge this is suitable temporarily, but that does not mean for all time.
"This is an intelligent tactic for getting closer to a desired transition."
3. Acknowledge Your Successes
For anyone who has recently lost your position, many are in the same boat – job cuts have increased to high levels lately.
A former editor held a senior role in a magazine, but in 2022 she were laid off following a decision to closed the print version.
Recognizing that this event was not a reflection of her performance helped her cope with the situation.
"Your experience remains with you simply due to lost your job.
"Don't give up your self-worth, it's important for everybody to recall their intrinsic value."
Another professional was fired following a long tenure in a business journal following a regime change at the top and the appointment of new leadership.
She emphasizes that much of the stigma associated with being fired is in your head.
"Given that hundreds of thousands of individuals facing redundancy, it's not personal. It's likely not about you, so refrain from bearing that feeling unnecessarily."
4. Create a Job Search List
For those who are desperately seeking a new job or feel deeply dissatisfied in your current role, 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 "reviewing" – filtering opportunities down to job descriptions that seem appealing.
She suggests browsing professional networks and saving around 10 to 15 that you like.
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