We Were Dismissed, and We're Embracing It – This Is How to Find a New Job That Suits You Personally
A new year's onset can be a time for reflection, and for a lot of us, that involves evaluating our professional paths.
A pair of editors who lost their roles following company reorganizations initially felt it was catastrophic.
"I poured my heart into the job... I had faith in the ethos we promoted. However, regarding my situation, those values weren't there," one of them says.
They both decided to use the term "dismissed" and argue that being transparent about the situation can assist you process the experience.
"We use so many alternative phrases for losing a job. However, the quicker you own it, the sooner you're candid about it, the quicker you can move on.
"It's the quickest route to whatever you desire to do next," she adds.
Currently, they are thriving in new positions, where one leading her own firm and another serving as top editor for a high-end journal.
If you've been made redundant or are just contemplating a change, consider these four methods that can help.
1. Consider The Past Year
It's common to feel some apprehension regarding your job after a holiday break.
A career expert emphasizes the value of reflection before starting a new job search.
She encourages individuals to think about what they want to increase, what to decrease, and what energizes or exhausts them.
Looking back at your accomplishments to identify underlying threads is also beneficial. "Try to avoid focusing solely on the recent past, since everyone suffer from to focus on the recent that can hinder your judgment," she notes.
A former editor states it is crucial to decide the role of work fits in your life.
This involves being truthful about how much time you're working and its effect on your family and social life.
Following her job loss, she suggests against letting yourself be defined by your job.
2. Implement Incremental Actions
The advisor says people can implement incremental moves towards a career shift without committing fully.
She took seven years to make the jump from a corporate role to managing her own business completely, working on her project alongside her job, which meant self-funding from the start.
"It took additional time, but that was how I did it without risk," she comments.
She advocates for a test-run approach.
This can include pro bono work, getting involved in a professional project that interests you, or saying yes to something different within your current team.
"Worst case scenario, you learn that area isn't for you, however, it's wiser to learn now instead of after you've committed fully," she states.
Additionally, she suggests exploring interim roles. These may not be the ideal job, but they act as progress in the right direction, such as a role with parallels to the career you want, though not in the exact industry or sector.
"It's about granting yourself the leeway to say this works for now, however, that is not the same as forever.
"That represents a very smart approach to get much closer to a new career."
3. Remember Your Accomplishments
Should you have recently lost your role, you are not the only one – layoff figures have increased markedly in recent times.
One professional was editor-in-chief in a magazine, but in 2022 she and her team lost their jobs when the firm ceased print operations.
Understanding that this situation was not a reflection of her ability allowed her to cope with the situation.
"Your experience remains with you just because you lost your job.
"Do not surrender your confidence, it's vital for everyone to recognize their intrinsic value."
Her colleague was fired after a decade at a financial magazine after a change at the top and the arrival of new leadership.
She notes that much of the shame associated with being fired is self-imposed.
"With many professionals losing jobs, it's rarely personal. It's likely very much not you, so don't carry that ball of shame forward."
4. Build a Job Search List
For those who are actively hunting for a new job or feel deeply dissatisfied with your present job, you might be tempted to apply hastily for any job – ignoring personal fulfillment.
Yet, this can be a significant mistake.
Alternatively, she proposes a method called "browsing" – focusing your search down to job descriptions that capture your interest.
She suggests exploring job platforms and gathering around 10 to 15 that seem promising.
"Look for {the words|the
