We Were Let Go, and We're Embracing It – Here's How to Land a New Role That Suits You Personally
The beginning of a new year is often a time for reflection, and for many, that encompasses thinking about our work lives.
A pair of editors who were made redundant from their positions following company reorganizations at first believed it was catastrophic.
"I poured everything into the job... I had faith in the ethos we championed. But in my case, those principles were absent," a former editor states.
The two opted to say "dismissed" and suggest that being transparent about it can aid you process the experience.
"We use countless alternative phrases for job loss. Yet, the sooner you accept it, the faster you're honest about it, the faster you can progress.
"It's the quickest route to whatever you desire next," she notes.
Today, they are thriving in different roles, where one owning a media business and another serving as lead editor at a prestigious publication.
For those who have lost your job or are just contemplating a change, here are four methods that can help.
1. Consider The Past Year
It's common to feel some apprehension regarding your job following time off.
A careers coach highlights the importance of looking back prior to launching the search for a new role.
She suggests professionals to evaluate what they desire to do more of, what they want less of, and the things that energizes or exhausts their drive.
Examining your accomplishments to identify common themes is also beneficial. "Try to avoid just looking at the last month, since everyone have a tendency for recent-event bias that can impede your judgment," she notes.
Another professional says it is important to establish where your work fits in your life.
This means being candid about the amount of time you spend working and the influence on your social and social life.
After her own experience, she recommends not allowing your life be defined by your work.
2. Make Gradual Moves
The expert says people can take small steps towards a career shift without a complete leap.
Her own journey took seven years to transition from a traditional job to managing her own company completely, building the venture while still employed, which enabled self-funding from the start.
"It required additional time, but that represented how I did it in a sustainable way," she says.
She advocates for a "try before you buy" method.
This could be volunteering, participating in a professional project that interests you, or agreeing to something different within your current team.
"Worst case scenario, you find out you don't like, but it's better to find out now instead of after you've made the move," she remarks.
Additionally, she suggests exploring short-term "bridging roles". These may not be the ideal job, but they serve as a step towards your goal, for example a position with parallels to the career you want, though not in the exact field.
"It involves granting yourself the space to acknowledge this is suitable temporarily, however, that is not for all time.
"This is a clever strategy for getting much closer to that career change."
3. Remember Your Successes
Should you have recently lost your job, you are not the only one – layoff figures have surged to high levels in recent times.
A former editor held a senior role at a style magazine, but a few years ago she were laid off after the company ceased print operations.
Recognizing that this situation did not reflect of her skills assisted her cope with the situation.
"Your experience doesn't disappear just because you were dismissed.
"Don't give up your confidence, it's vital for everybody to remember their own value."
Her colleague was let go after a decade in a business journal after a change at the top and the hiring of a new editor.
She emphasizes that so much of the embarrassment of job loss is internal.
"Considering the vast numbers of professionals losing jobs, it's usually not about you. It's probably not about you, so don't carry that feeling around with you."
4. Create a Job Search List
When you're urgently looking for work or are profoundly unhappy with your present job, it can be tempting to apply hastily for any vacancy – ignoring your own happiness.
Yet, this can be a major error.
Alternatively, she proposes an exercise called "scanning" – filtering opportunities to only position summaries that capture your interest.
She suggests browsing professional networks and gathering around 10 to 15 that you like.
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