We Were Dismissed, and We're Owning It – Learn How to Land a Fresh Position That Works Your Needs
The beginning of a new year is frequently a period for contemplation, and for many, that encompasses thinking about our career trajectories.
A pair of editors who were made redundant from their roles after corporate restructures initially felt their world had ended.
"I invested everything into the position... I trusted in the ethos we promoted. But in my case, that ethos were absent," one of them says.
They both decided to say "fired" and suggest that being transparent about it can assist you process it.
"People rely on numerous soft terms for being dismissed. Yet, the sooner you accept it, the faster you're candid regarding it, the sooner you can progress.
"That's the direct path to anything you wish to pursue next," she adds.
Today, they are succeeding in different roles, where one leading her own media company and the other serving as lead editor at a prestigious publication.
If you've been made redundant or are simply contemplating a change, these are four methods for guidance.
1. Consider Last Year
It's typical to have a bit low concerning your career after a holiday break.
A career expert highlights the necessity of introspection prior to launching a new job search.
She advises professionals to evaluate what they wish to increase, what to decrease, and the things that inspires or drains their drive.
Reviewing your accomplishments to identify common themes is also beneficial. "Try to avoid just looking at the last month, because we all suffer from for recency bias that can impede the process," she notes.
She also states it is vital to determine where your work occupies in your life.
This involves being honest about how much time you're working and its effect on your social life.
Following her job loss, she suggests not allowing your life be shaped solely by your work.
2. Take Small Steps
The expert states that individuals can take gradual progress for a career transition without a complete leap.
She required a long period to transition from a corporate role to operating her own company completely, developing her idea while still employed, which meant self-funding from the start.
"It required a bit longer, but that represented the method I used sustainably," she comments.
She recommends a "try before you buy" method.
This could be volunteering, joining a work project you find appealing, or agreeing to something different at your present job.
"Worst case scenario, you learn it's not a fit, but it's better to find out now instead of after you've made the move," she states.
She also advises considering temporary "stepping-stone" positions. They are perhaps not the perfect role, but they serve as a step forward, like a job with similarities to the career you want, yet not in the same industry or sector.
"It's about giving yourself the permission to acknowledge this is suitable temporarily, but that does not mean for all time.
"That can be an intelligent strategy for moving closer to that desired transition."
3. Remember Your Successes
If you've recently been made redundant from your job, many are in the same boat – job cuts have increased significantly in recent times.
A former editor was the top editor at a style magazine, but a few years ago her entire team were made redundant following a decision to ceased print operations.
Understanding that this was not a reflection of her performance allowed her to cope with the situation.
"The skills you've gained doesn't disappear simply due to were let go.
"Don't give up your power, it's vital for everybody to recognize their own worth."
Her colleague was fired after ten years at a financial magazine following a regime change in senior ranks and the arrival of new leadership.
She notes that a lot of the embarrassment of dismissal is internal.
"Considering the vast numbers of professionals losing jobs, it's usually not about you. It's probably not your fault, so don't carry that ball of shame forward."
4. Build a Job Search List
When you're desperately seeking employment or are utterly miserable in your current role, you might be tempted to dive straight into applying for any job – ignoring your own happiness.
Yet, this can be a major error.
Rather, she recommends an exercise called "reviewing" – filtering opportunities to only job descriptions that sound interesting.
She advises searching professional networks and collecting a selection of that you like.
"Look for {the words|the