We Got Fired, and We're Owning It – This Is How to Secure a New Role That Fits You Personally
The beginning of a new year is frequently a time for reflection, and for many, that encompasses evaluating our professional paths.
Two editors who left their roles following company reorganizations initially felt their world had ended.
"I invested all my energy into the position... I had faith in the principles we stood for. However, regarding my situation, those principles weren't there," one of them states.
They both opted to say "fired" and suggest that being honest about the situation can assist you deal with the event.
"People rely on so many alternative phrases for being dismissed. However, the quicker you acknowledge it, the sooner you're candid regarding it, the sooner you can progress.
"That is the direct path to what you want to do next," she continues.
Now, they are thriving in different roles, where one running a media business and another working as top editor at a prestigious publication.
If you've been laid off or are considering a shift, consider these four strategies for guidance.
1. Consider The Past Year
It's common to feel some unease concerning your career post-festive period.
A careers coach emphasizes the value of looking back before starting the search for a new role.
She encourages people to consider what they want to increase, what they want less of, and what energizes or exhausts them.
Looking back at your accomplishments to identify common themes is useful too. "Try not to focusing solely on the last month, since everyone have a tendency to focus on the recent that can hinder the process," she states.
A former editor states it is important to determine what place your job fits in your life.
This means being honest about the amount of time you devote to work and the influence on your personal life.
Following her job loss, she recommends preventing your life be dictated by your work.
2. Make Small Steps
She notes that professionals can take incremental moves for a career transition without diving in headfirst.
Her own journey required a long period to make the jump from a traditional job to managing a company entirely, developing the venture concurrently with her role, which enabled she could pay herself.
"It required a bit longer, but that was my approach in a sustainable way," she says.
She recommends an experimental strategy.
This can include pro bono work, participating in a work project that captures your interest, or saying yes to a new challenge in your existing role.
"The worst outcome, you discover you don't like, however, it's wiser to know now instead of after you've switched careers," she remarks.
Additionally, she suggests looking into short-term "bridging roles". These may not be the perfect role, but they serve as a move towards your goal, such as a role that shares traits to the career you want, but in a different field.
"It's about allowing yourself the permission to say this is good for now, but that isn't permanent.
"This is an intelligent strategy for getting much closer to a new career."
3. Acknowledge Your Successes
If you've just left your job, you are not the only one – redundancy rates have risen significantly in recent times.
A former editor held a senior role for a fashion publication, but in 2022 her entire team lost their jobs when the firm ceased print operations.
Realizing that this was not indicative of her performance helped her handle the transition.
"Your experience doesn't disappear just because you were let go.
"Don't give up your confidence, it's crucial for everybody to remember their intrinsic value."
Her colleague was let go after ten years in a business journal after a change in management and the hiring of new leadership.
She emphasizes that a lot of the embarrassment associated with being fired is internal.
"Given that hundreds of thousands of professionals losing jobs, it's usually not about you. It's probably not your fault, so avoid carrying that feeling around with you."
4. Build a Job Search List
When you're desperately seeking employment or are profoundly unhappy at work, you might be tempted to dive straight into applying at any opportunity – ignoring your own happiness.
However, this represents a big misstep.
Alternatively, she proposes a method called "scanning" – filtering opportunities on job descriptions that sound interesting.
She recommends exploring sites like LinkedIn and gathering a selection of that seem promising.
"Look for {the words|the
