We Were Let Go, and We're Embracing It – This Is How to Find a New Role That Works Your Needs
A new year's onset is frequently a time for reflection, and for a lot of us, that encompasses considering our work lives.
A pair of editors who were made redundant from their jobs after corporate restructures at first believed it was a disaster.
"I poured all my energy into the position... I trusted in the values we stood for. Yet, when it came to me, those principles were absent," one of them states.
The two opted to say "let go" and suggest that being open about what happened can assist you deal with the experience.
"People rely on countless alternative phrases for being dismissed. Yet, the sooner you accept it, the faster you're truthful regarding it, the faster you can progress.
"That is the quickest route to what you want to pursue next," she notes.
Today, they are thriving in new ventures, with one running her own firm and the other serving as top editor for a luxury magazine.
If you've been laid off or are simply considering a shift, here are four strategies that can help.
1. Contemplate Last Year
It's common to have some unease regarding your job post-festive period.
A career expert stresses the importance of introspection before starting the search for a new role.
She advises individuals to think about what they desire to increase, what to decrease, and the things that motivates or depletes their drive.
Reviewing your past successes to identify underlying threads is also beneficial. "Try to avoid considering only the last month, since everyone suffer from for recency bias that can hinder the process," she adds.
She also states it is vital to decide what place your job fits in your life.
This involves being truthful about how much time you devote to work and the influence on your social and family life.
Following her job loss, she recommends against letting your life be dictated by your work.
2. Make Incremental Actions
She notes that professionals can take gradual progress towards changing careers without committing fully.
Her own journey took seven years to transition from a corporate role to running a company completely, developing her project alongside her job, which allowed self-funding from the start.
"It took additional time, however, that was how I did it in a sustainable way," she comments.
She recommends a "try before you buy" strategy.
This might involve pro bono work, participating in an initiative that interests you, or accepting something different in your existing role.
"Worst case scenario, you learn that area isn't for you, but it's better to find out now than after you've committed fully," she remarks.
She also advises looking into temporary "stepping-stone" positions. These may not be the perfect role, yet they function as progress towards your goal, such as a role that shares traits to your desired career, though not in the exact industry or sector.
"It's about giving yourself the permission to accept this works for now, but that does not mean the same as forever.
"That represents a very smart strategy for moving nearer to that desired transition."
3. Recall Your Achievements
For anyone who has recently been made redundant from your position, you aren't alone – job cuts have increased markedly recently.
One professional was editor-in-chief in a magazine, but in 2022 her entire team lost their jobs following a decision to ceased print operations.
Understanding that this was not a reflection of her performance allowed her to cope with the situation.
"What you've learned doesn't go away just because you were dismissed.
"Do not surrender your power, it's important for all individuals to recall their own worth."
The other editor lost her job after ten years with a finance publication after a change in senior ranks and the appointment of a different editor.
She notes that much of the embarrassment of dismissal is internal.
"Given that hundreds of thousands of professionals losing jobs, it's usually not about you. It's likely very much not you, so refrain from bearing that ball of shame around with you."
4. Build a Job Search List
When you're actively hunting for a new job or feel profoundly unhappy in your current role, you might be tempted to jump at at any opportunity – overlooking your own happiness.
Yet, this can be a significant mistake.
Instead, she suggests a technique known as "scanning" – focusing your search on role profiles that sound interesting.
She suggests browsing job platforms and gathering around 10 to 15 that you like.
"Look for {the words|the
