We Got Let Go, and We're Owning It – Here's How to Land a New Role That Suits You Personally
The start of a new year is frequently a period for contemplation, and for a lot of us, that involves thinking about our career trajectories.
Two publishing professionals who left their jobs due to organizational changes originally thought it was catastrophic.
"I dedicated my heart into that role... I believed in the ethos we promoted. But in my case, that ethos didn't apply," she says.
Both individuals chose to employ the word "dismissed" and believe that being transparent about what happened can assist you handle the event.
"People rely on countless alternative phrases for being dismissed. However, the quicker you acknowledge it, the quicker you're truthful about it, the sooner you can progress.
"That's the fast track to what you wish to do next," she adds.
Today, they are thriving in different roles, with one running her own firm and another working as lead editor for a high-end journal.
If you've been laid off or are just considering a shift, these are four strategies for guidance.
1. Contemplate The Past Year
It's common to experience some unease about work post-festive period.
A professional advisor stresses the importance of introspection before embarking on the search for a new role.
She suggests people to consider what they desire to do more of, what they want less of, and what energizes or exhausts them.
Looking back at your accomplishments to spot recurring patterns can also help. "Avoid considering only the recent past, because we all have a tendency for recent-event bias that can obstruct clear thinking," she adds.
A former editor notes it is crucial to decide the role of work plays in your life.
This requires being honest about the amount of time you spend working and its effect on your personal and family life.
Following her job loss, she suggests not allowing your life be dictated by your job.
2. Make Small Steps
The expert says people can make gradual progress for a career transition without committing fully.
She herself took seven years to move from a traditional job to running a company full-time, working on her project alongside her job, which enabled she could pay herself.
"It needed more time, however, that was my approach sustainably," she explains.
She recommends a test-run approach.
This might involve volunteering, getting involved in a work project that interests you, or saying yes to a different task within your current team.
"If it fails, you discover it's not a fit, but it's better to learn now instead of after you've switched careers," she adds.
Additionally, she suggests exploring interim roles. They are perhaps not the perfect role, yet they function as progress forward, such as a role with similarities to your target field, yet not in the same area.
"It means giving yourself the permission to accept this is suitable temporarily, but that isn't the same as forever.
"This is a clever strategy to get much closer to a new career."
3. Acknowledge Your Successes
Should you have recently lost your role, many are in the same boat – job cuts have increased markedly lately.
She was editor-in-chief at a style magazine, but in 2022 she lost their jobs after the company discontinued the physical magazine.
Understanding that this event was not indicative of her ability allowed her to handle the transition.
"Your experience remains with you just because you lost your job.
"Don't give up your self-worth, it's important for all individuals to recognize their intrinsic value."
Another professional was let go after a decade at a financial magazine following a regime change in management and the appointment of new leadership.
She stresses that a lot of the shame of dismissal is internal.
"Considering the vast numbers of individuals facing redundancy, it's not personal. It's probably not about you, so don't carry that ball of shame unnecessarily."
4. Build a Job Search List
For those who are desperately seeking employment or are profoundly unhappy in your current role, you might be tempted to dive straight into applying for any job – ignoring what suits you.
However, this represents a big misstep.
Alternatively, she proposes a technique known as "browsing" – filtering opportunities down to role profiles that sound interesting.
She recommends searching sites like LinkedIn and collecting several that seem promising.
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