We Got Fired, and We're Owning It – This Is How to Find a New Job That Suits Your Needs
The beginning of a new year is often a period for contemplation, and for many, that encompasses evaluating our career trajectories.
Two publishing professionals who lost their positions due to organizational changes initially felt it was catastrophic.
"I poured my heart into the position... I trusted in the values we stood for. Yet, when it came to me, those principles weren't there," she says.
The two opted to employ the word "fired" and suggest that being transparent about the situation can aid you process the experience.
"There are countless euphemisms for losing a job. But the faster you accept it, the faster you're candid regarding it, the quicker you can move on.
"That's the fast track to whatever you wish to pursue next," she notes.
Now, they are thriving in different roles, where one running her own media company and the other working as lead editor for a high-end journal.
Whether you've been laid off or are just looking for a new career, these are four strategies that can help.
1. Consider The Past Year
It's natural to have some unease about work after a holiday break.
A careers coach emphasizes the value of introspection before starting a new job search.
She suggests individuals to think about what they want to increase, what they want less of, and the things that energizes or exhausts them.
Examining your accomplishments to identify common themes is useful too. "Avoid considering only the last month, as people often have a tendency for recency bias that can obstruct your judgment," she notes.
Another professional notes it is vital to determine what place your job fits in your life.
This requires being truthful about how much time you devote to work and its impact on your social and social life.
After being let go, she recommends preventing your identity be dictated by your work.
2. Implement Small Steps
She states that individuals can take gradual progress for a career transition without a complete leap.
She required a long period to make the jump from a traditional job to operating her own business entirely, working on her idea while still employed, which meant she could pay herself.
"It needed more time, but that was the method I used without risk," she explains.
She advocates for a "try before you buy" strategy.
This might involve volunteer work, joining a professional project that interests you, or accepting a new challenge in your existing role.
"Worst case scenario, you learn it's not a fit, but it's better to know now instead of after you've committed fully," she adds.
She also encourages looking into interim roles. These might not be the perfect role, but they act as a move in the right direction, like a job with similarities to the career you want, but in a different field.
"It's about giving yourself the permission to say this is suitable temporarily, but that does not mean the same as forever.
"That can be a very smart approach for moving nearer to your new career."
3. Remember Your Successes
For anyone who has recently lost your role, many are in the same boat – job cuts have increased to high levels lately.
A former editor held a senior role in a magazine, but in 2022 she and her team were made redundant when the firm discontinued the physical magazine.
Realizing that this situation was not a reflection of her ability assisted her process the change.
"The skills you've gained doesn't disappear because you lost your job.
"Don't relinquish your power, it's vital for everybody to remember their own worth."
Her colleague was fired following a long tenure with a finance publication after a change at the top and the appointment of new leadership.
She notes that so much of the stigma associated with being fired is in your head.
"With many professionals losing jobs, it's usually not about you. It's likely not about you, so refrain from bearing that ball of shame unnecessarily."
4. Create a Career Checklist
If you're desperately seeking employment or are utterly miserable with your present job, you might be tempted to dive straight into applying for any vacancy – disregarding your own happiness.
But this is a big misstep.
Rather, she recommends a technique known as "scanning" – narrowing your search down to job descriptions that seem appealing.
She advises browsing professional networks and saving several that appeal to you.
"Look for {the words|the
