We Got Fired, and We're Owning It – This Is How to Find a New Role That Fits You Personally
The start of a new year can be a moment for introspection, and for numerous people, that involves thinking about our career trajectories.
Two publishing professionals who lost their roles following company reorganizations initially felt it was catastrophic.
"I invested everything into the job... I trusted in the values we stood for. Yet, when it came to me, those principles weren't there," she says.
They both opted to use the term "fired" and believe that being transparent about the situation can assist you process the experience.
"We use numerous alternative phrases for losing a job. Yet, the sooner you acknowledge it, the quicker you're honest about it, the quicker you can move on.
"It's the direct path to anything you want next," she continues.
Today, they are excelling in new ventures, where one running her own firm and the other holding the position of editor-in-chief at a prestigious publication.
Whether you've lost your job or are contemplating a change, here are four methods that can help.
1. Consider The Past Year
It's common to have some apprehension concerning your career post-festive period.
A professional advisor stresses the importance of introspection before embarking on the search for a new role.
She advises individuals to think about what they want to do more of, what to reduce, and which factors motivates or depletes their drive.
Looking back at your past successes to spot underlying threads is useful too. "Avoid just looking at the most recent period, as people often exhibit for recency bias that can obstruct your judgment," she states.
Another professional says it is important to establish what place your job plays in your life.
This requires being honest about the amount of time you spend working and its impact on your social and family life.
After her own experience, she suggests preventing your identity be defined by your career.
2. Take Gradual Moves
The advisor states that individuals can implement small steps for a career transition without a complete leap.
Her own journey required a long period to transition from her corporate career to running her own company entirely, developing her idea concurrently with her role, which enabled self-funding from the start.
"It required additional time, but that was my approach sustainably," she says.
She advocates for a test-run approach.
This might involve volunteering, getting involved in a professional project that interests you, or accepting a new challenge within your current team.
"The worst outcome, you learn it's not a fit, but it's better to find out now rather than after you've switched careers," she remarks.
She also encourages looking into interim roles. They are perhaps not the dream position, but they serve as progress towards your goal, for example a position that shares traits to your desired career, but in a different area.
"It's about giving yourself the space to accept this is good for now, but that isn't the same as forever.
"That represents a very smart approach to get closer to your career change."
3. Remember Your Accomplishments
For anyone who has recently lost your job, you are not the only one – redundancy rates have risen markedly recently.
One professional was the top editor at a style magazine, but in 2022 she and her team were made redundant following a decision to ceased print operations.
Realizing that this situation was not a reflection of her ability allowed her to handle the transition.
"The skills you've gained doesn't go away because you were dismissed.
"Don't relinquish your self-worth, it's crucial for everyone to recall their own value."
The other editor was let go after a decade in a business journal due to leadership changes in senior ranks and the hiring of new leadership.
She stresses that much of the shame of dismissal is internal.
"Considering the vast numbers of individuals facing redundancy, it's usually not about you. It's probably not about you, so avoid carrying that feeling unnecessarily."
4. Create a Career Checklist
If you're urgently looking for work or are utterly miserable with your present job, it can be tempting to jump at for any job – ignoring what suits you.
Yet, this can be a big misstep.
Alternatively, she proposes an exercise called "scanning" – narrowing your search to only position summaries that sound interesting.
She suggests exploring sites like LinkedIn and gathering a selection of that you like.
"Look for {the words|the
