We Were Let Go, and We Accept It – Learn How to Land a New Job That Works You Personally
The start of a new year is frequently a moment for introspection, and for many, that encompasses considering our career trajectories.
Two publishing professionals who left their jobs following company reorganizations at first believed their world had ended.
"I poured all my energy into the job... I had faith in the values we promoted. Yet, when it came to me, that ethos were absent," one of them states.
The two decided to employ the word "let go" and argue that being open about what happened can help you deal with the experience.
"People rely on so many soft terms for job loss. However, the quicker you accept it, the faster you're honest about it, the quicker you can advance.
"It's the direct path to whatever you desire next," she adds.
Today, they are excelling in new positions, with one leading a media business and the other working as editor-in-chief for a luxury magazine.
For those who have been made redundant or are contemplating a change, these are four strategies that can help.
1. Reflect On The Previous Year
It's common to experience some unease regarding your job post-festive period.
A professional advisor emphasizes the necessity of introspection before starting a fresh job hunt.
She advises individuals to think about what they wish to do more of, what to reduce, and which factors energizes or exhausts their drive.
Reviewing your past successes to find recurring patterns is also beneficial. "Avoid just looking at the most recent period, because we all suffer from for recent-event bias that can obstruct the process," she notes.
She also states it is important to decide the role of work occupies in your life.
This involves being candid about the amount of time you spend working and its effect on your personal and family life.
After being let go, she recommends not allowing yourself be shaped solely by your work.
2. Make Gradual Moves
The advisor says people can implement incremental moves towards changing careers without a complete leap.
She took several years to make the jump from a traditional job to managing her own business entirely, working on her project while still employed, which allowed self-funding from the start.
"It needed a bit longer, but that was how I did it in a sustainable way," she explains.
She advocates for a test-run strategy.
This could be volunteering, participating in a work project that interests you, or agreeing to something different in your existing role.
"If it fails, you find out it's not a fit, however, it's wiser to learn now instead of after you've committed fully," she states.
She also encourages considering short-term "bridging roles". They are perhaps not the perfect role, yet they function as progress forward, such as a role with similarities to your target field, but in a different industry or sector.
"It involves granting yourself the permission to accept this is good for now, but that does not mean the same as forever.
"That represents a very smart strategy for moving much closer to your career change."
3. Acknowledge Your Achievements
If you've recently lost your job, many are in the same boat – job cuts have surged to high levels lately.
A former editor was the top editor in a magazine, previously she and her team were laid off when the firm ceased print operations.
Recognizing that this situation was not indicative of her ability assisted her handle the transition.
"The skills you've gained doesn't go away because you were dismissed.
"Don't relinquish your confidence, it's important for everybody to recognize their own worth."
The other editor was fired following a long tenure with a finance publication due to leadership changes in senior ranks and the appointment of new leadership.
She stresses that a lot of the shame of dismissal is in your head.
"With many individuals facing redundancy, it's rarely personal. Chances are not about you, so refrain from bearing that feeling around with you."
4. Develop a Job Search List
For those who are desperately seeking work or are utterly miserable in your current role, it can be tempting to apply hastily at any opportunity – overlooking what suits you.
However, this represents a significant mistake.
Rather, she recommends an exercise called "reviewing" – focusing your search down to role profiles that seem appealing.
She suggests searching job platforms and saving around 10 to 15 that appeal to you.
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