We Were Dismissed, and We're Owning It – Here's How to Land a Fresh Position That Fits You Personally

Two women discussing career transitions
Experts discuss their path after job loss in a new book.

A new year's onset can be a period for contemplation, and for numerous people, that includes considering our work lives.

Two editors who were made redundant from their jobs after corporate restructures initially felt it was catastrophic.

"I dedicated all my energy into the job... I believed in the values we promoted. Yet, when it came to me, those principles weren't there," one of them states.

They both opted to use the term "fired" and believe that being honest about the situation can help you deal with the experience.

"People rely on so many soft terms for losing a job. But the faster you accept it, the sooner you're truthful regarding it, the quicker you can move on.

"That is the fast track to whatever you desire next," she adds.

Currently, they are thriving in new positions, with one owning a media business and the other serving as lead editor for a high-end journal.

Whether you've been made redundant or are contemplating a change, here are four methods that can help.

1. Reflect On The Previous Year

Individual reflecting about work

It's common to have a bit low concerning your career post-festive period.

A professional advisor emphasizes the necessity of introspection prior to launching a fresh job hunt.

She encourages people to consider what they wish to pursue more, what to decrease, and what inspires or drains their drive.

Examining your accomplishments to spot underlying threads can also help. "Try to avoid considering only the recent past, as people often suffer from to focus on the recent that can hinder your judgment," she adds.

A former editor states it is important to establish where your work plays in your life.

This requires being honest about the amount of time you spend working and its effect on your personal life.

After being let go, she recommends preventing yourself be dictated by your career.

2. Take Incremental Actions

Person taking gradual progress

The expert notes that professionals can make gradual progress towards changing careers without committing fully.

Her own journey took several years to transition from a traditional job to running a company entirely, building her project alongside her job, which enabled financial stability.

"It required additional time, however, that was how I did it without risk," she comments.

She recommends an experimental strategy.

This might involve volunteer work, participating in a work project that captures your interest, or accepting a different task in your existing role.

"If it fails, you find out that area isn't for you, but it's better to find out now instead of after you've switched careers," she states.

She also advises exploring interim roles. These might not be the dream position, but they act as a move in the right direction, like a job with parallels to your desired career, yet not in the same area.

"It's about allowing yourself the permission to say this is suitable temporarily, however, that is not for all time.

"This is a clever strategy for getting nearer to your new career."

3. Acknowledge Your Achievements

List of achievements

If you've recently lost your position, many are in the same boat – job cuts have risen significantly in recent times.

A former editor was editor-in-chief in a magazine, but a few years ago she were laid off when the firm ceased print operations.

Recognizing that this was not indicative of her performance helped her handle the transition.

"The skills you've gained doesn't disappear because you were let go.

"Do not surrender your self-worth, it's important for everybody to recall their own value."

Another professional was let go after ten years in a business journal after a change in management and the arrival of new leadership.

She stresses that so much of the embarrassment of job loss is in your head.

"Given that hundreds of thousands of people being laid off, it's usually not about you. It's likely not about you, so don't carry that feeling unnecessarily."

4. Build a Career Checklist

Person making a checklist

If you're actively hunting for work or are deeply dissatisfied with your present job, you might be tempted to jump at for any job – overlooking your own happiness.

However, this represents a major error.

Instead, she suggests a technique known as "reviewing" – focusing your search to only position summaries that seem appealing.

She suggests browsing professional networks and collecting several that appeal to you.

"Identify {the words|the

John Elliott
John Elliott

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in casino strategy development and game mechanics.