We Got Let Go, and We're Owning It – Learn How to Secure a New Job That Works You Personally
The start of a new year is frequently a moment for introspection, and for many, that involves evaluating our professional paths.
Two publishing professionals who left their roles due to organizational changes initially felt it was a disaster.
"I poured everything into that role... I believed in the values we stood for. However, regarding my situation, that ethos weren't there," a former editor remarks.
Both individuals decided to say "let go" and argue that being honest about the situation can help you handle the experience.
"We use numerous euphemisms for job loss. But the faster you own it, the faster you're candid about it, the quicker you can move on.
"It's the fast track to anything you want to pursue next," she notes.
Now, they are excelling in new ventures, with one owning a media business and the other holding the position of lead editor at a prestigious publication.
Whether you've lost your job or are contemplating a change, here are four approaches that can help.
1. Contemplate The Previous Year
It's typical to feel some unease regarding your job post-festive period.
A career expert stresses the importance of introspection before starting a new job search.
She suggests individuals to think about what they desire to increase, what to decrease, and which factors inspires or drains their energy.
Reviewing your achievements to identify common themes is also beneficial. "Try not to focusing solely on the last month, because we all exhibit for recency bias that can obstruct clear thinking," she states.
Another professional notes it is vital to decide the role of work fits in your life.
This means being honest about how much time you spend working and its impact on your social and family life.
After being let go, she advises against letting yourself be defined by your career.
2. Take Gradual Moves
She states that individuals can take gradual progress towards changing careers without committing fully.
She took seven years to make the jump from a corporate role to running a company full-time, building the venture while still employed, which enabled financial stability.
"It took more time, but that was the method I used in a sustainable way," she says.
She advocates for an experimental strategy.
This could be volunteering, getting involved in a professional project that captures your interest, or accepting a new challenge at your present job.
"Worst case scenario, you learn that area isn't for you, but it's better to find out now instead of after you've committed fully," she states.
Additionally, she suggests looking into short-term "bridging roles". These may not be the ideal job, but they serve as a move forward, like a job with parallels to your desired career, yet not in the same industry or sector.
"It's about giving yourself the permission to say this is suitable temporarily, but that does not mean for all time.
"That can be a clever strategy for moving much closer to that new career."
3. Acknowledge Your Successes
For anyone who has recently been made redundant from your role, you aren't alone – redundancy rates have increased markedly recently.
A former editor was editor-in-chief at a style magazine, but in 2022 she were laid off after the company discontinued the physical magazine.
Recognizing that this event did not reflect of her performance allowed her to process the change.
"What you've learned doesn't go away because you lost your job.
"Do not surrender your self-worth, it's important for everybody to remember their own worth."
Her colleague was fired following a long tenure with a finance publication after a change in senior ranks and the hiring of a different editor.
She notes that a lot of the embarrassment of dismissal is internal.
"Given that hundreds of thousands of individuals facing redundancy, it's rarely personal. Chances are not about you, so avoid carrying that burden of shame around with you."
4. Develop a Career Checklist
For those who are desperately seeking work or are profoundly unhappy at work, it can be tempting to dive straight into applying for any vacancy – overlooking what suits you.
Yet, this can be a significant mistake.
Rather, she recommends a technique known as "browsing" – focusing your search to only job descriptions that capture your interest.
She suggests searching professional networks and collecting a selection of that seem promising.
"Look for {the words|the
