We Were Fired, and We Accept It – This Is How to Secure a New Role That Fits You Personally

The start of a new year is frequently a period for contemplation, and for many, that involves considering our work lives.

Two publishing professionals who lost their jobs following company reorganizations initially felt it was a disaster.

"I dedicated my heart into the job... I believed in the ethos we championed. Yet, when it came to me, those values were absent," she states.

Both individuals decided to use the term "let go" and believe that being open about the situation can aid you process it.

"We use countless soft terms for losing a job. However, the quicker you accept it, the sooner you're truthful regarding it, the quicker you can move on.

"It's the direct path to what you want next," she adds.

Today, they are thriving in different roles, where one owning her own firm and another working as top editor at a prestigious publication.

For those who have been laid off or are simply looking for a new career, here are four strategies for guidance.

1. Reflect On The Past Year

It's natural to experience some apprehension regarding your job after a holiday break.

A career expert highlights the importance of introspection before embarking on a fresh job hunt.

She encourages people to consider what they want to increase, what to reduce, and the things that inspires or drains their energy.

Looking back at your past successes to spot common themes is useful too. "Try not to considering only the most recent period, because we all have a tendency for recency bias that can obstruct clear thinking," she notes.

Another professional states it is important to determine where your work fits in your life.

This means being candid about the amount of time you're working and its impact on your family and family life.

After her own experience, she suggests preventing your life be shaped solely by your career.

2. Implement Incremental Actions

The expert notes that professionals can make gradual progress towards a career shift without committing fully.

Her own journey took seven years to transition from her corporate career to managing her own business full-time, working on her idea while still employed, which enabled financial stability.

"It needed more time, but that was the method I used without risk," she says.

She suggests a "try before you buy" strategy.

This could be volunteer work, participating in a work project that captures your interest, or agreeing to a new challenge at your present job.

"If it fails, you discover it's not a fit, however, it's wiser to know now than after you've committed fully," she states.

Additionally, she suggests exploring interim roles. They are perhaps not the perfect role, but they serve as progress towards your goal, for example a position that shares traits to your target field, but in a different area.

"It means giving yourself the space to say this works for now, but that isn't permanent.

"That can be an intelligent approach to get much closer to your career change."

3. Acknowledge Your Accomplishments

If you've recently been made redundant from your position, many are in the same boat – layoff figures have surged markedly recently.

One professional was the top editor at a style magazine, but in 2022 she and her team were made redundant when the firm discontinued the physical magazine.

Realizing that this event was not a reflection of her skills allowed her to handle the transition.

"What you've learned remains with you simply due to were dismissed.

"Don't relinquish your power, it's important for everybody to recognize their intrinsic value."

The other editor was let go following a long tenure in a business journal following a regime change at the top and the appointment of a different editor.

She notes that so much of the shame of job loss is internal.

"With many people being laid off, it's usually not about you. Chances are not about you, so avoid carrying that burden of shame forward."

4. Build a Job Search List

If you're desperately seeking employment or are utterly miserable in your current role, the temptation is to apply hastily for any vacancy – ignoring personal fulfillment.

Yet, this can be a major error.

Rather, she recommends an exercise called "reviewing" – focusing your search down to position summaries that sound interesting.

She advises browsing job platforms and gathering around 10 to 15 that appeal to you.

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