We Got Let Go, and We Accept It – This Is How to Secure a New Role That Works for You
The beginning of a new year is often a period for contemplation, and for numerous people, that involves considering our career trajectories.
A pair of editors who lost their jobs due to organizational changes at first believed it was a disaster.
"I dedicated everything into the job... I trusted in the values we championed. But in my case, those principles were absent," she remarks.
Both individuals chose to use the term "let go" and suggest that being honest about it can help you deal with the experience.
"There are so many euphemisms for job loss. However, the quicker you acknowledge it, the faster you're truthful about it, the faster you can progress.
"That is the fast track to anything you desire to do next," she adds.
Today, they are succeeding in different roles, with one leading her own media company and another holding the position of lead editor for a high-end journal.
Whether you've been laid off or are just contemplating a change, here are four approaches for guidance.
1. Reflect On The Past Year
It's typical to have some unease concerning your career after a holiday break.
A careers coach stresses the importance of looking back prior to launching a fresh job hunt.
She suggests professionals to evaluate what they desire to increase, what to decrease, and which factors inspires or drains them.
Looking back at your achievements to spot recurring patterns is also beneficial. "Try not to considering only the recent past, since everyone exhibit for recent-event bias that can obstruct the process," she states.
She also states it is crucial to establish where your work plays in your life.
This involves being honest regarding the hours you're working and the influence on your personal and family life.
After her own experience, she suggests preventing your identity be shaped solely by your career.
2. Implement Gradual Moves
The advisor says people can implement incremental moves for a career transition without committing fully.
Her own journey required a long period to transition from a corporate role to running her own company full-time, working on her project concurrently with her role, which meant financial stability.
"It took additional time, but that was the method I used without risk," she explains.
She advocates for a "try before you buy" strategy.
This could be pro bono work, getting involved in an initiative you find appealing, or accepting something different within your current team.
"Worst case scenario, you discover that area isn't for you, but it's preferable to know now than after you've switched careers," she remarks.
She also advises looking into interim roles. They are perhaps not the perfect role, but they act as a step towards your goal, like a job that shares traits to your target field, though not in the exact area.
"It means allowing yourself the leeway to accept this is suitable temporarily, but that isn't for all time.
"This is a clever approach for getting closer to your career change."
3. Remember Your Achievements
For anyone who has recently lost your job, many are in the same boat – job cuts have surged significantly in recent times.
A former editor was editor-in-chief at a style magazine, but in 2022 her entire team were laid off after the company closed the print version.
Understanding that this situation did not reflect of her skills assisted her process the change.
"What you've learned doesn't disappear because you were let go.
"Don't give up your confidence, it's vital for everybody to recognize their own worth."
The other editor was fired after a decade with a finance publication due to leadership changes in senior ranks and the hiring of new leadership.
She stresses that much of the stigma of dismissal is internal.
"Considering the vast numbers of professionals losing jobs, it's rarely personal. It's likely not your fault, so refrain from bearing that burden of shame around with you."
4. Develop a Job Search List
For those who are actively hunting for a new job or feel utterly miserable in your current role, you might be tempted to dive straight into applying for any vacancy – disregarding personal fulfillment.
But this is a big misstep.
Instead, she suggests an exercise called "reviewing" – filtering opportunities on job descriptions that seem appealing.
She recommends browsing job platforms and gathering a selection of that seem promising.
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