We Got Let Go, and We Accept It – This Is How to Find a New Job That Suits Your Needs
The beginning of a new year is often a time for reflection, and for numerous people, that involves thinking about our work lives.
Two editors who were made redundant from their roles after corporate restructures originally thought it was catastrophic.
"I poured everything into that role... I trusted in the ethos we stood for. However, regarding my situation, that ethos didn't apply," a former editor states.
They both chose to use the term "let go" and suggest that being transparent about the situation can assist you process the experience.
"There are numerous alternative phrases for losing a job. But the faster you own it, the sooner you're truthful regarding it, the quicker you can progress.
"It's the direct path to anything you desire to pursue next," she notes.
Currently, they are thriving in new positions, where one owning her own firm and the other working as lead editor for a high-end journal.
For those who have lost your job or are simply contemplating a change, consider these four approaches that can help.
1. Contemplate Last Year
It's typical to feel some unease concerning your career after a holiday break.
A career expert highlights the value of reflection before embarking on a new job search.
She suggests individuals to think about what they wish to increase, what they want less of, and the things that motivates or depletes them.
Reviewing your past successes to identify recurring patterns can also help. "Avoid focusing solely on the last month, because we all have a tendency for recent-event bias that can obstruct clear thinking," she adds.
Another professional notes it is important to decide the role of work fits in your life.
This means being candid about how much time you devote to work and its effect on your social life.
After being let go, she suggests preventing your life be dictated by your work.
2. Make Gradual Moves
The advisor notes that professionals can implement small steps towards changing careers without diving in headfirst.
She took several years to transition from a traditional job to managing her own business full-time, building her idea concurrently with her role, which enabled financial stability.
"It took additional time, however, that was the method I used sustainably," she explains.
She recommends an experimental approach.
This might involve volunteering, joining a professional project you find appealing, or agreeing to a different task within your current team.
"The worst outcome, you learn it's not a fit, but it's better to find out now than after you've made the move," she remarks.
She also advises exploring short-term "bridging roles". They are perhaps not the dream position, yet they function as a move in the right direction, for example a position with similarities to the career you want, though not in the exact industry or sector.
"It involves allowing yourself the space to say this works for now, but that isn't for all time.
"This is a clever tactic for getting much closer to your career change."
3. Remember Your Successes
If you've recently been made redundant from your position, you are not the only one – layoff figures have increased to high levels recently.
One professional was editor-in-chief in a magazine, but in 2022 she and her team were made redundant following a decision to discontinued the physical magazine.
Understanding that this did not reflect of her performance allowed her to handle the transition.
"Your experience doesn't disappear simply due to lost your job.
"Don't give up your power, it's crucial for all individuals to remember their intrinsic value."
The other editor lost her job following a long tenure in a business journal following a regime change in senior ranks and the arrival of new leadership.
She stresses that so much of the stigma of job loss is internal.
"With many people being laid off, it's not personal. Chances are not about you, so don't carry that burden of shame unnecessarily."
4. Build a Professional Checklist
For those who are actively hunting for a new job or feel profoundly unhappy in your current role, it can be tempting to dive straight into applying for any job – disregarding personal fulfillment.
Yet, this can be a big misstep.
Alternatively, she proposes a method called "browsing" – narrowing your search on role profiles that capture your interest.
She recommends searching professional networks and collecting several that appeal to you.
"Look for {the words|the
