We Got Dismissed, and We're Owning It – This Is How to Find a Fresh Position That Works You Personally
The start of a new year is often a moment for introspection, and for a lot of us, that includes considering our career trajectories.
A pair of editors who lost their roles after corporate restructures originally thought it was a disaster.
"I invested my heart into the position... I trusted in the values we stood for. But in my case, that ethos weren't there," she states.
Both individuals opted to employ the word "dismissed" and suggest that being transparent about the situation can help you process the experience.
"There are countless euphemisms for being dismissed. However, the quicker you accept it, the sooner you're candid regarding it, the quicker you can advance.
"It's the direct path to anything you desire to do next," she continues.
Today, they are excelling in new ventures, where one owning a media business and the other holding the position of top editor for a high-end journal.
For those who have been laid off or are just considering a shift, consider these four approaches to assist you.
1. Contemplate Last Year
It's common to feel a bit low concerning your career following time off.
A professional advisor stresses the importance of introspection before starting a new job search.
She advises people to consider what they desire to do more of, what they want less of, and the things that motivates or depletes them.
Reviewing your achievements to spot common themes is also beneficial. "Try to avoid considering only the most recent period, since everyone suffer from for recent-event bias that can obstruct the process," she notes.
A former editor states it is crucial to establish where your work fits in your life.
This involves being truthful regarding the hours you spend working and its impact on your social and family life.
After being let go, she recommends preventing yourself be defined by your job.
2. Implement Small Steps
The expert notes that professionals can make small steps for a career transition without a complete leap.
She herself took seven years to make the jump from her corporate career to running a company full-time, working on the venture concurrently with her role, which meant financial stability.
"It took additional time, but that was how I did it sustainably," she explains.
She advocates for an experimental method.
This could be pro bono work, participating in a professional project that interests you, or agreeing to something different in your existing role.
"The worst outcome, you discover it's not a fit, but it's preferable to learn now instead of after you've committed fully," she states.
She also encourages looking into temporary "stepping-stone" positions. These may not be the ideal job, but they act as a step towards your goal, for example a position with parallels to your target field, but in a different area.
"It's about giving yourself the permission to say this is suitable temporarily, but that does not mean permanent.
"That can be a clever tactic to get closer to your career change."
3. Remember Your Achievements
If you've recently been made redundant from your role, you are not the only one – redundancy rates have surged to high levels lately.
A former editor was editor-in-chief for a fashion publication, but a few years ago her entire team were made redundant when the firm ceased print operations.
Realizing that this did not reflect of her ability assisted her cope with the situation.
"Your experience remains with you just because you lost your job.
"Don't relinquish your confidence, it's vital for everybody to recall their own worth."
The other editor was let go following a long tenure at a financial magazine due to leadership changes in senior ranks and the hiring of a new editor.
She stresses that so much of the embarrassment of dismissal is in your head.
"With many individuals facing redundancy, it's rarely personal. It's likely very much not you, so don't carry that burden of shame unnecessarily."
4. Develop a Career Checklist
If you're urgently looking for a new job or feel profoundly unhappy with your present job, you might be tempted to jump at at any opportunity – disregarding what suits you.
Yet, this can be a big misstep.
Instead, she suggests a method called "scanning" – filtering opportunities to only role profiles that seem appealing.
She recommends exploring job platforms and gathering a selection of that seem promising.
"Look for {the words|the
