We Were Fired, and We're Embracing It – This Is How to Land a New Role That Fits You Personally

The beginning of a new year can be a period for contemplation, and for a lot of us, that involves thinking about our professional paths.

A pair of editors who left their roles following company reorganizations originally thought their world had ended.

"I invested everything into that role... I had faith in the values we championed. However, regarding my situation, that ethos weren't there," she remarks.

They both opted to use the term "fired" and suggest that being open about it can help you handle the experience.

"People rely on countless euphemisms for job loss. However, the quicker you acknowledge it, the faster you're candid regarding it, the sooner you can move on.

"It's the fast track to whatever you wish to pursue next," she notes.

Now, they are excelling in new positions, where one leading a media business and another serving as top editor for a high-end journal.

Whether you've been laid off or are looking for a new career, here are four methods for guidance.

1. Consider The Past Year

It's natural to feel some apprehension about work after a holiday break.

A professional advisor emphasizes the importance of reflection before starting a fresh job hunt.

She encourages individuals to think about what they wish to pursue more, what they want less of, and which factors motivates or depletes their drive.

Reviewing your achievements to spot underlying threads can also help. "Try to avoid just looking at the last month, because we all exhibit for recency bias that can hinder the process," she adds.

Another professional says it is important to establish the role of work fits in your life.

This involves being candid about how much time you spend working and its impact on your family and family life.

Following her job loss, she recommends not allowing yourself be dictated by your work.

2. Make Incremental Actions

The advisor states that individuals can take small steps for a career transition without committing fully.

She required a long period to make the jump from a traditional job to managing a company entirely, working on the venture alongside her job, which allowed she could pay herself.

"It needed additional time, but that was my approach sustainably," she says.

She advocates for a "try before you buy" strategy.

This could be volunteer work, getting involved in a professional project that captures your interest, or accepting a different task at your present job.

"Worst case scenario, you learn you don't like, but it's better to learn now than after you've committed fully," she remarks.

She also encourages exploring interim roles. These might not be the ideal job, yet they function as progress forward, for example a position that shares traits to your target field, but in a different area.

"It involves giving yourself the leeway to accept this works for now, but that isn't permanent.

"That can be an intelligent approach for getting nearer to that new career."

3. Acknowledge Your Accomplishments

For anyone who has recently lost your position, you are not the only one – layoff figures have risen to high levels recently.

A former editor was the top editor at a style magazine, but in 2022 she were made redundant when the firm closed the print version.

Realizing that this was not indicative of her ability assisted her process the change.

"Your experience doesn't go away just because you were let go.

"Don't give up your confidence, it's vital for everyone to remember their own value."

Another professional was let go after ten years in a business journal following a regime change in management and the hiring of a new editor.

She emphasizes that so much of the shame of dismissal is self-imposed.

"Given that hundreds of thousands of professionals losing jobs, it's not personal. It's likely not about you, so refrain from bearing that feeling around with you."

4. Develop a Career Checklist

When you're urgently looking for employment or are deeply dissatisfied at work, the temptation is to jump at for any vacancy – disregarding your own happiness.

Yet, this can be a major error.

Instead, she suggests a method called "scanning" – narrowing your search to only position summaries that seem appealing.

She recommends searching job platforms and saving around 10 to 15 that you like.

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