We Were Dismissed, and We Accept It – This Is How to Land a New Job That Suits Your Needs

A new year's onset is often a time for reflection, and for a lot of us, that involves considering our professional paths.

Two editors who were made redundant from their roles after corporate restructures initially felt it was catastrophic.

"I invested everything into the job... I believed in the principles we promoted. However, regarding my situation, that ethos didn't apply," a former editor states.

They both chose to say "let go" and believe that being open about the situation can help you process the experience.

"There are so many alternative phrases for job loss. But the faster you own it, the faster you're candid regarding it, the faster you can progress.

"That's the quickest route to what you want to do next," she adds.

Now, they are thriving in new positions, where one running her own media company and the other holding the position of editor-in-chief for a luxury magazine.

If you've lost your job or are simply contemplating a change, consider these four strategies for guidance.

1. Contemplate The Previous Year

It's natural to feel a bit low concerning your career after a holiday break.

A careers coach emphasizes the value of looking back prior to launching the search for a new role.

She advises individuals to think about what they desire to pursue more, what to reduce, and which factors inspires or drains them.

Looking back at your achievements to spot recurring patterns is also beneficial. "Try to avoid focusing solely on the most recent period, as people often suffer from for recent-event bias that can impede the process," she states.

Another professional notes it is important to establish where your work fits in your life.

This involves being candid about the amount of time you spend working and its impact on your personal life.

Following her job loss, she advises not allowing your identity be shaped solely by your work.

2. Implement Small Steps

The expert states that individuals can make gradual progress towards changing careers without a complete leap.

She herself required a long period to make the jump from her corporate career to operating her own company entirely, developing her idea while still employed, which meant she could pay herself.

"It required more time, but that represented the method I used without risk," she comments.

She recommends an experimental strategy.

This could be pro bono work, joining a professional project you find appealing, or saying yes to a different task within your current team.

"The worst outcome, you discover you don't like, however, it's wiser to find out now than after you've made the move," she adds.

She also advises looking into short-term "bridging roles". These might not be the dream position, yet they function as a step towards your goal, such as a role with parallels to the career you want, but in a different industry or sector.

"It's about giving yourself the permission to accept this is good for now, but that isn't permanent.

"That can be an intelligent tactic for getting closer to your career change."

3. Recall Your Successes

Should you have recently lost your position, you aren't alone – job cuts have increased significantly in recent times.

A former editor held a senior role for a fashion publication, but in 2022 she and her team were laid off when the firm ceased print operations.

Recognizing that this did not reflect of her ability helped her handle the transition.

"The skills you've gained doesn't disappear because you were dismissed.

"Don't give up your confidence, it's vital for everybody to recognize their intrinsic value."

Her colleague lost her job following a long tenure with a finance publication after a change in management and the arrival of a new editor.

She emphasizes that a lot of the stigma of job loss is self-imposed.

"With many individuals facing redundancy, it's not personal. Chances are very much not you, so avoid carrying that burden of shame around with you."

4. Build a Career Checklist

If you're urgently looking for work or are deeply dissatisfied with your present job, it can be tempting to jump at for any vacancy – ignoring your own happiness.

But this is a big misstep.

Rather, she recommends a technique known as "scanning" – focusing your search down to job descriptions that sound interesting.

She recommends searching professional networks and collecting a selection of that you like.

"What are {the words|the