We Were Dismissed, and We Accept It – This Is How to Find a Fresh Position That Suits You Personally

Two women discussing career transitions
Professionals discuss their path following redundancy in a recent publication.

The start of a new year can be a time for reflection, and for a lot of us, that involves considering our professional paths.

A pair of editors who lost their roles after corporate restructures at first believed it was catastrophic.

"I invested all my energy into that role... I had faith in the values we stood for. But in my case, those principles were absent," one of them says.

The two decided to say "dismissed" and believe that being honest about the situation can help you process it.

"There are countless alternative phrases for losing a job. Yet, the sooner you own it, the faster you're truthful regarding it, the faster you can progress.

"That is the quickest route to what you want to pursue next," she notes.

Today, they are excelling in new positions, with one leading her own firm and another holding the position of lead editor for a luxury magazine.

Whether you've been laid off or are simply looking for a new career, these are four approaches to assist you.

1. Reflect On The Previous Year

Person thinking about career

It's common to experience a bit low about work after a holiday break.

A professional advisor emphasizes the importance of looking back before embarking on a fresh job hunt.

She advises people to consider what they desire to increase, what to decrease, and which factors motivates or depletes their drive.

Examining your achievements to find recurring patterns is also beneficial. "Try not to considering only the recent past, because we all exhibit for recent-event bias that can obstruct clear thinking," she adds.

Another professional states it is vital to decide the role of work occupies in your life.

This requires being truthful about how much time you devote to work and its impact on your social and social life.

Following her job loss, she suggests not allowing your identity be dictated by your job.

2. Make Small Steps

Individual making small steps

The expert states that individuals can make gradual progress towards a career shift without diving in headfirst.

Her own journey required a long period to make the jump from a corporate role to operating a company completely, building the venture concurrently with her role, which meant self-funding from the start.

"It needed a bit longer, however, that was the method I used in a sustainable way," she says.

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

This can include pro bono work, participating in a professional project that interests you, or accepting a new challenge within your current team.

"If it fails, you learn it's not a fit, but it's better to learn now rather than after you've switched careers," she states.

Additionally, she suggests looking into temporary "stepping-stone" positions. These may not be the dream position, yet they function as a step forward, like a job with similarities to your desired career, though not in the exact industry or sector.

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

"This is an intelligent tactic to get nearer to that career change."

3. Acknowledge Your Achievements

List of achievements

Should you have recently lost your role, many are in the same boat – job cuts have surged significantly lately.

She was the top editor in a magazine, previously she and her team were laid off after the company ceased print operations.

Understanding that this situation was not a reflection of her performance allowed her to process the change.

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

"Do not surrender your power, it's important for everyone to recall their own value."

Her colleague was fired after ten years in a business journal after a change in management and the appointment of a new editor.

She emphasizes that so much of the embarrassment associated with being fired is self-imposed.

"Considering the vast numbers of professionals losing jobs, it's usually not about you. It's probably very much not you, so avoid carrying that burden of shame forward."

4. Build a Job Search List

Person making a list

If you're desperately seeking work or are utterly miserable in your current role, the temptation is to dive straight into applying at any opportunity – disregarding your own happiness.

Yet, this can be a big misstep.

Rather, she recommends an exercise called "reviewing" – narrowing your search on position summaries that capture your interest.

She advises exploring professional networks and gathering around 10 to 15 that seem promising.

"Look for {the words|the

Ronald Cox
Ronald Cox

A storyteller and life coach who shares real-world experiences to empower others in their personal and professional journeys.