We Were Fired, and We Accept It – Here's How to Secure a New Job That Works Your Needs

Two women discussing job changes
Experts talk about their path following redundancy in a recent publication.

A new year's onset is often a period for contemplation, and for a lot of us, that involves evaluating our career trajectories.

Two publishing professionals who left their roles following company reorganizations initially felt it was a disaster.

"I poured everything into the position... I believed in the principles we promoted. Yet, when it came to me, those principles were absent," one of them states.

The two chose to use the term "dismissed" and argue that being transparent about what happened can help you deal with it.

"People rely on numerous alternative phrases for job loss. However, the quicker you own it, the quicker you're truthful about it, the quicker you can move on.

"That is the direct path to what you wish next," she notes.

Currently, they are succeeding in different roles, with one owning her own media company and another working as top editor for a luxury magazine.

Whether you've been made redundant or are contemplating a change, here are four methods to assist you.

1. Consider The Past Year

Person thinking about work

It's natural to experience some apprehension concerning your career post-festive period.

A professional advisor emphasizes the importance of introspection before embarking on a new job search.

She encourages people to consider what they want to do more of, what to reduce, and which factors energizes or exhausts them.

Examining your achievements to find recurring patterns is also beneficial. "Avoid considering only the recent past, since everyone suffer from to focus on the recent that can obstruct your judgment," she notes.

She also states it is important to establish where your work plays in your life.

This means being candid about the amount of time you devote to work and its effect on your family and social life.

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

2. Implement Small Steps

Person taking gradual progress

She notes that professionals can make small steps towards changing careers without committing fully.

Her own journey required a long period to move from a traditional job to running a company full-time, developing her project concurrently with her role, which allowed financial stability.

"It took more time, however, that was how I did it in a sustainable way," she comments.

She recommends an experimental method.

This can include volunteer work, getting involved in a work project you find appealing, or agreeing to a different task at your present job.

"If it fails, you learn that area isn't for you, however, it's wiser to learn now than after you've switched careers," she states.

She also encourages exploring temporary "stepping-stone" positions. These might not be the perfect role, but they act as progress in the right direction, for example a position with similarities to your target field, but in a different field.

"It involves granting yourself the space to say this is good for now, however, that is not for all time.

"This is a clever tactic to get much closer to a desired transition."

3. Remember Your Accomplishments

Career accomplishments

For anyone who has just left your job, you aren't alone – redundancy rates have surged significantly in recent times.

One professional was editor-in-chief for a fashion publication, previously she and her team were laid off following a decision to discontinued the physical magazine.

Realizing that this event was not a reflection of her skills assisted her cope with the situation.

"The skills you've gained doesn't disappear just because you lost your job.

"Don't relinquish your power, it's vital for everyone to recall their own worth."

The other editor was let go after ten years at a financial magazine due to leadership changes at the top and the hiring of a different editor.

She notes that so much of the embarrassment of job loss is self-imposed.

"With many people being laid off, it's rarely personal. It's probably not about you, so don't carry that burden of shame unnecessarily."

4. Create a Professional Checklist

Individual creating a checklist

When you're desperately seeking a new job or feel profoundly unhappy with your present job, you might be tempted to jump at at any opportunity – ignoring personal fulfillment.

Yet, this can be a significant mistake.

Alternatively, she proposes a technique known as "scanning" – focusing your search to only position summaries that capture your interest.

She advises searching sites like LinkedIn and saving several that appeal to you.

"Identify {the words|the

Andrew May
Andrew May

A tech strategist and innovation consultant with over a decade of experience in Silicon Valley and global markets.