We Were Fired, and We Accept It – Learn How to Find a Fresh Position That Fits for You

The beginning of a new year can be a time for reflection, and for many, that includes evaluating our work lives.

Two editors who were made redundant from their positions following company reorganizations at first believed it was a disaster.

"I poured my heart into the job... I had faith in the ethos we promoted. But in my case, those principles weren't there," a former editor says.

They both opted to say "dismissed" and argue that being open about the situation can aid you handle the experience.

"There are countless soft terms for being dismissed. However, the quicker you accept it, the quicker you're honest regarding it, the sooner you can progress.

"It's the quickest route to anything you want to do next," she notes.

Currently, they are succeeding in different roles, where one owning a media business and the other serving as top editor for a high-end journal.

For those who have been laid off or are looking for a new career, consider these four approaches that can help.

1. Reflect On The Previous Year

It's typical to feel some unease about work after a holiday break.

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

She encourages people to consider what they desire to pursue more, what they want less of, and what energizes or exhausts their drive.

Looking back at your achievements to identify underlying threads is also beneficial. "Try not to considering only the recent past, as people often suffer from to focus on the recent that can obstruct the process," she states.

She also says it is vital to determine the role of work fits in your life.

This requires being honest about the amount of time you devote to work and its impact on your family life.

After being let go, she suggests preventing your identity be shaped solely by your career.

2. Implement Gradual Moves

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

She took several years to transition from a corporate role to operating a company full-time, developing her idea concurrently with her role, which enabled financial stability.

"It required a bit longer, but that was how I did it sustainably," she comments.

She suggests an experimental approach.

This could be volunteer work, participating in a work project that interests you, or saying yes to something different in your existing role.

"The worst outcome, you find out that area isn't for you, but it's better to learn now than after you've committed fully," she states.

She also encourages looking into temporary "stepping-stone" positions. These might not be the perfect role, yet they function as a move forward, like a job with similarities to the career you want, though not in the exact field.

"It's about allowing yourself the space to say this is suitable temporarily, but that does not mean permanent.

"That can be an intelligent approach for getting nearer to a career change."

3. Recall Your Achievements

Should you have recently lost your job, many are in the same boat – layoff figures have increased significantly lately.

A former editor was the top editor for a fashion publication, but a few years ago she and her team were laid off after the company closed the print version.

Recognizing that this was not a reflection of her ability allowed her to handle the transition.

"What you've learned remains with you simply due to were dismissed.

"Don't give up your self-worth, it's crucial for everybody to remember their own value."

Another professional was let go after a decade in a business journal after a change in management and the appointment of new leadership.

She notes that so much of the embarrassment of job loss is internal.

"Given that hundreds of thousands of individuals facing redundancy, it's rarely personal. It's probably very much not you, so don't carry that ball of shame around with you."

4. Develop a Career Checklist

If you're urgently looking for a new job or feel profoundly unhappy in your current role, the temptation is to jump at at any opportunity – ignoring your own happiness.

However, this represents a big misstep.

Alternatively, she proposes an exercise called "scanning" – focusing your search down to job descriptions that seem appealing.

She advises exploring job platforms and collecting a selection of that you like.

"Identify {the words|the