We Got Dismissed, and We're Owning It – Here's How to Find a New Job That Suits Your Needs

Two women talking about career transitions
Professionals discuss their journey after job loss in a new book.

The start of a new year is frequently a moment for introspection, and for many, that involves evaluating our work lives.

Two editors who lost their jobs following company reorganizations initially felt it was a disaster.

"I dedicated everything into that role... I believed in the values we stood for. However, regarding my situation, those principles were absent," one of them says.

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

"There are countless alternative phrases for losing a job. But the faster you accept it, the quicker you're honest about it, the faster you can progress.

"That's the direct path to anything you wish to do next," she continues.

Now, they are excelling in new positions, with one leading a media business and another serving as editor-in-chief for a luxury magazine.

Whether you've been laid off or are looking for a new career, consider these four approaches for guidance.

1. Reflect On The Past Year

Person thinking about work

It's typical to feel some unease concerning your career following time off.

A career expert stresses the value of looking back before starting the search for a new role.

She advises professionals to evaluate what they wish to pursue more, what to decrease, and what energizes or exhausts their drive.

Reviewing your achievements to identify recurring patterns is useful too. "Try not to just looking at the most recent period, because we all suffer from for recent-event bias that can obstruct your judgment," she notes.

She also says it is important to decide what place your job occupies in your life.

This means being honest regarding the hours you're working and the influence on your family and family life.

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

2. Make Small Steps

Individual making small steps

The advisor says people can make gradual progress towards a career shift without committing fully.

She required a long period to transition from her corporate career to operating a company completely, developing her idea concurrently with her role, which meant self-funding from the start.

"It required a bit longer, but that represented the method I used in a sustainable way," she comments.

She advocates for an experimental approach.

This might involve volunteer work, getting involved in an initiative you find appealing, or agreeing to something different within your current team.

"The worst outcome, you discover that area isn't for you, however, it's wiser to find out now instead of after you've made the move," she remarks.

She also encourages exploring interim roles. These may not be the ideal job, but they serve as a move forward, for example a position with parallels to the career you want, though not in the exact area.

"It means allowing yourself the space to say this is suitable temporarily, but that isn't for all time.

"That represents an intelligent approach for moving much closer to your desired transition."

3. Acknowledge Your Achievements

Career accomplishments

For anyone who has recently been made redundant from your job, you aren't alone – redundancy rates have surged significantly recently.

A former editor held a senior role in a magazine, but a few years ago she and her team lost their jobs following a decision to ceased print operations.

Realizing that this event was not a reflection of her ability assisted her handle the transition.

"What you've learned remains with you because you lost your job.

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

Another professional was fired after a decade with a finance publication after a change in management and the arrival of a new editor.

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

"Considering the vast numbers of professionals losing jobs, it's rarely personal. Chances are not your fault, so avoid carrying that burden of shame unnecessarily."

4. Create a Job Search List

Person making a list

If you're urgently looking for employment or are deeply dissatisfied in your current role, it can be tempting to jump at for any job – overlooking personal fulfillment.

Yet, this can be a big misstep.

Alternatively, she proposes a technique known as "scanning" – focusing your search on role profiles that capture your interest.

She advises searching job platforms and gathering around 10 to 15 that seem promising.

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Ricky Smith
Ricky Smith

A luxury lifestyle journalist with over a decade of experience covering high-end brands and travel across Europe.