We Were Fired, and We Accept It – Learn How to Find a New Role That Works for You

Two women talking about career transitions
Professionals talk about their journey following redundancy in a new book.

A new year's onset is frequently a time for reflection, and for many, that encompasses thinking about our work lives.

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

"I poured my heart into the position... I had faith in the values we stood for. But in my case, those values were absent," one of them remarks.

They both chose to say "dismissed" and argue that being open about what happened can help you deal with it.

"There are numerous alternative phrases for job loss. But the faster you accept it, the faster you're honest regarding it, the faster you can progress.

"That is the fast track to whatever you want to pursue next," she notes.

Today, they are thriving in new ventures, where one owning her own firm and the other working as editor-in-chief at a prestigious publication.

Whether you've been laid off or are just contemplating a change, consider these four methods to assist you.

1. Consider Last Year

Person thinking about career

It's typical to experience some unease about work post-festive period.

A professional advisor highlights the value of introspection prior to launching the search for a new role.

She encourages professionals to evaluate what they desire to increase, what to decrease, and what energizes or exhausts their energy.

Examining your past successes to identify underlying threads can also help. "Try not to considering only the recent past, as people often have a tendency to focus on the recent that can hinder the process," she notes.

Another professional notes it is crucial to determine the role of work occupies in your life.

This involves being honest about how much time you're working and its effect on your social and social life.

Following her job loss, she suggests against letting your identity be dictated by your career.

2. Make Incremental Actions

Person taking gradual progress

The expert states that individuals can implement incremental moves towards a career shift without committing fully.

She took several years to make the jump from a traditional job to managing a company full-time, working on her idea while still employed, which enabled financial stability.

"It required a bit longer, but that was my approach without risk," she explains.

She suggests a "try before you buy" method.

This can include volunteering, getting involved in an initiative that captures your interest, or saying yes to a different task in your existing role.

"The worst outcome, you learn you don't like, but it's preferable to know now than after you've made the move," she states.

She also encourages looking into temporary "stepping-stone" positions. These may not be the ideal job, yet they function as a move in the right direction, like a job that shares traits to your desired career, though not in the exact industry or sector.

"It involves granting yourself the permission to accept this is good for now, but that isn't for all time.

"That represents a very smart strategy for moving nearer to that career change."

3. Acknowledge Your Achievements

List of achievements

For anyone who has recently lost your role, you are not the only one – redundancy rates have surged to high levels in recent times.

One professional held a senior role at a style magazine, but a few years ago her entire team lost their jobs when the firm discontinued the physical magazine.

Understanding that this was not a reflection of her performance helped her process the change.

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

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

Another professional was fired following a long tenure at a financial magazine following a regime change in senior ranks and the arrival of new leadership.

She notes that so much of the embarrassment associated with being fired is internal.

"With many people being laid off, it's rarely personal. It's probably very much not you, so refrain from bearing that ball of shame unnecessarily."

4. Build a Job Search List

Person making a list

For those who are desperately seeking work or are deeply dissatisfied at work, you might be tempted to jump at for any job – overlooking personal fulfillment.

But this is a major error.

Instead, she suggests an exercise called "browsing" – filtering opportunities to only position summaries that sound interesting.

She recommends searching professional networks and collecting several that seem promising.

"Look for {the words|the

Dr. Sharon West
Dr. Sharon West

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in online casino strategies and player psychology.