We Were Dismissed, and We're Embracing It – Here's How to Find a Fresh Position That Fits Your Needs

The beginning of a new year can be a time for reflection, and for a lot of us, that includes considering our work lives.

Two publishing professionals who left their jobs due to organizational changes initially felt it was catastrophic.

"I invested all my energy into the job... I trusted in the principles we stood for. But in my case, those principles were absent," a former editor says.

Both individuals decided to say "dismissed" and believe that being open about what happened can assist you process the event.

"People rely on countless soft terms for job loss. However, the quicker you accept it, the faster you're truthful about it, the sooner you can progress.

"It's the quickest route to whatever you want to do next," she continues.

Currently, they are succeeding in new ventures, where one leading her own media company and the other working as editor-in-chief for a luxury magazine.

Whether you've been made redundant or are looking for a new career, consider these four strategies that can help.

1. Reflect On The Past Year

It's common to experience some unease concerning your career after a holiday break.

A careers coach highlights the necessity of introspection before embarking on a fresh job hunt.

She suggests individuals to think about what they desire to increase, what to decrease, and which factors inspires or drains their energy.

Looking back at your past successes to spot underlying threads is also beneficial. "Try to avoid just looking at the last month, as people often suffer from for recent-event bias that can impede clear thinking," she adds.

A former editor states it is important to establish what place your job plays in your life.

This means being truthful regarding the hours you spend working and its effect on your family and social life.

After being let go, she suggests not allowing yourself be defined by your work.

2. Take Gradual Moves

She states that individuals can implement gradual progress towards a career shift without diving in headfirst.

Her own journey required a long period to transition from her corporate career to running her own business completely, developing her project alongside her job, which enabled she could pay herself.

"It required additional time, however, that was the method I used in a sustainable way," she explains.

She advocates for an experimental strategy.

This could be volunteer work, getting involved in an initiative that interests you, or agreeing to a new challenge within your current team.

"If it fails, you find out it's not a fit, however, it's wiser to know now instead of after you've made the move," she states.

She also encourages exploring interim roles. These might not be the perfect role, but they act as a step forward, like a job with similarities to your target field, yet not in the same field.

"It's about allowing yourself the space to say this works for now, but that isn't the same as forever.

"This is an intelligent strategy for getting much closer to your career change."

3. Recall Your Achievements

If you've just left your job, you are not the only one – layoff figures have increased significantly lately.

A former editor was the top editor at a style magazine, but a few years ago she were laid off after the company ceased print operations.

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

"What you've learned remains with you because you were dismissed.

"Don't give up your confidence, it's important for all individuals to recall their intrinsic value."

Her colleague was fired following a long tenure in a business journal due to leadership changes in senior ranks and the hiring of a different editor.

She emphasizes that a lot of the embarrassment associated with being fired is internal.

"Given that hundreds of thousands of people being laid off, it's usually not about you. Chances are not your fault, so don't carry that ball of shame forward."

4. Develop a Job Search List

When you're desperately seeking a new job or feel deeply dissatisfied with your present job, the temptation is to jump at for any vacancy – disregarding your own happiness.

Yet, this can be a significant mistake.

Instead, she suggests a technique known as "reviewing" – filtering opportunities on role profiles that capture your interest.

She suggests searching sites like LinkedIn and collecting several that seem promising.

"Look for {the words|the