We Got Let Go, and We're Owning It – Here's How to Find a Fresh Position That Suits for You

Two professionals discussing career transitions
Professionals talk about their journey after job loss in a recent publication.

The start of a new year can be a time for reflection, and for a lot of us, that includes considering our career trajectories.

Two editors who lost their jobs following company reorganizations at first believed their world had ended.

"I poured my heart into that role... I trusted in the principles we promoted. Yet, when it came to me, those principles didn't apply," a former editor states.

The two chose to employ the word "let go" and suggest that being transparent about it can assist you process it.

"There are countless alternative phrases for losing a job. Yet, the sooner you acknowledge it, the faster you're candid regarding it, the quicker you can move on.

"That's the direct path to whatever you want to do next," she adds.

Now, they are succeeding in different roles, where one running her own media company and another working as editor-in-chief for a high-end journal.

If you've been made redundant or are just considering a shift, consider these four methods to assist you.

1. Reflect On Last Year

Individual reflecting about career

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

A careers coach stresses the necessity of looking back before starting a new job search.

She advises professionals to evaluate what they want to increase, what to decrease, and which factors inspires or drains their drive.

Reviewing your accomplishments to identify common themes is also beneficial. "Try not to focusing solely on the recent past, since everyone exhibit for recency bias that can obstruct the process," she adds.

She also notes it is vital to establish the role of work plays in your life.

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

After her own experience, she suggests against letting your life be dictated by your job.

2. Implement Small Steps

Individual making gradual progress

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

Her own journey took several years to make the jump from a corporate role to operating her own company entirely, working on her project concurrently with her role, which meant she could pay herself.

"It needed more time, but that was my approach without risk," she explains.

She suggests an experimental strategy.

This could be volunteering, getting involved in an initiative you find appealing, or agreeing to a different task at your present job.

"If it fails, you learn that area isn't for you, but it's better to learn now instead of after you've made the move," she states.

Additionally, she suggests looking into short-term "bridging roles". These might not be the perfect role, yet they function as progress in the right direction, for example a position with similarities to your desired career, though not in the exact industry or sector.

"It means giving yourself the space to accept this is good for now, but that isn't the same as forever.

"That can be a very smart tactic to get much closer to a desired transition."

3. Recall Your Accomplishments

List of achievements

Should you have just left your position, you are not the only one – job cuts have risen markedly in recent times.

She was the top editor at a style magazine, but a few years ago she and her team were laid off following a decision to closed the print version.

Understanding that this situation did not reflect of her skills allowed her to process the change.

"Your experience doesn't disappear just because you were dismissed.

"Don't relinquish your confidence, it's crucial for everyone to remember their intrinsic value."

Her colleague lost her job after a decade with a finance publication due to leadership changes in management and the hiring of new leadership.

She notes that a lot of the stigma of job loss is self-imposed.

"Given that hundreds of thousands of professionals losing jobs, it's not personal. Chances are not about you, so avoid carrying that burden of shame forward."

4. Create a Job Search List

Individual creating a checklist

When you're urgently looking for employment or are utterly miserable with your present job, you might be tempted to dive straight into applying at any opportunity – overlooking personal fulfillment.

Yet, this can be a major error.

Instead, she suggests a technique known as "scanning" – focusing your search down to role profiles that seem appealing.

She advises browsing professional networks and collecting a selection of that appeal to you.

"Identify {the words|the

Regina Anderson
Regina Anderson

A passionate gamer and rewards expert, sharing insights to help players maximize their gaming achievements.