We Were Fired, and We're Embracing It – Here's How to Secure a New Job That Fits You Personally

The beginning of a new year is frequently a time for reflection, and for a lot of us, that involves thinking about our career trajectories.

A pair of editors who lost their positions after corporate restructures initially felt it was catastrophic.

"I invested everything into the position... I believed in the principles we promoted. Yet, when it came to me, that ethos were absent," she says.

The two decided to employ the word "let go" and argue that being open about it can help you process it.

"There are so many alternative phrases for losing a job. However, the quicker you own it, the faster you're candid about it, the quicker you can move on.

"That's the quickest route to anything you want to pursue next," she adds.

Now, they are thriving in new ventures, where one owning her own firm and another holding the position of lead editor for a luxury magazine.

If you've lost your job or are simply looking for a new career, these are four approaches that can help.

1. Reflect On Last Year

It's natural to experience some unease regarding your job after a holiday break.

A professional advisor highlights the necessity of introspection before starting a new job search.

She suggests professionals to evaluate what they wish to do more of, what they want less of, and the things that inspires or drains their drive.

Examining your accomplishments to identify recurring patterns can also help. "Try to avoid considering only the most recent period, because we all exhibit for recency bias that can obstruct your judgment," she states.

A former editor notes it is important to determine what place your job plays in your life.

This means being candid regarding the hours you devote to work and the influence on your social life.

Following her job loss, she recommends against letting your life be defined by your job.

2. Make Small Steps

She notes that professionals can take small steps towards changing careers without committing fully.

She took seven years to move from her corporate career to operating a company entirely, building the venture while still employed, which meant self-funding from the start.

"It needed additional time, but that represented my approach in a sustainable way," she says.

She advocates for a "try before you buy" approach.

This could be pro bono work, getting involved in a professional project you find appealing, or agreeing to a new challenge at your present job.

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

Additionally, she suggests exploring interim roles. These might not be the perfect role, but they act as a move towards your goal, for example a position with parallels to the career you want, but in a different area.

"It's about granting yourself the leeway to acknowledge this works for now, however, that is not for all time.

"That represents a very smart strategy for getting much closer to your desired transition."

3. Recall Your Achievements

If you've just left your position, many are in the same boat – layoff figures have surged markedly lately.

She was the top editor for a fashion publication, but in 2022 her entire team were laid off after the company ceased print operations.

Realizing that this event was not indicative of her performance helped her process the change.

"The skills you've gained remains with you because you were let go.

"Don't relinquish your self-worth, it's important for everybody to recall their intrinsic value."

Another professional was fired following a long tenure with a finance publication due to leadership changes in management and the arrival of new leadership.

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

"Given that hundreds of thousands of professionals losing jobs, it's usually not about you. It's likely not your fault, so don't carry that feeling forward."

4. Build a Job Search List

If you're actively hunting for work or are deeply dissatisfied in your current role, the temptation is to jump at for any job – disregarding what suits you.

But this is a significant mistake.

Instead, she suggests a technique known as "reviewing" – filtering opportunities to only role profiles that seem appealing.

She recommends exploring sites like LinkedIn and gathering a selection of that you like.

"Look for {the words|the