🔗 Share this article We Were Dismissed, and We Accept It – Here's How to Land a Fresh Position That Suits You Personally Experts discuss their journey after job loss in a new book. The beginning of a new year is frequently a moment for introspection, and for many, that encompasses thinking about our professional paths. Two publishing professionals who were made redundant from their roles due to organizational changes originally thought it was catastrophic. "I poured everything into the job... I trusted in the ethos we promoted. But in my case, those principles weren't there," one of them remarks. The two opted to say "fired" and argue that being transparent about the situation can assist you process it. "People rely on numerous alternative phrases for losing a job. However, the quicker you accept it, the quicker you're candid regarding it, the sooner you can progress. "That is the direct path to what you wish to do next," she adds. Now, they are thriving in new positions, where one leading a media business and the other serving as top editor for a luxury magazine. If you've lost your job or are just looking for a new career, consider these four approaches for guidance. 1. Contemplate Last Year It's common to experience some unease regarding your job following time off. A professional advisor stresses the importance of reflection before embarking on a new job search. She advises individuals to think about what they desire to do more of, what to reduce, and which factors motivates or depletes them. Reviewing your achievements to find underlying threads is useful too. "Avoid focusing solely on the most recent period, because we all exhibit for recency bias that can hinder clear thinking," she adds. A former editor says it is crucial to establish the role of work occupies in your life. This requires being truthful about the amount of time you're working and its effect on your personal and social life. After her own experience, she suggests against letting your life be defined by your career. 2. Take Incremental Actions The advisor says people can make gradual progress towards changing careers without a complete leap. She took several years to move from a corporate role to operating her own business entirely, building her project while still employed, which enabled financial stability. "It required a bit longer, but that represented the method I used sustainably," she says. She advocates for an experimental method. This might involve pro bono work, participating in a professional project that interests you, or saying yes to a different task in your existing role. "Worst case scenario, you discover it's not a fit, however, it's wiser to find out now instead of after you've committed fully," she states. Additionally, she suggests looking into temporary "stepping-stone" positions. These may not be the ideal job, but they act as a move forward, such as a role that shares traits to your target field, but in a different field. "It's about allowing yourself the leeway to accept this is suitable temporarily, however, that is not for all time. "That can be a very smart tactic for moving closer to your desired transition." 3. Acknowledge Your Achievements For anyone who has just left your position, many are in the same boat – layoff figures have increased significantly in recent times. A former editor held a senior role at a style magazine, but a few years ago she and her team were made redundant following a decision to closed the print version. Understanding that this was not a reflection of her ability allowed her to process the change. "The skills you've gained doesn't go away simply due to lost your job. "Don't relinquish your self-worth, it's important for all individuals to recognize their own worth." Another professional was fired after a decade at a financial magazine after a change at the top and the arrival of a new editor. She emphasizes that so much of the embarrassment of dismissal is in your head. "Given that hundreds of thousands of people being laid off, it's rarely personal. Chances are not your fault, so don't carry that burden of shame unnecessarily." 4. Develop a Job Search List For those who are actively hunting for employment or are utterly miserable at work, you might be tempted to apply hastily for any job – disregarding your own happiness. But this is a big misstep. Instead, she suggests a technique known as "browsing" – filtering opportunities to only role profiles that capture your interest. She suggests exploring job platforms and saving a selection of that seem promising. "Look for {the words|the