We Were Fired, and We're Embracing It – Here's How to Find a New Role That Suits Your Needs

A new year's onset is often a period for contemplation, and for many, that involves evaluating our work lives.

A pair of editors who were made redundant from their positions following company reorganizations initially felt their world had ended.

"I invested my heart into that role... I trusted in the values we stood for. But in my case, those principles were absent," one of them remarks.

The two decided to employ the word "fired" and argue that being open about what happened can aid you handle it.

"We use numerous alternative phrases for losing a job. However, the quicker you own it, the sooner you're honest regarding it, the sooner you can move on.

"That is the direct path to whatever you want to pursue next," she continues.

Now, they are excelling in different roles, with one running a media business and another serving as top editor at a prestigious publication.

Whether you've been laid off or are considering a shift, consider these four strategies for guidance.

1. Contemplate The Previous Year

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

A careers coach highlights the necessity of looking back prior to launching a new job search.

She encourages professionals to evaluate what they wish to pursue more, what they want less of, and which factors motivates or depletes their energy.

Looking back at your accomplishments to identify underlying threads is also beneficial. "Try not to just looking at the last month, as people often have a tendency for recency bias that can hinder clear thinking," she states.

Another professional notes it is vital to decide where your work plays in your life.

This involves being truthful about how much time you devote to work and the influence on your social life.

After being let go, she suggests preventing your identity be dictated by your job.

2. Take Gradual Moves

She says people can make incremental moves towards a career shift without diving in headfirst.

She herself took several years to transition from her corporate career to running her own company completely, building her idea while still employed, which enabled she could pay herself.

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

She advocates for an experimental strategy.

This could be volunteer work, joining a professional project that interests you, or accepting a different task at your present job.

"If it fails, you discover it's not a fit, but it's better to learn now than after you've committed fully," she states.

She also encourages considering interim roles. These may not be the ideal job, yet they function as a step forward, for example a position with similarities to the career you want, though not in the exact area.

"It's about granting yourself the permission to say this works for now, however, that is not permanent.

"This is an intelligent strategy for moving nearer to that new career."

3. Recall Your Successes

For anyone who has recently lost your position, you are not the only one – layoff figures have risen significantly recently.

A former editor was editor-in-chief for a fashion publication, previously she and her team were laid off following a decision to ceased print operations.

Understanding that this situation did not reflect of her ability allowed her to cope with the situation.

"What you've learned remains with you simply due to were let go.

"Don't give up your confidence, it's crucial for everybody to remember their own worth."

Another professional was let go after ten years at a financial magazine after a change at the top and the hiring of a new editor.

She emphasizes that much of the embarrassment of job loss is self-imposed.

"With many professionals losing jobs, it's rarely personal. It's probably very much not you, so don't carry that feeling forward."

4. Create a Job Search List

If you're urgently looking for work or are profoundly unhappy with your present job, it can be tempting to jump at at any opportunity – ignoring your own happiness.

But this is a big misstep.

Rather, she recommends a method called "scanning" – narrowing your search on role profiles that sound interesting.

She suggests searching professional networks and collecting a selection of that you like.

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