We Got Dismissed, and We Accept It – This Is How to Land a New Role That Suits Your Needs

The start of a new year is often a time for reflection, and for many, that includes evaluating our work lives.

A pair of editors who were made redundant from their positions due to organizational changes originally thought it was catastrophic.

"I dedicated everything into the position... I had faith in the principles we stood for. Yet, when it came to me, that ethos weren't there," a former editor remarks.

They both opted to use the term "let go" and suggest that being honest about the situation can assist you handle the experience.

"People rely on so many alternative phrases for being dismissed. Yet, the sooner you accept it, the sooner you're honest about it, the faster you can move on.

"That's the quickest route to anything you wish to do next," she adds.

Today, they are thriving in different roles, where one leading a media business and the other working as lead editor for a luxury magazine.

Whether you've been made redundant or are contemplating a change, these are four strategies for guidance.

1. Contemplate The Past Year

It's common to have a bit low regarding your job post-festive period.

A career expert stresses the necessity of introspection before starting the search for a new role.

She suggests individuals to think about what they wish to pursue more, what to reduce, and what energizes or exhausts their energy.

Reviewing your achievements to identify underlying threads can also help. "Avoid considering only the most recent period, since everyone suffer from for recency bias that can hinder clear thinking," she notes.

A former editor states it is crucial to decide what place your job occupies in your life.

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

After her own experience, she suggests not allowing your identity be defined by your job.

2. Implement Incremental Actions

The expert says people can implement incremental moves towards a career shift without committing fully.

She required a long period to transition from a traditional job to operating her own company entirely, working on her idea while still employed, which allowed financial stability.

"It required additional time, but that represented my approach without risk," she explains.

She suggests a test-run approach.

This can include volunteering, getting involved in a work project that interests you, or accepting a different task within your current team.

"Worst case scenario, you find out you don't like, however, it's wiser to find out now instead of after you've made the move," she states.

Additionally, she suggests exploring short-term "bridging roles". These might not be the dream position, but they act as a step in the right direction, for example a position with similarities to your target field, yet not in the same area.

"It's about giving yourself the leeway to acknowledge this is good for now, however, that is not the same as forever.

"That represents a clever approach for moving closer to a new career."

3. Acknowledge Your Successes

Should you have recently lost your role, many are in the same boat – redundancy rates have risen significantly in recent times.

She was editor-in-chief for a fashion publication, but in 2022 she and her team were made redundant after the company closed the print version.

Realizing that this situation was not a reflection of her performance allowed her to cope with the situation.

"Your experience remains with you just because you were dismissed.

"Do not surrender your confidence, it's vital for everybody to recognize their intrinsic value."

The other editor was fired after a decade at a financial magazine due to leadership changes in management and the appointment of a new editor.

She emphasizes that so much of the embarrassment of job loss is internal.

"Given that hundreds of thousands of professionals losing jobs, it's not personal. It's likely not about you, so don't carry that ball of shame around with you."

4. Create a Job Search List

For those who are actively hunting for work or are profoundly unhappy in your current role, it can be tempting to dive straight into applying for any job – overlooking your own happiness.

Yet, this can be a significant mistake.

Alternatively, she proposes a method called "reviewing" – filtering opportunities on role profiles that seem appealing.

She recommends searching job platforms and collecting around 10 to 15 that appeal to you.

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