We Got Let Go, and We Accept It – Here's How to Land a New Job That Works for You

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

Two editors who were made redundant from their jobs due to organizational changes at first believed it was a disaster.

"I invested everything into the position... I believed in the principles we stood for. But in my case, those values were absent," one of them remarks.

They both decided to employ the word "fired" and suggest that being honest about the situation can aid you deal with the experience.

"There are countless euphemisms for losing a job. But the faster you own it, the quicker you're candid about it, the faster you can advance.

"That's the direct path to anything you wish to pursue next," she adds.

Currently, they are succeeding in different roles, where one leading her own media company and another serving as top editor at a prestigious publication.

Whether you've been laid off or are contemplating a change, these are four approaches that can help.

1. Reflect On Last Year

It's common to have some unease regarding your job after a holiday break.

A professional advisor highlights the importance of looking back prior to launching a fresh job hunt.

She suggests people to consider what they wish to increase, what to decrease, and the things that inspires or drains them.

Looking back at your achievements to identify underlying threads can also help. "Try to avoid focusing solely on the last month, as people often exhibit for recent-event bias that can hinder the process," she notes.

Another professional states it is vital to establish the role of work fits in your life.

This means being truthful about the amount of time you spend working and its impact on your personal and social life.

Following her job loss, she suggests against letting your identity be dictated by your job.

2. Implement Incremental Actions

The expert notes that professionals can make incremental moves towards a career shift without a complete leap.

Her own journey took seven years to move from a corporate role to managing a company completely, working on the venture while still employed, which enabled she could pay herself.

"It needed additional time, but that was my approach sustainably," she explains.

She suggests a test-run approach.

This can include volunteering, participating in an initiative that captures your interest, or accepting a new challenge within your current team.

"Worst case scenario, you learn you don't like, but it's preferable to know now rather than after you've switched careers," she remarks.

Additionally, she suggests considering interim roles. These might not be the dream position, but they act as a move forward, for example a position with similarities to your desired career, yet not in the same field.

"It's about allowing yourself the space to accept this works for now, but that isn't for all time.

"That represents an intelligent approach for moving closer to your career change."

3. Remember Your Accomplishments

For anyone who has recently been made redundant from your position, many are in the same boat – layoff figures have increased significantly in recent times.

One professional was the top editor at a style magazine, but a few years ago her entire team were laid off when the firm discontinued the physical magazine.

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

"Your experience doesn't disappear just because you lost your job.

"Don't give up your power, it's vital for all individuals to recognize their own value."

Her colleague lost her job after a decade with a finance publication after a change in senior ranks and the arrival of a different editor.

She emphasizes that much of the stigma of dismissal is in your head.

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

4. Create a Professional Checklist

If you're actively hunting for a new job or feel utterly miserable at work, it can be tempting to apply hastily for any vacancy – overlooking what suits you.

However, this represents a significant mistake.

Rather, she recommends an exercise called "browsing" – narrowing your search to only job descriptions that sound interesting.

She recommends browsing sites like LinkedIn and collecting a selection of that seem promising.

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