We Got Fired, and We Accept It – Learn How to Land a New Job That Suits for You

Two women discussing job changes
Professionals talk about their path after job loss in a recent publication.

The start of a new year can be a moment for introspection, and for many, that involves thinking about our career trajectories.

A pair of editors who left their jobs following company reorganizations at first believed it was catastrophic.

"I invested my heart into the job... I had faith in the values we promoted. Yet, when it came to me, those values were absent," one of them says.

Both individuals decided to say "let go" and argue that being transparent about it can help you process it.

"We use numerous euphemisms for being dismissed. But the faster you accept it, the sooner you're truthful about it, the sooner you can move on.

"That's the direct path to whatever you wish to pursue next," she continues.

Now, they are excelling in new positions, with one leading a media business and another holding the position of top editor for a luxury magazine.

Whether you've been laid off or are just considering a shift, these are four methods that can help.

1. Reflect On The Previous Year

Person thinking about career

It's common to have some unease about work post-festive period.

A careers coach highlights the value of reflection before starting the search for a new role.

She advises people to consider what they wish to increase, what to decrease, and what energizes or exhausts their drive.

Examining your accomplishments to identify underlying threads is useful too. "Try to avoid just looking at the last month, as people often have a tendency for recent-event bias that can obstruct the process," she states.

A former editor says it is vital to determine what place your job plays in your life.

This involves being candid about how much time you're working and the influence on your social and family life.

After her own experience, she advises against letting your life be shaped solely by your job.

2. Implement Incremental Actions

Person taking small steps

The advisor states that individuals can implement small steps towards a career shift without committing fully.

She herself took several years to transition from her corporate career to running her own business entirely, working on the venture alongside her job, which enabled she could pay herself.

"It took additional time, but that was the method I used sustainably," she comments.

She recommends an experimental approach.

This could be volunteering, getting involved in a work project that captures your interest, or agreeing to a different task at your present job.

"The worst outcome, you learn you don't like, but it's preferable to learn now rather than after you've committed fully," she states.

Additionally, she suggests looking into short-term "bridging roles". These might not be the ideal job, but they serve as progress in the right direction, such as a role with parallels to your desired career, though not in the exact area.

"It involves allowing yourself the leeway to acknowledge this works for now, but that isn't for all time.

"That represents a very smart approach for getting much closer to your new career."

3. Acknowledge Your Accomplishments

List of achievements

If you've just left your role, many are in the same boat – layoff figures have risen significantly in recent times.

One professional was editor-in-chief for a fashion publication, previously her entire team lost their jobs after the company closed the print version.

Recognizing that this situation did not reflect of her ability assisted her cope with the situation.

"The skills you've gained doesn't go away simply due to lost your job.

"Do not surrender your self-worth, it's crucial for all individuals to recall their own worth."

Her colleague was let go after a decade with a finance publication following a regime change in senior ranks and the appointment of a different editor.

She notes that much of the stigma associated with being fired is self-imposed.

"Given that hundreds of thousands of professionals losing jobs, it's rarely personal. Chances are not your fault, so avoid carrying that burden of shame forward."

4. Create a Career Checklist

Individual creating a checklist

If you're desperately seeking employment or are deeply dissatisfied with your present job, it can be tempting to dive straight into applying for any vacancy – ignoring personal fulfillment.

Yet, this can be a major error.

Alternatively, she proposes an exercise called "reviewing" – narrowing your search on position summaries that capture your interest.

She suggests searching job platforms and gathering several that appeal to you.

"Identify {the words|the

John Velasquez
John Velasquez

A seasoned casino gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in slot machine mechanics and player strategy development.