The start of a new year is frequently a time for reflection, and for numerous people, that includes considering our work lives.
Two editors who left their positions following company reorganizations initially felt their world had ended.
"I poured everything into that role... I had faith in the values we stood for. But in my case, those values didn't apply," one of them remarks.
Both individuals decided to employ the word "let go" and believe that being transparent about what happened can aid you handle the event.
"People rely on countless soft terms for losing a job. However, the quicker you accept it, the faster you're truthful about it, the sooner you can progress.
"That's the quickest route to whatever you desire to do next," she continues.
Now, they are excelling in new positions, where one running her own firm and the other working as lead editor at a prestigious publication.
Whether you've lost your job or are just looking for a new career, consider these four approaches for guidance.
It's natural to have some unease concerning your career following time off.
A professional advisor emphasizes the value of introspection prior to launching a fresh job hunt.
She advises individuals to think about what they wish to increase, what they want less of, and what energizes or exhausts their energy.
Reviewing your past successes to identify common themes is also beneficial. "Try not to focusing solely on the most recent period, since everyone have a tendency for recency bias that can impede clear thinking," she notes.
A former editor says it is vital to establish where your work plays in your life.
This requires being truthful regarding the hours you're working and the influence on your family and family life.
After her own experience, she advises not allowing your life be defined by your career.
The expert states that individuals can implement incremental moves towards changing careers without committing fully.
Her own journey took several years to transition from her corporate career to operating her own business completely, building her idea alongside her job, which meant financial stability.
"It took additional time, but that was my approach sustainably," she says.
She suggests a test-run approach.
This could be volunteering, participating in an initiative that captures your interest, or accepting something different within your current team.
"Worst case scenario, you find out it's not a fit, but it's preferable to learn now instead of after you've made the move," she remarks.
She also encourages looking into interim roles. These may not be the dream position, yet they function as progress forward, like a job that shares traits to the career you want, but in a different field.
"It means giving yourself the permission to acknowledge this works for now, however, that is not permanent.
"That represents a clever strategy to get closer to that career change."
For anyone who has just left your role, you aren't alone – layoff figures have risen markedly in recent times.
A former editor was editor-in-chief in a magazine, but in 2022 she and her team were made redundant when the firm closed the print version.
Realizing that this did not reflect of her skills helped her process the change.
"Your experience remains with you just because you lost your job.
"Do not surrender your confidence, it's crucial for everyone to recall their own worth."
The other editor was fired following a long tenure with a finance publication due to leadership changes in senior ranks and the appointment of a new editor.
She emphasizes that a lot of the shame of dismissal is internal.
"With many people being laid off, it's rarely personal. It's probably not your fault, so don't carry that ball of shame around with you."
When you're urgently looking for work or are profoundly unhappy at work, the temptation is to dive straight into applying at any opportunity – disregarding personal fulfillment.
However, this represents a big misstep.
Instead, she suggests a method called "scanning" – narrowing your search to only job descriptions that capture your interest.
She advises browsing sites like LinkedIn and saving around 10 to 15 that seem promising.
"Identify {the words|the
A financial analyst with over a decade of experience in trading and market research, specializing in technical analysis and risk management.