A new year's onset is frequently a period for contemplation, and for a lot of us, that involves thinking about our work lives.
Two publishing professionals who left their positions due to organizational changes initially felt their world had ended.
"I poured all my energy into that role... I trusted in the ethos we promoted. But in my case, those principles weren't there," a former editor states.
They both decided to use the term "fired" and suggest that being transparent about it can assist you process the event.
"People rely on countless euphemisms for job loss. Yet, the sooner you accept it, the sooner you're honest regarding it, the faster you can advance.
"That's the direct path to what you desire to do next," she continues.
Now, they are thriving in different roles, where one running her own firm and another serving as top editor for a high-end journal.
For those who have been made redundant or are just looking for a new career, consider these four strategies that can help.
It's typical to feel some unease concerning your career after a holiday break.
A professional advisor highlights the necessity of reflection before embarking on a fresh job hunt.
She suggests people to consider what they desire to pursue more, what to decrease, and the things that inspires or drains them.
Reviewing your accomplishments to identify recurring patterns can also help. "Try not to focusing solely on the last month, as people often have a tendency to focus on the recent that can impede your judgment," she notes.
Another professional says it is crucial to establish the role of work fits in your life.
This requires being honest about the amount of time you spend working and its impact on your social life.
After her own experience, she suggests preventing yourself be dictated by your work.
She states that individuals can implement small steps for a career transition without committing fully.
Her own journey took seven years to make the jump from a corporate role to managing a company full-time, working on the venture while still employed, which enabled financial stability.
"It required more time, but that represented how I did it in a sustainable way," she explains.
She advocates for a test-run method.
This can include volunteering, getting involved in an initiative that interests you, or agreeing to something different within your current team.
"The worst outcome, you find out you don't like, but it's better to find out now rather than after you've committed fully," she remarks.
She also advises exploring interim roles. They are perhaps not the ideal job, but they serve as a move in the right direction, such as a role that shares traits to your target field, though not in the exact industry or sector.
"It's about granting yourself the leeway to say this is good for now, but that isn't permanent.
"That can be a very smart strategy to get much closer to your new career."
If you've recently lost your job, many are in the same boat – job cuts have surged significantly lately.
She held a senior role in a magazine, but in 2022 she and her team lost their jobs following a decision to closed the print version.
Realizing that this event did not reflect of her ability assisted her cope with the situation.
"The skills you've gained doesn't disappear just because you were dismissed.
"Don't give up your self-worth, it's crucial for everybody to recall their own value."
Her colleague was let go after ten years with a finance publication due to leadership changes in management and the appointment of a different editor.
She notes that so much of the embarrassment of dismissal is in your head.
"With many people being laid off, it's rarely personal. Chances are very much not you, so refrain from bearing that ball of shame unnecessarily."
When you're urgently looking for a new job or feel deeply dissatisfied with your present job, you might be tempted to dive straight into applying at any opportunity – disregarding your own happiness.
Yet, this can be a big misstep.
Rather, she recommends a method called "reviewing" – filtering opportunities to only job descriptions that seem appealing.
She advises searching job platforms and saving several that seem promising.
"Identify {the words|the
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