🔗 Share this article

A new year's onset is frequently a time for reflection, and for a lot of us, that involves thinking about our work lives.

Two publishing professionals who were made redundant from their roles following company reorganizations initially felt it was catastrophic.

"I invested all my energy into the job... I believed in the values we championed. However, regarding my situation, that ethos weren't there," one of them states.

Both individuals opted to say "fired" and argue that being open about the situation can help you handle the experience.

"We use so many alternative phrases for losing a job. Yet, the sooner you own it, the sooner you're truthful regarding it, the faster you can move on.

"It's the direct path to whatever you desire to do next," she adds.

Now, they are excelling in different roles, where one leading a media business and the other working as lead editor at a prestigious publication.

Whether you've lost your job or are just considering a shift, consider these four approaches to assist you.

1. Reflect On Last Year

It's natural to feel some apprehension about work after a holiday break.

A careers coach emphasizes the value of looking back prior to launching the search for a new role.

She encourages individuals to think about what they wish to do more of, what to decrease, and which factors energizes or exhausts their energy.

Looking back at your achievements to identify recurring patterns is useful too. "Try to avoid focusing solely on the recent past, as people often exhibit for recent-event bias that can obstruct the process," she notes.

Another professional states it is important to decide what place your job occupies in your life.

This involves being honest regarding the hours you spend working and the influence on your family and social life.

After her own experience, she recommends preventing your identity be dictated by your work.

2. Implement Gradual Moves

The advisor says people can take incremental moves towards changing careers without diving in headfirst.

She required a long period to transition from a traditional job to managing a company completely, working on her project while still employed, which enabled she could pay herself.

"It needed additional time, but that represented the method I used in a sustainable way," she explains.

She recommends an experimental strategy.

This might involve volunteering, getting involved in a professional project that captures your interest, or agreeing to a different task at your present job.

"The worst outcome, you learn that area isn't for you, but it's preferable to know now than after you've switched careers," she states.

She also advises considering short-term "bridging roles". They are perhaps not the dream position, but they act as progress forward, such as a role with similarities to your desired career, but in a different industry or sector.

"It's about allowing yourself the permission to say this is suitable temporarily, but that isn't permanent.

"This is a clever approach for moving nearer to that career change."

3. Remember Your Achievements

If you've recently lost your role, many are in the same boat – redundancy rates have increased significantly lately.

A former editor held a senior role at a style magazine, previously her entire team were made redundant following a decision to ceased print operations.

Realizing that this situation was not a reflection of her ability helped her handle the transition.

"What you've learned doesn't disappear simply due to lost your job.

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

Another professional was fired following a long tenure in a business journal after a change in senior ranks and the hiring of a different editor.

She stresses that much of the shame associated with being fired is self-imposed.

"With many individuals facing redundancy, it's rarely personal. It's probably not about you, so refrain from bearing that burden of shame forward."

4. Build a Career Checklist

For those who are actively hunting for work or are deeply dissatisfied in your current role, the temptation is to jump at at any opportunity – ignoring personal fulfillment.

But this is a big misstep.

Alternatively, she proposes a technique known as "browsing" – focusing your search down to position summaries that seem appealing.

She advises exploring sites like LinkedIn and collecting a selection of that you like.

"Identify {the words|the