🔗 Share this article

The beginning of a new year is frequently a period for contemplation, and for a lot of us, that involves thinking about our professional paths.

Two editors who left their jobs following company reorganizations at first believed their world had ended.

"I dedicated everything into that role... I believed in the values we stood for. But in my case, that ethos didn't apply," she states.

Both individuals chose to employ the word "let go" and argue that being transparent about the situation can assist you deal with the event.

"There are numerous euphemisms for job loss. However, the quicker you acknowledge it, the sooner you're truthful regarding it, the faster you can progress.

"It's the quickest route to what you desire to pursue next," she continues.

Today, they are thriving in new positions, where one owning her own media company and the other holding the position of lead editor for a luxury magazine.

Whether you've been made redundant or are contemplating a change, these are four strategies to assist you.

1. Consider Last Year

It's natural to experience some unease regarding your job post-festive period.

A professional advisor emphasizes the value of introspection prior to launching the search for a new role.

She advises people to consider what they wish to pursue more, what to decrease, and the things that motivates or depletes their energy.

Looking back at your past successes to spot common themes is useful too. "Try not to focusing solely on the most recent period, since everyone have a tendency for recent-event bias that can obstruct the process," she states.

A former editor says it is vital to determine where your work plays in your life.

This means being candid regarding the hours you devote to work and its impact on your family and social life.

After her own experience, she recommends not allowing your life be dictated by your work.

2. Take Gradual Moves

She states that individuals can implement incremental moves towards a career shift without a complete leap.

Her own journey required a long period to transition from a traditional job to running her own business full-time, developing her project alongside her job, which allowed financial stability.

"It took a bit longer, but that represented the method I used without risk," she comments.

She advocates for a test-run approach.

This could be volunteering, participating in an initiative that interests you, or saying yes to a new challenge within your current team.

"If it fails, you find out you don't like, but it's preferable to learn now instead of after you've committed fully," she remarks.

Additionally, she suggests exploring short-term "bridging roles". These might not be the dream position, but they serve as progress in the right direction, such as a role that shares traits to the career you want, yet not in the same area.

"It involves granting yourself the leeway to say this is suitable temporarily, but that does not mean for all time.

"This is a clever approach to get closer to your career change."

3. Recall Your Successes

Should you have recently lost your role, you are not the only one – redundancy rates have risen significantly in recent times.

She held a senior role for a fashion publication, but in 2022 her entire team lost their jobs after the company closed the print version.

Recognizing that this was not a reflection of her performance assisted her process the change.

"Your experience doesn't go away because you lost your job.

"Don't relinquish your self-worth, it's crucial for everybody to remember their own worth."

Her colleague was fired after a decade in a business journal due to leadership changes at the top and the arrival of a different editor.

She emphasizes that much of the shame of dismissal is self-imposed.

"Given that hundreds of thousands of professionals losing jobs, it's not personal. It's probably not about you, so avoid carrying that feeling unnecessarily."

4. Create a Professional Checklist

If you're actively hunting for work or are utterly miserable in your current role, it can be tempting to dive straight into applying at any opportunity – ignoring your own happiness.

However, this represents a big misstep.

Alternatively, she proposes an exercise called "scanning" – narrowing your search to only role profiles that seem appealing.

She suggests browsing professional networks and saving around 10 to 15 that seem promising.

"Look for {the words|the