🔗 Share this article

The beginning of a new year can be a moment for introspection, and for numerous people, that includes considering our work lives.

Two publishing professionals who left their jobs after corporate restructures initially felt their world had ended.

"I poured everything into the position... I believed in the values we stood for. However, regarding my situation, that ethos were absent," one of them says.

They both opted to employ the word "let go" and suggest that being transparent about the situation can aid you deal with the event.

"We use countless alternative phrases for losing a job. Yet, the sooner you acknowledge it, the quicker you're truthful regarding it, the sooner you can move on.

"That's the fast track to anything you desire next," she continues.

Currently, they are excelling in new ventures, where one owning her own media company and the other holding the position of editor-in-chief for a high-end journal.

If you've lost your job or are contemplating a change, consider these four methods to assist you.

1. Contemplate The Previous Year

It's typical to have some apprehension about work post-festive period.

A careers coach emphasizes the necessity of reflection before embarking on the search for a new role.

She encourages individuals to think about what they desire to pursue more, what to reduce, and what inspires or drains their energy.

Reviewing your past successes to find recurring patterns is useful too. "Try not to just looking at the last month, as people often exhibit for recent-event bias that can hinder clear thinking," she notes.

Another professional notes it is important to determine the role of work plays in your life.

This requires being truthful about how much time you spend working and its impact on your social life.

Following her job loss, she suggests against letting your life be shaped solely by your career.

2. Make Gradual Moves

The advisor says people can make small steps for a career transition without diving in headfirst.

Her own journey took several years to make the jump from a traditional job to operating her own business full-time, building the venture alongside her job, which allowed self-funding from the start.

"It took a bit longer, but that was how I did it without risk," she comments.

She advocates for a "try before you buy" strategy.

This might involve volunteer work, joining a work project that captures your interest, or accepting something different in your existing role.

"Worst case scenario, you find out it's not a fit, but it's preferable to find out now rather than after you've switched careers," she remarks.

Additionally, she suggests looking into temporary "stepping-stone" positions. These might not be the ideal job, yet they function as a step forward, like a job with parallels to your desired career, yet not in the same industry or sector.

"It's about allowing yourself the space to acknowledge this is suitable temporarily, but that does not mean the same as forever.

"This is an intelligent strategy to get closer to a desired transition."

3. Acknowledge Your Achievements

For anyone who has recently lost your role, many are in the same boat – layoff figures have increased markedly recently.

A former editor was the top editor at a style magazine, previously she lost their jobs after the company discontinued the physical magazine.

Realizing that this did not reflect of her ability allowed her to process the change.

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

"Do not surrender your self-worth, it's vital for all individuals to recall their intrinsic value."

The other editor lost her job after ten years in a business journal after a change in management and the appointment of a new editor.

She emphasizes that much of the shame associated with being fired is internal.

"Given that hundreds of thousands of individuals facing redundancy, it's usually not about you. Chances are very much not you, so don't carry that ball of shame unnecessarily."

4. Create a Job Search List

When you're actively hunting for a new job or feel profoundly unhappy in your current role, you might be tempted to jump at at any opportunity – ignoring your own happiness.

However, this represents a big misstep.

Instead, she suggests a technique known as "scanning" – narrowing your search on position summaries that seem appealing.

She recommends searching job platforms and gathering around 10 to 15 that you like.

"Look for {the words|the