The start of a new year can be a period for contemplation, and for many, that encompasses thinking about our work lives.
A pair of editors who lost their roles due to organizational changes originally thought it was catastrophic.
"I dedicated all my energy into the position... I had faith in the ethos we promoted. But in my case, that ethos weren't there," she states.
Both individuals decided to use the term "dismissed" and suggest that being honest about what happened can help you handle it.
"There are numerous euphemisms for job loss. But the faster you own it, the faster you're truthful about it, the quicker you can move on.
"That's the quickest route to anything you wish to do next," she continues.
Now, they are thriving in different roles, where one running her own media company and another holding the position of editor-in-chief for a high-end journal.
If you've lost your job or are just contemplating a change, consider these four approaches to assist you.
It's typical to experience some apprehension concerning your career after a holiday break.
A careers coach stresses the importance of reflection before starting a fresh job hunt.
She advises professionals to evaluate what they want to pursue more, what to decrease, and which factors inspires or drains their drive.
Looking back at your past successes to identify underlying threads is also beneficial. "Try not to focusing solely on the recent past, since everyone have a tendency for recency bias that can obstruct clear thinking," she states.
She also states it is important to determine what place your job occupies in your life.
This means being candid about the amount of time you're working and the influence on your personal and family life.
Following her job loss, she advises preventing yourself be defined by your career.
The expert says people can implement gradual progress towards a career shift without diving in headfirst.
Her own journey required a long period to make the jump from a corporate role to operating her own company full-time, developing her idea alongside her job, which meant self-funding from the start.
"It took a bit longer, however, that was the method I used without risk," she explains.
She suggests a test-run strategy.
This could be pro bono work, joining a work project that interests you, or saying yes to a new challenge within your current team.
"The worst outcome, you discover that area isn't for you, but it's preferable to learn now than after you've committed fully," she states.
Additionally, she suggests exploring short-term "bridging roles". These may not be the ideal job, yet they function as progress forward, like a job with parallels to the career you want, but in a different field.
"It's about allowing yourself the permission to say this is good for now, however, that is not permanent.
"That can be a very smart tactic to get much closer to a desired transition."
Should you have recently been made redundant from your role, you are not the only one – layoff figures have surged to high levels recently.
A former editor held a senior role in a magazine, previously she and her team were laid off after the company ceased print operations.
Understanding that this situation did not reflect of her performance allowed her to cope with the situation.
"What you've learned doesn't disappear because you lost your job.
"Don't give up your confidence, it's vital for all individuals to recall their own value."
The other editor lost her job after ten years with a finance publication after a change in senior ranks and the appointment of a different editor.
She notes that so much of the shame of dismissal is in your head.
"Considering the vast numbers of individuals facing redundancy, it's rarely personal. It's probably not about you, so don't carry that ball of shame unnecessarily."
When you're urgently looking for employment or are deeply dissatisfied with your present job, the temptation is to jump at at any opportunity – disregarding personal fulfillment.
However, this represents a major error.
Rather, she recommends a technique known as "reviewing" – filtering opportunities down to position summaries that capture your interest.
She recommends searching job platforms and collecting around 10 to 15 that appeal to you.
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