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A new year's onset is frequently a moment for introspection, and for many, that includes thinking about our professional paths.

A pair of editors who were made redundant from their roles due to organizational changes originally thought it was catastrophic.

"I poured everything into that role... I trusted in the values we stood for. Yet, when it came to me, those values didn't apply," she says.

They both opted to use the term "fired" and argue that being transparent about it can assist you handle the experience.

"People rely on numerous alternative phrases for being dismissed. However, the quicker you own it, the quicker you're truthful about it, the quicker you can progress.

"That is the direct path to anything you wish next," she continues.

Currently, they are thriving in new ventures, where one running her own media company and another serving as top editor for a high-end journal.

For those who have lost your job or are just looking for a new career, consider these four strategies that can help.

1. Consider The Previous Year

It's common to feel some unease concerning your career post-festive period.

A career expert highlights the importance of introspection before starting a new job search.

She suggests people to consider what they desire to pursue more, what they want less of, and what energizes or exhausts them.

Examining your past successes to spot underlying threads is also beneficial. "Try to avoid focusing solely on the most recent period, since everyone suffer from for recent-event bias that can hinder the process," she states.

A former editor notes it is important to establish the role of work occupies in your life.

This requires being candid about the amount of time you spend working and its impact on your social and family life.

Following her job loss, she suggests preventing your identity be defined by your career.

2. Make Gradual Moves

She notes that professionals can take small steps towards changing careers without a complete leap.

She took seven years to move from her corporate career to running a company completely, developing her project alongside her job, which allowed self-funding from the start.

"It needed a bit longer, but that was my approach in a sustainable way," she comments.

She advocates for an experimental method.

This might involve volunteering, getting involved in a professional project that captures your interest, or agreeing to something different in your existing role.

"The worst outcome, you find out that area isn't for you, but it's better to find out now instead of after you've made the move," she states.

Additionally, she suggests looking into short-term "bridging roles". They are perhaps not the ideal job, but they act as a step forward, such as a role with parallels to the career you want, though not in the exact industry or sector.

"It's about giving yourself the permission to accept this is suitable temporarily, but that isn't for all time.

"That represents a clever tactic to get much closer to your desired transition."

3. Recall Your Accomplishments

If you've recently been made redundant from your role, many are in the same boat – layoff figures have surged markedly recently.

A former editor was editor-in-chief at a style magazine, but in 2022 she and her team were made redundant following a decision to closed the print version.

Recognizing that this event was not indicative of her performance helped her process the change.

"Your experience doesn't disappear simply due to were let go.

"Don't give up your self-worth, it's important for everybody to recall their own value."

Her colleague was let go after ten years in a business journal due to leadership changes in senior ranks and the appointment of a different editor.

She emphasizes that much of the stigma of dismissal is in your head.

"Considering the vast numbers of professionals losing jobs, it's rarely personal. It's likely not your fault, so avoid carrying that ball of shame unnecessarily."

4. Develop a Job Search List

If you're urgently looking for employment or are deeply dissatisfied in your current role, it can be tempting to jump at for any job – overlooking personal fulfillment.

But this is a significant mistake.

Instead, she suggests a technique known as "browsing" – focusing your search to only position summaries that sound interesting.

She recommends browsing job platforms and collecting a selection of that seem promising.

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