The start of a new year is often a period for contemplation, and for numerous people, that includes thinking about our career trajectories.
A pair of editors who left their jobs due to organizational changes initially felt their world had ended.
"I poured my heart into the position... I trusted in the ethos we championed. However, regarding my situation, those values didn't apply," a former editor states.
Both individuals opted to say "fired" and argue that being transparent about it can help you deal with the event.
"There are so many euphemisms for being dismissed. Yet, the sooner you own it, the sooner you're truthful regarding it, the quicker you can progress.
"That's the direct path to what you desire next," she continues.
Today, they are thriving in different roles, where one owning her own firm and the other working as top editor at a prestigious publication.
Whether you've been made redundant or are looking for a new career, these are four strategies for guidance.
It's natural to feel some unease about work post-festive period.
A career expert emphasizes the value of looking back before starting the search for a new role.
She encourages people to consider what they desire to increase, what to decrease, and what energizes or exhausts their energy.
Reviewing your past successes to identify common themes is also beneficial. "Try not to considering only the recent past, as people often have a tendency to focus on the recent that can obstruct the process," she states.
Another professional says it is vital to determine where your work fits in your life.
This means being candid regarding the hours you devote to work and its impact on your social and social life.
After being let go, she recommends preventing your identity be shaped solely by your career.
The expert states that individuals can take small steps for a career transition without diving in headfirst.
She herself took seven years to move from a traditional job to operating her own business full-time, building the venture concurrently with her role, which meant financial stability.
"It needed a bit longer, but that represented how I did it without risk," she says.
She suggests a "try before you buy" method.
This can include pro bono work, getting involved in an initiative you find appealing, or agreeing to a different task in your existing role.
"Worst case scenario, you learn it's not a fit, but it's better to learn now instead of after you've made the move," she remarks.
She also advises exploring short-term "bridging roles". They are perhaps not the perfect role, but they serve as progress forward, for example a position with similarities to your target field, yet not in the same field.
"It involves giving yourself the space to say this is good for now, but that does not mean permanent.
"That can be a very smart strategy for moving nearer to that career change."
For anyone who has recently been made redundant from your position, you are not the only one – layoff figures have risen markedly recently.
One professional held a senior role in a magazine, but a few years ago she and her team were made redundant when the firm ceased print operations.
Recognizing that this was not indicative of her skills allowed her to process the change.
"The skills you've gained doesn't disappear simply due to were dismissed.
"Don't relinquish your power, it's crucial for everybody to recognize their intrinsic value."
The other editor lost her job after a decade at a financial magazine after a change in management and the arrival of a different editor.
She emphasizes that much of the embarrassment associated with being fired is in your head.
"Considering the vast numbers of people being laid off, it's not personal. Chances are not about you, so don't carry that ball of shame forward."
If you're desperately seeking work or are profoundly unhappy at work, the temptation is to dive straight into applying at any opportunity – disregarding what suits you.
However, this represents a big misstep.
Rather, she recommends a technique known as "reviewing" – filtering opportunities to only role profiles that capture your interest.
She recommends searching sites like LinkedIn and gathering around 10 to 15 that seem promising.
"Identify {the words|the
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