The start of a new year is a time to reflect on your career. But sometimes reflection comes with a twist, like losing your job.
Editors Kristina O’Neill and Laura Brown both faced this after company restructures. At first, they felt crushed.
“I put everything into my role. I believed in what we were doing. But when it came to me, those values weren’t there,” says Laura.
Instead of softening the truth, they chose to be honest and say they were fired. Being upfront about it helps you process what happened and move on faster.
“There are so many ways people avoid saying it, but owning it quickly helps you focus on what’s next,” Laura adds.
Now, they’re thriving. Laura runs her own media company, and Kristina is editor in chief at Sotheby’s magazine. Here’s how they—and career experts—suggest navigating the path to your next job.
1. Think About What You Really Want
Feeling low after losing a job is normal, especially after a break like the holidays.
Sarah Ellis, co-founder of Squiggly Careers, says the first step is reflecting before you jump into applications.
Ask yourself: What do I want more of in my work? What drains me? Look at your successes over the past year, not just recent weeks, to spot patterns.
Laura also recommends considering how work fits in your life. Think about the time and energy your job takes, and how it affects your family and social life. Losing a job doesn’t define you
2. Take Small, Thoughtful Steps
You don’t need to make a sudden career jump. Sarah spent seven years moving from corporate work to running her own company, starting small while still employed.
A “try before you buy” approach can include volunteering, joining new projects at work, or exploring tasks outside your usual role. Even if it’s not perfect, it’s better to test the waters before diving in.
Bridging roles are also useful—jobs that aren’t your dream role but give you relevant experience and skills. Small steps help you get closer to your goal without feeling overwhelmed.
3. Remember Your Achievements
Being fired doesn’t erase your experience or abilities. Redundancy rates are at their highest since 2021, so losing a job is often about circumstance, not your performance.
Laura was editor in chief of a style magazine before it shut down. Realizing her skills still mattered helped her move forward.
Kristina, who lost her job after 10 years at a financial magazine, says most of the shame of being fired is in your head. “It’s usually not personal. Don’t carry that shame. Remember your value,” she says.
4. Create a Career Checklist
When you’re desperate or unhappy, it’s tempting to apply for any job. That often leads to wasted effort.
Sarah recommends “scanning” job listings to see which ones genuinely interest you. Pick 10 to 15 roles that stand out, and note the skills, responsibilities, and values that keep coming up.
This helps you create a personal career checklist and focus your applications on roles that fit you. Laura adds that thinking about what has made you happy—or unhappy—in past jobs can reveal passions you may have forgotten.
