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The start of a new year is frequently a period for contemplation, and for many, that encompasses considering our professional paths.

A pair of editors who were made redundant from their jobs after corporate restructures at first believed their world had ended.

"I invested everything into that role... I had faith in the ethos we promoted. But in my case, that ethos were absent," a former editor remarks.

The two chose to use the term "fired" and believe that being open about what happened can assist you handle the event.

"We use numerous alternative phrases for being dismissed. Yet, the sooner you acknowledge it, the faster you're candid regarding it, the quicker you can move on.

"It's the fast track to whatever you desire to pursue next," she adds.

Today, they are succeeding in different roles, where one owning her own firm and the other holding the position of editor-in-chief at a prestigious publication.

For those who have lost your job or are looking for a new career, these are four approaches for guidance.

1. Reflect On The Previous Year

It's natural to have a bit low about work following time off.

A careers coach stresses the importance of looking back before embarking on a fresh job hunt.

She advises professionals to evaluate what they want to do more of, what to decrease, and the things that motivates or depletes their drive.

Examining your accomplishments to find common themes is also beneficial. "Try to avoid just looking at the recent past, since everyone exhibit for recent-event bias that can hinder the process," she notes.

Another professional says it is crucial to determine where your work occupies in your life.

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

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

2. Implement Incremental Actions

The expert states that individuals can take incremental moves for a career transition without a complete leap.

Her own journey required a long period to move from her corporate career to managing her own company full-time, working on her idea alongside her job, which meant self-funding from the start.

"It required more time, however, that was how I did it without risk," she comments.

She recommends a test-run method.

This might involve pro bono work, participating in an initiative that captures your interest, or saying yes to a different task within your current team.

"If it fails, you learn you don't like, but it's preferable to know now rather than after you've made the move," she adds.

She also encourages exploring temporary "stepping-stone" positions. These may not be the ideal job, but they serve as progress forward, like a job with parallels to the career you want, though not in the exact industry or sector.

"It's about granting yourself the leeway to acknowledge this is good for now, however, that is not permanent.

"That can be an intelligent strategy to get much closer to your new career."

3. Acknowledge Your Accomplishments

If you've recently been made redundant from your job, many are in the same boat – redundancy rates have increased to high levels lately.

A former editor was editor-in-chief in a magazine, but in 2022 she were laid off following a decision to discontinued the physical magazine.

Understanding that this situation did not reflect of her skills allowed her to process the change.

"The skills you've gained doesn't go away simply due to lost your job.

"Do not surrender your confidence, it's vital for everybody to remember their own value."

The other editor was let go after a decade at a financial magazine due to leadership changes at the top and the arrival of a different editor.

She stresses that so much of the stigma associated with being fired is in your head.

"With many individuals facing redundancy, it's usually not about you. Chances are not your fault, so avoid carrying that feeling around with you."

4. Build a Professional Checklist

For those who are actively hunting for a new job or feel utterly miserable with your present job, the temptation is to dive straight into applying for any vacancy – ignoring what suits you.

However, this represents a big misstep.

Instead, she suggests a method called "scanning" – filtering opportunities to only position summaries that capture your interest.

She recommends searching sites like LinkedIn and collecting several that you like.

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