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The beginning of a new year is often a moment for introspection, and for many, that encompasses thinking about our professional paths.

Two editors who were made redundant from their positions following company reorganizations originally thought it was catastrophic.

"I invested all my energy into the position... I believed in the ethos we promoted. However, regarding my situation, that ethos didn't apply," a former editor says.

They both opted to say "dismissed" and suggest that being honest about what happened can assist you deal with the event.

"We use numerous soft terms for job loss. Yet, the sooner you own it, the sooner you're honest about it, the quicker you can move on.

"It's the direct path to whatever you desire to pursue next," she adds.

Now, they are thriving in different roles, with one owning her own firm and the other serving as top editor at a prestigious publication.

Whether you've lost your job or are simply contemplating a change, here are four strategies to assist you.

1. Contemplate The Past Year

It's common to feel a bit low about work following time off.

A careers coach emphasizes the necessity of looking back before embarking on a new job search.

She suggests individuals to think about what they wish to increase, what to decrease, and which factors energizes or exhausts them.

Examining your accomplishments to identify recurring patterns is useful too. "Try not to considering only the last month, since everyone suffer from for recency bias that can hinder clear thinking," she states.

A former editor states it is crucial to determine where your work fits in your life.

This involves being honest regarding the hours you're working and its impact on your family and family life.

Following her job loss, she recommends against letting your identity be dictated by your job.

2. Implement Small Steps

The advisor notes that professionals can implement gradual progress for a career transition without a complete leap.

Her own journey required a long period to make the jump from a traditional job to managing a company full-time, developing her project alongside her job, which enabled financial stability.

"It required a bit longer, but that was the method I used in a sustainable way," she explains.

She advocates for a test-run approach.

This can include volunteer work, getting involved in a work project that captures your interest, or saying yes to something different at your present job.

"If it fails, you learn that area isn't for you, but it's better to find out now than after you've committed fully," she remarks.

She also advises exploring interim roles. They are perhaps not the perfect role, but they serve as a step towards your goal, such as a role with parallels to your target field, though not in the exact field.

"It's about granting yourself the leeway to accept this works for now, however, that is not the same as forever.

"That represents a very smart strategy for getting nearer to a career change."

3. Acknowledge Your Accomplishments

Should you have recently been made redundant from your position, you aren't alone – redundancy rates have increased significantly recently.

One professional was the top editor in a magazine, previously she and her team lost their jobs when the firm discontinued the physical magazine.

Recognizing that this event was not a reflection of her performance allowed her to cope with the situation.

"What you've learned doesn't go away just because you were dismissed.

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

Her colleague was let go after a decade at a financial magazine due to leadership changes in management and the appointment of new leadership.

She stresses that much of the stigma of dismissal is internal.

"With many professionals losing jobs, it's not personal. It's likely not about you, so don't carry that feeling around with you."

4. Develop a Professional Checklist

When you're urgently looking for a new job or feel profoundly unhappy at work, it can be tempting to dive straight into applying for any job – ignoring personal fulfillment.

Yet, this can be a major error.

Alternatively, she proposes a method called "browsing" – narrowing your search on role profiles that seem appealing.

She suggests browsing professional networks and gathering around 10 to 15 that seem promising.

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