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A new year's onset is frequently a period for contemplation, and for a lot of us, that encompasses considering our work lives.

Two publishing professionals who lost their positions after corporate restructures initially felt their world had ended.

"I invested everything into the job... I had faith in the principles we promoted. But in my case, those principles were absent," a former editor remarks.

The two opted to use the term "dismissed" and suggest that being transparent about what happened can help you handle it.

"There are so many alternative phrases for losing a job. However, the quicker you accept it, the sooner you're honest about it, the faster you can advance.

"It's the direct path to anything you wish to pursue next," she continues.

Today, they are thriving in different roles, with one owning her own firm and another working as lead editor for a luxury magazine.

If you've been made redundant or are contemplating a change, here are four strategies that can help.

1. Contemplate The Past Year

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

A career expert emphasizes the necessity of introspection prior to launching a fresh job hunt.

She advises professionals to evaluate what they wish to pursue more, what to decrease, and what inspires or drains their drive.

Examining your achievements to identify common themes can also help. "Avoid considering only the last month, since everyone exhibit for recency bias that can hinder your judgment," she notes.

Another professional notes it is crucial to establish the role of work plays in your life.

This means being honest about the amount of time you're working and the influence on your social and social life.

After her own experience, she suggests against letting yourself be defined by your career.

2. Take Small Steps

The advisor notes that professionals can make small steps for a career transition without a complete leap.

Her own journey took seven years to transition from a traditional job to operating a company full-time, working on her project concurrently with her role, which meant she could pay herself.

"It needed a bit longer, however, that was how I did it without risk," she explains.

She recommends a test-run approach.

This might involve pro bono work, getting involved in a work project that captures your interest, or accepting something different in your existing role.

"The worst outcome, you learn you don't like, but it's better to learn now than after you've committed fully," she remarks.

She also advises considering short-term "bridging roles". These might not be the dream position, but they act as progress forward, for example a position that shares traits to your target field, but in a different industry or sector.

"It involves allowing yourself the permission to acknowledge this is good for now, however, that is not the same as forever.

"This is a clever tactic for moving nearer to a career change."

3. Recall Your Accomplishments

Should you have recently lost your position, you are not the only one – layoff figures have surged significantly in recent times.

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

Understanding that this event was not indicative of her performance assisted her handle the transition.

"What you've learned doesn't go away simply due to were let go.

"Don't give up your power, it's vital for everyone to remember their intrinsic value."

Her colleague was fired after ten years at a financial magazine after a change at the top and the appointment of new leadership.

She notes that much of the embarrassment of dismissal is self-imposed.

"With many professionals losing jobs, it's usually not about you. Chances are not your fault, so avoid carrying that burden of shame unnecessarily."

4. Build a Professional Checklist

For those who are actively hunting for a new job or feel utterly miserable in your current role, you might be tempted to apply hastily for any job – disregarding what suits you.

But this is a major error.

Rather, she recommends an exercise called "browsing" – filtering opportunities on job descriptions that capture your interest.

She advises searching sites like LinkedIn and saving a selection of that you like.

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