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The beginning of a new year is often a period for contemplation, and for a lot of us, that includes evaluating our work lives.

Two editors who lost their jobs due to organizational changes originally thought it was catastrophic.

"I dedicated all my energy into that role... I had faith in the values we championed. But in my case, those principles were absent," a former editor says.

The two opted to employ the word "fired" and suggest that being open about what happened can assist you process it.

"People rely on countless soft terms for job loss. However, the quicker you acknowledge it, the sooner you're truthful regarding it, the quicker you can move on.

"It's the quickest route to anything you desire to do next," she adds.

Now, they are excelling in new positions, with one owning her own media company and another serving as editor-in-chief at a prestigious publication.

If you've been made redundant or are looking for a new career, these are four methods to assist you.

1. Reflect On Last Year

It's common to have some unease regarding your job post-festive period.

A career expert stresses the value of looking back prior to launching a new job search.

She encourages professionals to evaluate what they want to do more of, what they want less of, and which factors inspires or drains their drive.

Reviewing your accomplishments to find underlying threads is useful too. "Avoid focusing solely on the last month, as people often suffer from for recency bias that can hinder clear thinking," she notes.

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

This involves being candid regarding the hours you spend working and its impact on your social and family life.

After her own experience, she suggests against letting your life be shaped solely by your job.

2. Take Gradual Moves

The advisor states that individuals can make small steps towards changing careers without committing fully.

Her own journey took seven years to transition from a corporate role to operating her own business entirely, working on her idea while still employed, which allowed self-funding from the start.

"It needed a bit longer, however, that was my approach without risk," she comments.

She advocates for an experimental approach.

This can include pro bono work, getting involved in an initiative that interests you, or accepting a different task at your present job.

"The worst outcome, you discover that area isn't for you, but it's better to find out now rather than after you've switched careers," she adds.

She also encourages looking into temporary "stepping-stone" positions. These may not be the ideal job, but they act as a move forward, such as a role that shares traits to the career you want, but in a different field.

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

"That can be a very smart tactic for getting nearer to your new career."

3. Acknowledge Your Achievements

For anyone who has just left your role, you aren't alone – job cuts have increased to high levels recently.

She was the top editor in a magazine, but a few years ago she lost their jobs after the company closed the print version.

Realizing that this event did not reflect of her performance allowed her to process the change.

"The skills you've gained remains with you just because you were dismissed.

"Don't relinquish your confidence, it's vital for everyone to remember their intrinsic value."

Another professional was fired after a decade at a financial magazine after a change in senior ranks and the hiring of a new editor.

She stresses that so much of the embarrassment of job loss is in your head.

"Considering the vast numbers of individuals facing redundancy, it's rarely personal. It's likely not your fault, so refrain from bearing that ball of shame unnecessarily."

4. Develop a Career Checklist

If you're actively hunting for work or are deeply dissatisfied in your current role, it can be tempting to dive straight into applying for any vacancy – overlooking personal fulfillment.

Yet, this can be a significant mistake.

Alternatively, she proposes a method called "scanning" – focusing your search on job descriptions that capture your interest.

She recommends exploring professional networks and saving around 10 to 15 that you like.

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