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The beginning of a new year can be a period for contemplation, and for a lot of us, that encompasses evaluating our professional paths.

A pair of editors who were made redundant from their positions after corporate restructures at first believed it was catastrophic.

"I invested my heart into that role... I believed in the ethos we promoted. But in my case, those principles didn't apply," one of them remarks.

Both individuals decided to use the term "let go" and believe that being open about what happened can aid you deal with the experience.

"We use so many euphemisms for losing a job. Yet, the sooner you acknowledge it, the quicker you're truthful about it, the faster you can advance.

"That is the fast track to whatever you want next," she notes.

Currently, they are excelling in different roles, with one running her own firm and another working as lead editor for a luxury magazine.

If you've been made redundant or are just considering a shift, consider these four approaches to assist you.

1. Contemplate The Previous Year

It's common to experience some unease about work following time off.

A career expert emphasizes the value of introspection before embarking on the search for a new role.

She suggests individuals to think about what they wish to do more of, what they want less of, and which factors motivates or depletes their drive.

Examining your past successes to spot common themes is also beneficial. "Avoid focusing solely on the recent past, since everyone have a tendency for recent-event bias that can obstruct clear thinking," she notes.

She also states it is crucial to establish the role of work fits in your life.

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

After her own experience, she recommends preventing your life be defined by your career.

2. Implement Gradual Moves

The advisor states that individuals can implement incremental moves for a career transition without a complete leap.

She took seven years to transition from a traditional job to operating her own business full-time, building the venture alongside her job, which allowed financial stability.

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

She advocates for a "try before you buy" approach.

This can include pro bono work, participating in a professional project that interests you, or agreeing to something different in your existing role.

"If it fails, you discover it's not a fit, but it's preferable to find out now rather than after you've committed fully," she remarks.

She also encourages looking into interim roles. These may not be the perfect role, but they serve as a move in the right direction, like a job with similarities to your target field, yet not in the same area.

"It means giving yourself the permission to accept this is good for now, but that isn't the same as forever.

"This is a clever tactic to get closer to your career change."

3. Remember Your Achievements

If you've recently lost your role, you aren't alone – layoff figures have increased to high levels lately.

A former editor was editor-in-chief for a fashion publication, but in 2022 her entire team lost their jobs when the firm ceased print operations.

Recognizing that this was not a reflection of her skills assisted her handle the transition.

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

"Don't relinquish your self-worth, it's crucial for everybody to remember their intrinsic value."

The other editor was fired after ten years with a finance publication following a regime change at the top and the hiring of a different editor.

She notes that so much of the shame associated with being fired is self-imposed.

"With many individuals facing redundancy, it's not personal. It's probably not your fault, so don't carry that ball of shame unnecessarily."

4. Create a Career Checklist

For those who are desperately seeking work or are deeply dissatisfied in your current role, you might be tempted to jump at for any job – overlooking personal fulfillment.

However, this represents a big misstep.

Rather, she recommends a method called "scanning" – filtering opportunities to only job descriptions that sound interesting.

She advises exploring job platforms and saving around 10 to 15 that seem promising.

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