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A new year's onset can be a period for contemplation, and for a lot of us, that involves evaluating our work lives.

Two editors who were made redundant from their positions after corporate restructures originally thought it was a disaster.

"I poured everything into the position... I believed in the ethos we promoted. Yet, when it came to me, that ethos didn't apply," a former editor says.

They both decided to use the term "let go" and argue that being honest about the situation can aid you handle the experience.

"People rely on numerous euphemisms for losing a job. But the faster you accept it, the sooner you're truthful regarding it, the faster you can advance.

"That is the fast track to anything you desire to do next," she adds.

Currently, they are succeeding in different roles, where one running a media business and another working as editor-in-chief for a high-end journal.

For those who have been laid off or are looking for a new career, here are four approaches that can help.

1. Reflect On Last Year

It's typical to have a bit low regarding your job after a holiday break.

A career expert highlights the necessity of reflection before embarking on a new job search.

She encourages people to consider what they wish to do more of, what to decrease, and the things that energizes or exhausts their drive.

Examining your accomplishments to find recurring patterns is useful too. "Try not to considering only the last month, as people often suffer from to focus on the recent that can impede clear thinking," she adds.

A former editor says it is important to determine the role of work occupies in your life.

This requires being truthful about how much time you devote to work and its impact on your social and social life.

After being let go, she recommends against letting your identity be shaped solely by your work.

2. Take Small Steps

She says people can take small steps towards changing careers without a complete leap.

She herself required a long period to move from her corporate career to running her own business completely, working on her project while still employed, which meant she could pay herself.

"It required additional time, but that was my approach sustainably," she says.

She advocates for an experimental approach.

This could be volunteering, participating in a work project that captures your interest, or saying yes to a new challenge in your existing role.

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

Additionally, she suggests exploring interim roles. They are perhaps not the dream position, but they act as progress forward, such as a role that shares traits to your target field, though not in the exact field.

"It involves granting yourself the permission to acknowledge this is good for now, but that isn't permanent.

"This is a very smart approach for getting much closer to a desired transition."

3. Acknowledge Your Successes

For anyone who has recently been made redundant from your job, many are in the same boat – layoff figures have surged significantly recently.

A former editor was editor-in-chief at a style magazine, previously she and her team lost their jobs after the company discontinued the physical magazine.

Understanding that this event did not reflect of her skills allowed her to cope with the situation.

"Your experience 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."

The other editor was fired following a long tenure with a finance publication following a regime change in senior ranks and the appointment of a new editor.

She emphasizes that so much of the stigma of dismissal is in your head.

"With many people being laid off, it's usually not about you. It's likely very much not you, so avoid carrying that burden of shame around with you."

4. Develop a Job Search List

For those who are desperately seeking a new job or feel profoundly unhappy at work, you might be tempted to dive straight into applying for any job – ignoring what suits you.

Yet, this can be a major error.

Instead, she suggests an exercise called "browsing" – focusing your search down to position summaries that capture your interest.

She advises exploring sites like LinkedIn and gathering several that you like.

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