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A new year's onset is often a period for contemplation, and for many, that involves evaluating our professional paths.

Two publishing professionals who left their positions due to organizational changes originally thought their world had ended.

"I poured everything into that role... I had faith in the principles we stood for. But in my case, those principles were absent," a former editor remarks.

Both individuals chose to employ the word "fired" and suggest that being honest about what happened can aid you process the event.

"We use countless soft terms for job loss. However, the quicker you accept it, the sooner you're honest regarding it, the faster you can advance.

"It's the fast track to whatever you want to pursue next," she continues.

Currently, they are thriving in different roles, with one leading a media business and another serving as editor-in-chief at a prestigious publication.

For those who have lost your job or are simply contemplating a change, consider these four approaches that can help.

1. Contemplate The Previous Year

It's common to feel some apprehension concerning your career after a holiday break.

A professional advisor highlights the value of introspection before embarking on a new job search.

She suggests individuals to think about what they want to do more of, what to reduce, and the things that energizes or exhausts their energy.

Looking back at your accomplishments to spot recurring patterns is useful too. "Try not to considering only the recent past, as people often suffer from for recency bias that can impede your judgment," she states.

She also says it is important to determine where your work fits in your life.

This requires being honest regarding the hours you devote to work and its impact on your personal and social life.

Following her job loss, she recommends not allowing yourself be shaped solely by your job.

2. Implement Small Steps

The advisor notes that professionals can take incremental moves for a career transition without committing fully.

Her own journey took several years to transition from a traditional job to running her own company full-time, developing her idea while still employed, which allowed self-funding from the start.

"It required a bit longer, but that represented my approach without risk," she says.

She suggests an experimental approach.

This could be volunteer work, getting involved in an initiative that captures your interest, or agreeing to something different within your current team.

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

She also encourages looking into interim roles. These might not be the dream position, but they serve as a step towards your goal, such as a role with parallels to your target field, though not in the exact area.

"It's about giving yourself the leeway to accept this works for now, but that does not mean the same as forever.

"That can be a very smart strategy to get much closer to that career change."

3. Remember Your Successes

If you've recently lost your role, you are not the only one – redundancy rates have increased markedly lately.

One professional was editor-in-chief at a style magazine, previously her entire team were laid off when the firm closed the print version.

Understanding that this situation did not reflect of her skills assisted her cope with the situation.

"Your experience doesn't go away because you were let go.

"Don't give up your self-worth, it's crucial for all individuals to recognize their own value."

Her colleague was fired after a decade in a business journal following a regime change in management and the arrival of new leadership.

She emphasizes that so much of the embarrassment of dismissal is internal.

"Given that hundreds of thousands of individuals facing redundancy, it's rarely personal. It's likely not your fault, so refrain from bearing that ball of shame unnecessarily."

4. Build a Career Checklist

If you're urgently looking for a new job or feel deeply dissatisfied with your present job, it can be tempting to apply hastily at any opportunity – overlooking your own happiness.

But this is a significant mistake.

Instead, she suggests a method called "reviewing" – narrowing your search on position summaries that capture your interest.

She advises browsing professional networks and collecting several that you like.

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