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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.

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 the job... I trusted in the ethos we championed. However, regarding my situation, those values were absent," one of them says.

They both chose to use the term "dismissed" and argue that being open about what happened can aid you deal with the event.

"We use countless soft terms for being dismissed. However, the quicker you accept it, the quicker you're candid about it, the quicker you can progress.

"That is the quickest route to what you wish to pursue next," she continues.

Now, they are excelling in new positions, with one owning a media business and another working as lead editor at a prestigious publication.

For those who have been laid off or are contemplating a change, these are four strategies that can help.

1. Reflect On The Past Year

It's natural to experience a bit low concerning your career following time off.

A careers coach emphasizes the importance of reflection prior to launching a new job search.

She advises professionals to evaluate what they want to do more of, what they want less of, and which factors energizes or exhausts their energy.

Reviewing your achievements to spot recurring patterns is useful too. "Try not to focusing solely on the recent past, because we all suffer from for recent-event bias that can impede the process," she states.

Another professional states it is important to determine where your work fits in your life.

This involves being truthful regarding the hours you spend working and its effect on your family life.

After her own experience, she recommends not allowing yourself be defined by your career.

2. Implement Gradual Moves

The advisor says people can make small steps towards a career shift without a complete leap.

Her own journey took seven years to move from her corporate career to managing a company entirely, building the venture alongside her job, which allowed she could pay herself.

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

She suggests an experimental approach.

This could be volunteer work, joining a work project that interests you, or agreeing to a new challenge at your present job.

"If it fails, you learn it's not a fit, however, it's wiser to learn now than after you've switched careers," she adds.

Additionally, she suggests looking into short-term "bridging roles". These might not be the dream position, yet they function as a step in the right direction, for example a position with parallels to the career you want, but in a different field.

"It means giving yourself the space to say this is suitable temporarily, but that does not mean permanent.

"That can be a clever approach to get closer to your desired transition."

3. Remember Your Achievements

If you've recently been made redundant from your position, many are in the same boat – redundancy rates have risen to high levels recently.

A former editor was editor-in-chief for a fashion publication, previously her entire team were made redundant after the company ceased print operations.

Realizing that this situation was not indicative of her skills allowed her to handle the transition.

"Your experience doesn't go away simply due to were let go.

"Do not surrender your self-worth, it's important for everyone to recall their own worth."

Another professional lost her job after a decade with a finance publication after a change at the top and the arrival of new leadership.

She notes that much of the stigma of job loss is internal.

"Considering the vast numbers of individuals facing redundancy, it's usually not about you. It's likely not your fault, so don't carry that ball of shame around with you."

4. Build a Career Checklist

If you're desperately seeking a new job or feel profoundly unhappy with your present job, you might be tempted to dive straight into applying for any job – overlooking what suits you.

But this is a major error.

Instead, she suggests a method called "browsing" – narrowing your search on job descriptions that sound interesting.

She recommends browsing sites like LinkedIn and gathering around 10 to 15 that you like.

"Look for {the words|the