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A new year's onset is often a moment for introspection, and for numerous people, that involves considering our work lives.

A pair of editors who left their jobs after corporate restructures originally thought it was a disaster.

"I dedicated my heart into the job... I had faith in the values we promoted. But in my case, those values didn't apply," a former editor says.

Both individuals decided to employ the word "fired" and suggest that being open about it can help you process it.

"We use numerous euphemisms for job loss. Yet, the sooner you own it, the faster you're candid about it, the quicker you can advance.

"It's the direct path to anything you want next," she notes.

Currently, they are succeeding in different roles, with one leading her own firm and another working as editor-in-chief at a prestigious publication.

For those who have been laid off or are simply contemplating a change, here are four methods for guidance.

1. Consider The Past Year

It's typical to experience some apprehension about work following time off.

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

She advises people to consider what they want to do more of, what they want less of, and what energizes or exhausts them.

Reviewing your achievements to identify underlying threads can also help. "Avoid just looking at the most recent period, since everyone suffer from for recent-event bias that can impede your judgment," she notes.

A former editor states it is crucial to decide where your work fits in your life.

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

Following her job loss, she suggests not allowing your identity be dictated by your job.

2. Take Incremental Actions

She notes that professionals can make gradual progress towards a career shift without diving in headfirst.

She herself took several years to transition from her corporate career to managing her own business full-time, working on her idea concurrently with her role, which meant financial stability.

"It took a bit longer, but that was the method I used without risk," she says.

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

This can include pro bono work, participating in a work project that interests you, or saying yes to a new challenge within your current team.

"If it fails, you learn it's not a fit, but it's better to learn now than after you've switched careers," she remarks.

Additionally, she suggests exploring interim roles. These may not be the ideal job, but they serve as a step in the right direction, such as a role with similarities to your desired career, but in a different field.

"It involves granting yourself the leeway to acknowledge this is suitable temporarily, but that isn't permanent.

"That represents a very smart strategy for moving nearer to a career change."

3. Acknowledge Your Achievements

For anyone who has just left your role, you aren't alone – job cuts have surged significantly lately.

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

Realizing that this situation was not a reflection of her ability allowed her to cope with the situation.

"What you've learned remains with you because you were dismissed.

"Don't give up your confidence, it's important for everybody to remember their own worth."

Another professional lost her job after a decade in a business journal following a regime change at the top and the appointment of a different editor.

She stresses that a lot of the embarrassment of dismissal is internal.

"With many people being laid off, it's rarely personal. It's probably not your fault, so don't carry that feeling forward."

4. Create a Career Checklist

If you're actively hunting for a new job or feel profoundly unhappy with your present job, you might be tempted to jump at for any job – ignoring what suits you.

Yet, this can be a significant mistake.

Alternatively, she proposes a technique known as "reviewing" – narrowing your search on job descriptions that seem appealing.

She advises browsing job platforms and gathering around 10 to 15 that you like.

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