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A new year's onset is frequently a moment for introspection, and for a lot of us, that involves thinking about our professional paths.

A pair of editors who were made redundant from their jobs following company reorganizations at first believed it was catastrophic.

"I poured everything into the position... I had faith in the ethos we championed. However, regarding my situation, that ethos were absent," a former editor says.

The two decided to employ the word "fired" and suggest that being open about the situation can help you handle the experience.

"We use countless euphemisms for job loss. But the faster you acknowledge it, the faster you're honest regarding it, the sooner you can advance.

"It's the direct path to anything you wish to do next," she adds.

Today, they are thriving in different roles, with one running her own firm and the other serving as editor-in-chief for a high-end journal.

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

1. Reflect On The Past Year

It's common to feel some unease about work post-festive period.

A career expert stresses the value of introspection prior to launching a new job search.

She suggests people to consider what they desire to increase, what to decrease, and which factors inspires or drains their energy.

Reviewing your accomplishments to spot common themes is useful too. "Try not to focusing solely on the last month, as people often exhibit for recency bias that can hinder clear thinking," she notes.

She also notes it is crucial to decide where your work fits in your life.

This means being candid about the amount of time you devote to work and its effect on your family life.

After being let go, she suggests against letting your life be dictated by your work.

2. Take Incremental Actions

The advisor says people can make incremental moves towards a career shift without diving in headfirst.

She herself took seven years to make the jump from a corporate role to running her own business entirely, developing her idea while still employed, which allowed financial stability.

"It needed a bit longer, but that was my approach without risk," she comments.

She recommends a test-run approach.

This could be volunteering, joining a work project you find appealing, or saying yes to something different at your present job.

"The worst outcome, you learn you don't like, but it's better to know now than after you've made the move," she remarks.

She also advises considering interim roles. They are perhaps not the perfect role, but they serve as a step in the right direction, like a job that shares traits to your desired career, though not in the exact area.

"It's about allowing yourself the permission to say this is suitable temporarily, but that isn't permanent.

"This is a clever tactic to get nearer to a desired transition."

3. Acknowledge Your Successes

If you've just left your role, you are not the only one – job cuts have risen markedly recently.

One professional was the top editor for a fashion publication, but a few years ago she were laid off when the firm ceased print operations.

Realizing that this was not a reflection of her ability allowed her to process the change.

"What you've learned doesn't go away because you were dismissed.

"Don't give up your power, it's important for all individuals to recognize their intrinsic value."

The other editor lost her job following a long tenure in a business journal following a regime change in senior ranks and the arrival of a different editor.

She emphasizes that much of the embarrassment associated with being fired is self-imposed.

"With many individuals facing redundancy, it's rarely personal. Chances are not your fault, so don't carry that burden of shame around with you."

4. Build a Job Search List

For those who are actively hunting for work or are utterly miserable in your current role, it can be tempting to apply hastily at any opportunity – ignoring your own happiness.

Yet, this can be a big misstep.

Alternatively, she proposes an exercise called "browsing" – filtering opportunities down to position summaries that capture your interest.

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

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