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The beginning of a new year is frequently a period for contemplation, and for many, that involves considering our career trajectories.

Two editors who lost their roles following company reorganizations initially felt it was a disaster.

"I invested everything into the position... I had faith in the values we stood for. Yet, when it came to me, those principles didn't apply," a former editor says.

They both decided to use the term "fired" and argue that being open about the situation can assist you deal with the experience.

"People rely on so many soft terms for job loss. But the faster you acknowledge it, the sooner you're honest regarding it, the sooner you can move on.

"That is the fast track to what you want next," she continues.

Now, they are excelling in different roles, where one leading her own media company and another working as top editor for a high-end journal.

For those who have been made redundant or are looking for a new career, consider these four strategies to assist you.

1. Reflect On Last Year

It's natural to have some unease concerning your career post-festive period.

A careers coach stresses the necessity of looking back before embarking on the search for a new role.

She advises individuals to think about what they wish to do more of, what to reduce, and which factors energizes or exhausts them.

Looking back at your past successes to spot underlying threads can also help. "Try not to considering only the last month, as people often suffer from for recency bias that can hinder the process," she notes.

Another professional states it is crucial to establish what place your job fits in your life.

This involves being truthful about the amount of time you're working and its impact on your social life.

Following her job loss, she recommends preventing yourself be shaped solely by your job.

2. Make Small Steps

She states that individuals can make incremental moves towards a career shift without a complete leap.

Her own journey took several years to transition from her corporate career to managing her own business entirely, working on her project concurrently with her role, which enabled financial stability.

"It took a bit longer, but that was the method I used in a sustainable way," she comments.

She suggests a "try before you buy" approach.

This could be pro bono work, joining a professional project that interests you, or saying yes to a new challenge within your current team.

"If it fails, you learn you don't like, but it's preferable to learn now rather than after you've switched careers," she adds.

Additionally, she suggests looking into short-term "bridging roles". These might not be the perfect role, yet they function as a step towards your goal, such as a role that shares traits to your desired career, yet not in the same area.

"It means granting yourself the permission to acknowledge this is good for now, however, that is not the same as forever.

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

3. Recall Your Accomplishments

For anyone who has recently been made redundant from your role, you are not the only one – job cuts have surged to high levels in recent times.

One professional held a senior role for a fashion publication, but a few years ago she and her team were made redundant following a decision to ceased print operations.

Understanding that this event was not a reflection of her performance helped her process the change.

"The skills you've gained doesn't go away just because you were dismissed.

"Do not surrender your self-worth, it's important for all individuals to recognize their intrinsic value."

Another professional was let go after a decade in a business journal following a regime change in senior ranks and the appointment of new leadership.

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

"With many professionals losing jobs, it's usually not about you. Chances are not your fault, so refrain from bearing that feeling unnecessarily."

4. Develop a Job Search List

If you're actively hunting for work or are deeply dissatisfied with your present job, the temptation is to jump at for any vacancy – disregarding your own happiness.

But this is a major error.

Instead, she suggests a technique known as "reviewing" – narrowing your search on position summaries that seem appealing.

She recommends searching professional networks and gathering several that you like.

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