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The beginning of a new year can be a period for contemplation, and for numerous people, that involves evaluating our career trajectories.

A pair of editors who were made redundant from their roles due to organizational changes originally thought their world had ended.

"I invested my heart into that role... I had faith in the principles we championed. But in my case, those principles weren't there," one of them remarks.

Both individuals opted to use the term "fired" and argue that being transparent about the situation can assist you process it.

"People rely on so many soft terms for being dismissed. But the faster you own it, the sooner you're honest about it, the sooner you can progress.

"It's the quickest route to whatever you wish to do next," she adds.

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

For those who have been laid off or are looking for a new career, here are four strategies to assist you.

1. Reflect On The Previous Year

It's common to experience a bit low regarding your job after a holiday break.

A careers coach stresses the necessity of looking back prior to launching a fresh job hunt.

She suggests individuals to think about what they wish to increase, what they want less of, and what energizes or exhausts their drive.

Looking back at your accomplishments to find recurring patterns is useful too. "Avoid just looking at the recent past, since everyone suffer from for recent-event bias that can obstruct your judgment," she notes.

She also states it is vital to establish the role of work occupies in your life.

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

After being let go, she advises against letting yourself be shaped solely by your career.

2. Take Incremental Actions

The expert notes that professionals can make small steps for a career transition without committing fully.

She took several years to make the jump from a corporate role to running a company full-time, building the venture while still employed, which allowed self-funding from the start.

"It required additional time, but that represented my approach in a sustainable way," she says.

She suggests an experimental approach.

This could be volunteering, getting involved in a work project that captures your interest, or saying yes to a different task at your present job.

"If it fails, you discover it's not a fit, but it's better to find out now rather than after you've made the move," she adds.

She also encourages considering interim roles. These may not be the ideal job, yet they function as progress forward, such as a role with similarities to your target field, but in a different industry or sector.

"It means granting yourself the leeway to accept this is good for now, but that does not mean permanent.

"This is a very smart strategy for getting closer to a new career."

3. Remember Your Achievements

Should you have just left your position, you are not the only one – job cuts have increased to high levels recently.

A former editor was editor-in-chief in a magazine, but a few years ago her entire team lost their jobs when the firm closed the print version.

Recognizing that this event was not indicative of her skills helped her process the change.

"Your experience remains with you simply due to were dismissed.

"Do not surrender your confidence, it's vital for all individuals to recall their own worth."

Her colleague lost her job following a long tenure at a financial magazine due to leadership changes in senior ranks and the hiring of a different editor.

She emphasizes that much of the stigma of dismissal is internal.

"With many individuals facing redundancy, it's rarely personal. It's likely not your fault, so avoid carrying that feeling around with you."

4. Develop a Professional Checklist

For those who are desperately seeking employment or are profoundly unhappy at work, it can be tempting to jump at for any job – disregarding your own happiness.

Yet, this can be a big misstep.

Alternatively, she proposes a technique known as "browsing" – filtering opportunities on job descriptions that seem appealing.

She advises browsing professional networks and gathering around 10 to 15 that seem promising.

"Look for {the words|the