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The beginning of a new year is often a time for reflection, and for many, that involves considering our career trajectories.

A pair of editors who were made redundant from their jobs after corporate restructures originally thought their world had ended.

"I poured my heart into the job... I trusted in the ethos we promoted. However, regarding my situation, those values didn't apply," one of them states.

Both individuals chose to use the term "fired" and suggest that being open about the situation can aid you deal with it.

"There are so many alternative phrases for job loss. Yet, the sooner you acknowledge it, the quicker you're honest about it, the quicker you can advance.

"It's the fast track to what you wish to pursue next," she notes.

Currently, they are succeeding in new ventures, where one running her own firm and another working as top editor at a prestigious publication.

For those who have been made redundant or are simply contemplating a change, here are four strategies for guidance.

1. Contemplate The Previous Year

It's typical to experience some unease concerning your career following time off.

A career expert stresses the importance of looking back prior to launching the search for a new role.

She encourages individuals to think about what they wish to do more of, what they want less of, and which factors energizes or exhausts their drive.

Examining your achievements to identify underlying threads is useful too. "Try not to focusing solely on the recent past, since everyone exhibit for recent-event bias that can hinder the process," she adds.

A former editor states it is vital to establish what place your job fits in your life.

This involves being candid about the amount of time you spend working and the influence on your personal and family life.

After being let go, she suggests against letting yourself be shaped solely by your job.

2. Make Gradual Moves

The expert says people can take gradual progress towards a career shift without diving in headfirst.

Her own journey took several years to transition from a corporate role to running a company completely, building the venture concurrently with her role, which enabled financial stability.

"It took a bit longer, but that represented the method I used sustainably," she explains.

She recommends an experimental method.

This could be pro bono work, joining a work project you find appealing, or accepting a new challenge in your existing role.

"Worst case scenario, you learn you don't like, however, it's wiser to find out now instead of after you've made the move," she states.

She also advises exploring short-term "bridging roles". They are perhaps not the ideal job, but they serve as a step towards your goal, like a job that shares traits to your desired career, but in a different area.

"It's about giving yourself the leeway to acknowledge this is good for now, however, that is not permanent.

"That represents a very smart strategy to get much closer to a desired transition."

3. Acknowledge Your Achievements

If you've recently lost your role, you are not the only one – job cuts have increased markedly in recent times.

She was editor-in-chief in a magazine, but in 2022 she were laid off when the firm discontinued the physical magazine.

Understanding that this did not reflect of her ability allowed her to process the change.

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

"Don't relinquish your power, it's important for everyone to remember their intrinsic value."

Her colleague was let go after ten years in a business journal following a regime change in management and the appointment of new leadership.

She notes that a lot of the shame of dismissal is self-imposed.

"With many individuals facing redundancy, it's rarely personal. It's probably not about you, so avoid carrying that burden of shame forward."

4. Build a Professional Checklist

For those who are urgently looking for a new job or feel profoundly unhappy in your current role, the temptation is to apply hastily at any opportunity – ignoring personal fulfillment.

But this is a major error.

Instead, she suggests an exercise called "browsing" – narrowing your search on role profiles that capture your interest.

She suggests searching professional networks and collecting a selection of that appeal to you.

"Look for {the words|the