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The beginning of a new year can be a time for reflection, and for a lot of us, that encompasses thinking about our career trajectories.

Two editors who were made redundant from their jobs after corporate restructures initially felt it was catastrophic.

"I invested all my energy into the job... I believed in the principles we championed. But in my case, those principles were absent," a former editor states.

Both individuals chose to say "dismissed" and believe that being open about what happened can help you deal with the event.

"There are countless alternative phrases for losing a job. But the faster you own it, the quicker you're honest about it, the faster you can move on.

"That is the fast track to anything you wish to pursue next," she notes.

Currently, they are thriving in new ventures, where one running her own firm and the other working as editor-in-chief at a prestigious publication.

Whether you've lost your job or are just contemplating a change, consider these four approaches for guidance.

1. Contemplate The Previous Year

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

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

She suggests individuals to think about what they want to increase, what they want less of, and the things that energizes or exhausts them.

Examining your accomplishments to find recurring patterns is also beneficial. "Avoid just looking at the most recent period, because we all exhibit for recent-event bias that can hinder the process," she states.

She also says it is vital to determine what place your job occupies in your life.

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

Following her job loss, she suggests not allowing your identity be shaped solely by your career.

2. Make Gradual Moves

She notes that professionals can take gradual progress towards a career shift without a complete leap.

She required a long period to transition from a corporate role to operating her own company completely, developing the venture alongside her job, which meant financial stability.

"It required additional time, but that represented how I did it sustainably," she explains.

She suggests an experimental strategy.

This might involve volunteering, participating in a work project that interests you, or agreeing to something different at your present job.

"If it fails, you learn you don't like, however, it's wiser to learn now than after you've switched careers," she remarks.

She also encourages considering temporary "stepping-stone" positions. These might not be the perfect role, yet they function as progress forward, like a job with parallels to the career you want, but in a different industry or sector.

"It involves giving yourself the space to say this is suitable temporarily, however, that is not the same as forever.

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

3. Acknowledge Your Successes

If you've recently lost your role, many are in the same boat – redundancy rates have surged significantly lately.

A former editor held a senior role for a fashion publication, but a few years ago her entire team lost their jobs after the company discontinued the physical magazine.

Recognizing that this event did not reflect of her ability assisted her cope with the situation.

"The skills you've gained doesn't go away just because you lost your job.

"Don't relinquish your self-worth, it's important for everybody to recognize their intrinsic value."

The other editor was let go after a decade in a business journal following a regime change at the top and the hiring of a different editor.

She notes that so much of the shame of dismissal is internal.

"Considering the vast numbers of people being laid off, it's rarely personal. It's probably not your fault, so don't carry that burden of shame unnecessarily."

4. Build a Professional Checklist

If you're desperately seeking employment or are utterly miserable at work, it can be tempting to dive straight into applying for any job – disregarding what suits you.

Yet, this can be a major error.

Alternatively, she proposes a technique known as "browsing" – focusing your search down to role profiles that sound interesting.

She advises browsing professional networks and saving several that appeal to you.

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