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The beginning of a new year is often a period for contemplation, and for many, that encompasses thinking about our career trajectories.

Two editors who left their positions due to organizational changes at first believed their world had ended.

"I dedicated all my energy into the job... I had faith in the principles we promoted. But in my case, that ethos didn't apply," a former editor states.

They both opted to use the term "let go" and believe that being open about what happened can assist you deal with the event.

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

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

Today, they are thriving in new ventures, with one leading a media business and the other working as top editor for a high-end journal.

For those who have been made redundant or are simply considering a shift, consider these four approaches to assist you.

1. Reflect On The Previous Year

It's common to have some unease regarding your job post-festive period.

A professional advisor stresses the value of introspection before embarking on a fresh job hunt.

She encourages professionals to evaluate what they desire to do more of, what to reduce, and which factors inspires or drains them.

Reviewing your past successes to find underlying threads is also beneficial. "Try not to just looking at the last month, because we all have a tendency to focus on the recent that can impede the process," she notes.

She also notes it is important to establish where your work plays in your life.

This involves being candid about how much time you spend working and its effect on your family and family life.

After being let go, she recommends preventing your identity be dictated by your career.

2. Take Incremental Actions

She says people can take gradual progress for a career transition without diving in headfirst.

She took seven years to make the jump from a traditional job to running her own company full-time, building her project alongside her job, which enabled self-funding from the start.

"It needed more time, however, that was my approach in a sustainable way," she explains.

She recommends an experimental approach.

This might involve volunteering, participating in a work project you find appealing, or saying yes to a new challenge in your existing role.

"Worst case scenario, you find out that area isn't for you, but it's preferable to learn now than after you've switched careers," she remarks.

Additionally, she suggests considering short-term "bridging roles". They are perhaps not the dream position, yet they function as a move forward, like a job with similarities to the career you want, yet not in the same field.

"It means allowing yourself the leeway to accept this works for now, however, that is not the same as forever.

"That can be a clever approach to get much closer to your desired transition."

3. Remember Your Accomplishments

For anyone who has recently lost your role, many are in the same boat – layoff figures have risen significantly recently.

She was the top editor at a style magazine, but in 2022 she and her team were laid off when the firm closed the print version.

Understanding that this was not indicative of her skills helped her handle the transition.

"What you've learned doesn't go away simply due to were let go.

"Don't relinquish your power, it's important for everybody to recognize their own worth."

The other editor was fired following a long tenure with a finance publication due to leadership changes in senior ranks and the appointment of new leadership.

She notes that much of the shame associated with being fired is self-imposed.

"With many individuals facing redundancy, it's usually not about you. It's probably not your fault, so refrain from bearing that ball of shame around with you."

4. Build a Professional Checklist

For those who are urgently looking for a new job or feel utterly miserable with your present job, the temptation is to dive straight into applying for any vacancy – overlooking personal fulfillment.

But this is a significant mistake.

Alternatively, she proposes an exercise called "scanning" – focusing your search to only role profiles that seem appealing.

She recommends exploring job platforms and saving several that seem promising.

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