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A new year's onset is frequently a moment for introspection, and for many, that encompasses thinking about our career trajectories.

A pair of editors who left their roles due to organizational changes initially felt it was catastrophic.

"I invested all my energy into the job... I trusted in the ethos we championed. Yet, when it came to me, those values were absent," she says.

They both decided to use the term "dismissed" and suggest that being honest about it can help you deal with the event.

"We use countless soft terms for being dismissed. However, the quicker you acknowledge it, the quicker you're truthful about it, the quicker you can progress.

"That's the quickest route to what you want next," she continues.

Now, they are succeeding in new positions, where one owning a media business and another serving as top editor at a prestigious publication.

For those who have lost your job or are just considering a shift, here are four approaches for guidance.

1. Contemplate The Past Year

It's natural to feel some apprehension regarding your job post-festive period.

A career expert emphasizes the value of introspection before starting a fresh job hunt.

She encourages people to consider what they want to pursue more, what to reduce, and what motivates or depletes their energy.

Reviewing your accomplishments to spot recurring patterns is useful too. "Try to avoid focusing solely on the last month, as people often exhibit for recency bias that can impede clear thinking," she notes.

She also states it is important to establish the role of work plays in your life.

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

Following her job loss, she recommends preventing your life be dictated by your job.

2. Implement Incremental Actions

The advisor states that individuals can take gradual progress towards a career shift without a complete leap.

She required a long period to make the jump from a corporate role to running her own company completely, working on her project concurrently with her role, which enabled financial stability.

"It needed additional time, but that was the method I used without risk," she explains.

She suggests a "try before you buy" method.

This could be volunteering, participating in an initiative that interests you, or accepting a new challenge in your existing role.

"Worst case scenario, you find out that area isn't for you, but it's better to know now instead of after you've switched careers," she remarks.

She also advises considering short-term "bridging roles". These might not be the dream position, yet they function as a step forward, like a job with similarities to your target field, but in a different area.

"It's about allowing yourself the leeway to acknowledge this is suitable temporarily, but that isn't for all time.

"That can be an intelligent approach for moving nearer to your career change."

3. Remember Your Achievements

For anyone who has recently been made redundant from your role, you aren't alone – redundancy rates have surged to high levels in recent times.

A former editor was editor-in-chief for a fashion publication, previously she were made redundant following a decision to discontinued the physical magazine.

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

"The skills you've gained remains with you because you were let go.

"Do not surrender your confidence, it's important for everyone to recognize their own value."

The other editor was let go following a long tenure at a financial magazine following a regime change in senior ranks and the hiring of a new editor.

She stresses that much of the embarrassment of dismissal is self-imposed.

"With many people being laid off, it's not personal. It's likely not your fault, so refrain from bearing that ball of shame unnecessarily."

4. Build a Professional Checklist

For those who are actively hunting for work or are profoundly unhappy with your present job, you might be tempted to apply hastily for any job – overlooking personal fulfillment.

Yet, this can be a major error.

Rather, she recommends a technique known as "reviewing" – focusing your search down to job descriptions that sound interesting.

She recommends browsing job platforms and gathering several that you like.

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