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A new year's onset is often a time for reflection, and for many, that includes evaluating our career trajectories.

Two editors who lost their roles following company reorganizations at first believed their world had ended.

"I invested everything into the position... I had faith in the values we stood for. However, regarding my situation, those principles were absent," a former editor remarks.

Both individuals chose to use the term "dismissed" and suggest that being transparent about what happened can assist you deal with it.

"We use numerous soft terms for job loss. But the faster you accept it, the faster you're truthful about it, the sooner you can advance.

"That is the quickest route to anything you desire to do next," she adds.

Currently, they are excelling in new positions, with one running her own media company and another serving as editor-in-chief for a luxury magazine.

If you've lost your job or are just considering a shift, consider these four methods that can help.

1. Contemplate The Previous Year

It's common to feel a bit low about work post-festive period.

A professional advisor emphasizes the necessity of reflection before embarking on a fresh job hunt.

She encourages individuals to think about what they want to increase, what they want less of, and which factors motivates or depletes their energy.

Reviewing your accomplishments to find recurring patterns can also help. "Avoid considering only the last month, since everyone suffer from for recent-event bias that can impede your judgment," she states.

A former editor states it is important to determine what place your job occupies in your life.

This involves being truthful about how much time you devote to work and its effect on your personal life.

Following her job loss, she recommends against letting yourself be dictated by your work.

2. Make Gradual Moves

The expert notes that professionals can take gradual progress for a career transition without diving in headfirst.

Her own journey required a long period to transition from her corporate career to operating her own business entirely, building the venture while still employed, which meant financial stability.

"It required a bit longer, but that represented how I did it without risk," she says.

She suggests a "try before you buy" method.

This might involve volunteering, participating in a work project you find appealing, or saying yes to a different task within your current team.

"Worst case scenario, you find out that area isn't for you, but it's better to find out now instead of after you've committed fully," she adds.

She also advises considering temporary "stepping-stone" positions. They are perhaps not the perfect role, but they act as a move in the right direction, such as a role with parallels to your desired career, yet not in the same industry or sector.

"It means giving yourself the permission to accept this is good for now, however, that is not permanent.

"That can be a clever tactic to get much closer to that desired transition."

3. Recall Your Achievements

For anyone who has recently been made redundant from your job, you are not the only one – layoff figures have risen to high levels recently.

She was editor-in-chief for a fashion publication, but a few years ago she were made redundant when the firm ceased print operations.

Understanding that this situation was not a reflection of her performance helped her cope with the situation.

"What you've learned doesn't disappear just because you were let go.

"Don't give up your self-worth, it's crucial for everybody to recognize their own value."

The other editor lost her job after a decade at a financial magazine after a change in senior ranks and the appointment of new leadership.

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

"Given that hundreds of thousands of individuals facing redundancy, it's usually not about you. Chances are not about you, so refrain from bearing that ball of shame unnecessarily."

4. Develop a Career Checklist

When you're urgently looking for a new job or feel utterly miserable at work, you might be tempted to dive straight into applying at any opportunity – disregarding your own happiness.

But this is a big misstep.

Alternatively, she proposes a technique known as "scanning" – focusing your search down to job descriptions that capture your interest.

She advises exploring sites like LinkedIn and saving around 10 to 15 that seem promising.

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