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The start of a new year is often a moment for introspection, and for many, that encompasses considering our career trajectories.

A pair of editors who lost their roles after corporate restructures at first believed their world had ended.

"I poured everything into the position... I believed in the values we championed. But in my case, that ethos weren't there," she states.

The two chose to employ the word "fired" and suggest that being open about the situation can assist you process the event.

"There are countless soft terms for losing a job. But the faster you own it, the quicker you're candid regarding it, the quicker you can move on.

"That is the fast track to what you desire to pursue next," she notes.

Today, they are succeeding in different roles, with one owning a media business and the other holding the position of editor-in-chief for a high-end journal.

For those who have been laid off or are simply contemplating a change, consider these four strategies that can help.

1. Consider The Previous Year

It's typical to feel some unease regarding your job after a holiday break.

A professional advisor highlights the importance of reflection before embarking on the search for a new role.

She advises people to consider what they want to do more of, what to reduce, and which factors inspires or drains their drive.

Examining your accomplishments to find underlying threads can also help. "Avoid just looking at the last month, since everyone suffer from to focus on the recent that can hinder your judgment," she notes.

She also states it is vital to determine what place your job fits in your life.

This involves being honest regarding the hours you devote to work and its impact on your personal and social life.

After being let go, she suggests preventing your identity be shaped solely by your career.

2. Take Gradual Moves

The advisor says people can make gradual progress for a career transition without a complete leap.

She herself took seven years to move from her corporate career to running her own company full-time, building the venture while still employed, which meant she could pay herself.

"It took a bit longer, however, that was my approach without risk," she explains.

She recommends an experimental strategy.

This could be pro bono work, joining an initiative you find appealing, or agreeing to a different task in your existing role.

"Worst case scenario, you discover 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 encourages considering interim roles. These might not be the ideal job, but they act as a move in the right direction, for example a position that shares traits to your desired career, but in a different field.

"It's about giving yourself the permission to say this works for now, however, that is not permanent.

"That can be a clever tactic to get much closer to your new career."

3. Acknowledge Your Accomplishments

Should you have just left your job, you are not the only one – layoff figures have increased to high levels lately.

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

Realizing that this situation was not indicative of her performance assisted her process the change.

"What you've learned remains with you because you lost your job.

"Don't give up your confidence, it's important for all individuals to recall their intrinsic value."

The other editor lost her job after ten years at a financial magazine due to leadership changes in senior ranks and the appointment of a different editor.

She stresses that a lot of the embarrassment of job loss is internal.

"Considering the vast numbers of individuals facing redundancy, it's not personal. Chances are not about you, so don't carry that ball of shame forward."

4. Develop a Professional Checklist

When you're urgently looking for a new job or feel profoundly unhappy at work, you might be tempted to jump at for any vacancy – disregarding your own happiness.

Yet, this can be a major error.

Rather, she recommends an exercise called "browsing" – focusing your search on role profiles that seem appealing.

She advises browsing sites like LinkedIn and gathering around 10 to 15 that you like.

"Look for {the words|the