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

A pair of editors who lost their roles due to organizational changes originally thought their world had ended.

"I invested everything into the job... I trusted in the ethos we promoted. However, regarding my situation, those principles weren't there," one of them states.

The two chose to employ the word "fired" and believe that being transparent about the situation can help you process the event.

"We use numerous euphemisms for being dismissed. However, the quicker you accept it, the sooner you're honest about it, the quicker you can progress.

"It's the direct path to what you wish to do next," she adds.

Now, they are thriving in new positions, with one running a media business and another holding the position of top editor at a prestigious publication.

For those who have been laid off or are just looking for a new career, here are four strategies for guidance.

1. Consider The Previous Year

It's natural to experience some apprehension concerning your career post-festive period.

A careers coach stresses the value of reflection before starting the search for a new role.

She suggests people to consider what they desire to do more of, what to reduce, and which factors motivates or depletes their drive.

Reviewing your past successes to find common themes can also help. "Try to avoid just looking at the recent past, because we all have a tendency to focus on the recent that can hinder your judgment," she states.

She also states it is vital to determine where your work fits in your life.

This means being honest about the amount of time you're working and its impact on your family life.

Following her job loss, she suggests preventing yourself be defined by your job.

2. Take Small Steps

She says people can implement incremental moves towards a career shift without committing fully.

She required a long period to transition from her corporate career to operating her own business completely, building her idea while still employed, which allowed self-funding from the start.

"It needed additional time, however, that was how I did it without risk," she explains.

She advocates for an experimental approach.

This might involve pro bono work, participating in a professional project that interests you, or accepting something different in your existing role.

"If it fails, you find out it's not a fit, but it's preferable to find out now rather than after you've made the move," she adds.

Additionally, she suggests looking into short-term "bridging roles". They are perhaps not the perfect role, yet they function as a move in the right direction, like a job with parallels to the career you want, yet not in the same industry or sector.

"It involves giving yourself the permission to acknowledge this is good for now, but that does not mean the same as forever.

"That can be a clever strategy to get nearer to that desired transition."

3. Remember Your Accomplishments

If you've just left your position, many are in the same boat – redundancy rates have risen to high levels in recent times.

One professional was the top editor in a magazine, but in 2022 she and her team were made redundant when the firm ceased print operations.

Recognizing that this did not reflect of her performance helped her process the change.

"The skills you've gained remains with you just because you lost your job.

"Do not surrender your confidence, it's important for everybody to recall their intrinsic value."

The other editor was let go after a decade with a finance publication following a regime change at the top and the arrival of a new editor.

She notes that a lot of the stigma of job loss is self-imposed.

"Given that hundreds of thousands of individuals facing redundancy, it's rarely personal. It's likely not about you, so avoid carrying that ball of shame around with you."

4. Build a Career Checklist

When you're desperately seeking work or are deeply dissatisfied at work, you might be tempted to dive straight into applying at any opportunity – overlooking personal fulfillment.

But this is a major error.

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

She advises exploring job platforms and collecting a selection of that you like.

"Look for {the words|the