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The beginning of a new year can be a moment for introspection, and for many, that encompasses considering our career trajectories.

A pair of editors who left their roles following company reorganizations originally thought it was catastrophic.

"I dedicated all my energy into the job... I had faith in the values we promoted. But in my case, that ethos didn't apply," one of them states.

The two decided to say "dismissed" and argue that being open about what happened can aid you deal with the event.

"There are numerous soft terms for being dismissed. But the faster you accept it, the quicker you're candid about it, the sooner you can advance.

"That is the quickest route to whatever you desire to pursue next," she adds.

Today, they are thriving in different roles, with one owning her own media company and another holding the position of top editor for a luxury magazine.

If you've been made redundant or are simply contemplating a change, consider these four approaches for guidance.

1. Contemplate The Previous Year

It's common to have some apprehension regarding your job following time off.

A career expert highlights the necessity of looking back prior to launching a fresh job hunt.

She advises people to consider what they want to pursue more, what to decrease, and which factors inspires or drains their drive.

Looking back at your accomplishments to identify recurring patterns can also help. "Avoid considering only the most recent period, as people often have a tendency to focus on the recent that can hinder clear thinking," she states.

A former editor states it is crucial to determine what place your job fits in your life.

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

After her own experience, she suggests not allowing your identity be dictated by your job.

2. Implement Incremental Actions

She states that individuals can make small steps for a career transition without committing fully.

She herself required a long period to move from her corporate career to operating a company completely, working on her idea alongside her job, which meant she could pay herself.

"It required additional time, but that represented my approach in a sustainable way," she says.

She recommends a "try before you buy" strategy.

This might involve pro bono work, participating in a work project that interests you, or agreeing to a new challenge at your present job.

"Worst case scenario, you discover it's not a fit, but it's better to find out now instead of after you've switched careers," she states.

She also encourages considering short-term "bridging roles". They are perhaps not the dream position, yet they function as a step forward, like a job with parallels to your desired career, though not in the exact area.

"It's about allowing yourself the space to accept this works for now, but that isn't the same as forever.

"That represents an intelligent strategy to get closer to your new career."

3. Recall Your Successes

If you've recently lost your position, many are in the same boat – layoff figures have risen significantly lately.

A former editor held a senior role for a fashion publication, previously she lost their jobs after the company closed the print version.

Realizing that this did not reflect of her performance assisted her process the change.

"Your experience doesn't disappear just because you lost your job.

"Don't give up your power, it's vital for everyone to recall their own worth."

The other editor was fired after a decade with a finance publication after a change at the top and the appointment of new leadership.

She stresses that a lot of the embarrassment associated with being fired is in your head.

"Given that hundreds of thousands of individuals facing redundancy, it's not personal. Chances are not your fault, so avoid carrying that ball of shame around with you."

4. Create a Job Search List

For those who are desperately seeking a new job or feel deeply dissatisfied in your current role, it can be tempting to dive straight into applying for any job – disregarding what suits you.

However, this represents a major error.

Instead, she suggests a method called "scanning" – filtering opportunities to only position summaries that seem appealing.

She recommends exploring sites like LinkedIn and gathering around 10 to 15 that you like.

"Look for {the words|the