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

A pair of editors who left their jobs following company reorganizations initially felt it was a disaster.

"I invested all my energy into the job... I trusted in the principles we championed. Yet, when it came to me, those principles didn't apply," she says.

The two chose to employ the word "fired" and believe that being open about it can aid you process it.

"We use numerous euphemisms for losing a job. Yet, the sooner you own it, the faster you're candid about it, the faster you can move on.

"It's the quickest route to whatever you wish next," she notes.

Now, they are succeeding in new ventures, with one leading her own firm and another serving as top editor for a luxury magazine.

Whether you've been laid off or are simply considering a shift, these are four methods to assist you.

1. Consider Last Year

It's natural to experience a bit low concerning your career following time off.

A careers coach stresses the necessity of introspection prior to launching a new job search.

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

Reviewing your achievements to identify common themes is also beneficial. "Avoid focusing solely on the recent past, since everyone exhibit for recent-event bias that can impede the process," she states.

Another professional notes it is vital to establish what place your job plays in your life.

This means being truthful about how much time you spend working and its effect on your personal and family life.

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

2. Make Gradual Moves

She says people can make gradual progress towards changing careers without diving in headfirst.

She herself required a long period to transition from her corporate career to running her own company completely, working on her project alongside her job, which allowed financial stability.

"It needed a bit longer, however, that was the method I used in a sustainable way," she says.

She suggests a test-run approach.

This might involve volunteering, participating in a work project that captures your interest, or accepting something different in your existing role.

"If it fails, you discover you don't like, but it's preferable to learn now rather than after you've switched careers," she adds.

She also advises exploring interim roles. These may not be the ideal job, yet they function as a step towards your goal, for example a position with parallels to your target field, but in a different area.

"It means giving yourself the leeway to accept this is good for now, but that isn't for all time.

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

3. Recall Your Accomplishments

For anyone who has recently been made redundant from your position, you aren't alone – job cuts have risen to high levels in recent times.

She held a senior role at a style magazine, but in 2022 she were made redundant when the firm discontinued the physical magazine.

Realizing that this did not reflect of her ability helped her process the change.

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

"Don't give up your power, it's crucial for all individuals to remember their intrinsic value."

Her colleague was let go after ten years in a business journal after a change in management and the hiring of new leadership.

She emphasizes that much of the shame of dismissal is internal.

"With many professionals losing jobs, it's rarely personal. Chances are very much not you, so don't carry that ball of shame unnecessarily."

4. Develop a Career Checklist

If you're actively hunting for work or are utterly miserable at work, you might be tempted to dive straight into applying for any vacancy – ignoring your own happiness.

However, this represents a big misstep.

Rather, she recommends an exercise called "browsing" – filtering opportunities on job descriptions that capture your interest.

She recommends browsing professional networks and gathering several that you like.

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