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The beginning of a new year is often a time for reflection, and for many, that encompasses evaluating our work lives.

A pair of editors who lost their jobs following company reorganizations originally thought their world had ended.

"I dedicated everything into the job... I had faith in the values we stood for. But in my case, those principles weren't there," she remarks.

Both individuals chose to say "dismissed" and argue that being open about it can help you process the experience.

"We use countless euphemisms for being dismissed. But the faster you acknowledge it, the faster you're honest regarding it, the faster you can advance.

"That is the direct path to anything you desire to pursue next," she adds.

Currently, they are thriving in new positions, where one owning a media business and the other serving as editor-in-chief for a high-end journal.

Whether you've been made redundant or are looking for a new career, here are four methods for guidance.

1. Contemplate The Previous Year

It's natural to feel a bit low about work after a holiday break.

A professional advisor stresses the importance of introspection before starting the search for a new role.

She encourages professionals to evaluate what they desire to increase, what they want less of, and which factors inspires or drains their drive.

Reviewing your past successes to spot common themes is also beneficial. "Avoid focusing solely on the recent past, because we all have a tendency for recency bias that can impede your judgment," she states.

She also notes it is important to determine what place your job plays in your life.

This involves being honest about the amount of time you're working and its effect on your social and social life.

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

2. Implement Incremental Actions

The expert states that individuals can take incremental moves towards changing careers without diving in headfirst.

She required a long period to make the jump from a corporate role to running a company full-time, working on her project while still employed, which meant she could pay herself.

"It required more time, but that represented my approach sustainably," she says.

She suggests an experimental approach.

This could be pro bono work, participating in a professional project that captures your interest, or saying yes to something different within your current team.

"Worst case scenario, you find out that area isn't for you, but it's better to learn now rather than after you've made the move," she states.

She also advises looking into interim roles. These may not be the perfect role, yet they function as a move towards your goal, such as a role with similarities to your desired career, though not in the exact area.

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

"That can be an intelligent strategy for getting nearer to a new career."

3. Recall Your Achievements

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

One professional was the top editor for a fashion publication, but a few years ago she lost their jobs following a decision to ceased print operations.

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

"Your experience doesn't go away simply due to lost your job.

"Don't give up your power, it's important for everybody to remember their own value."

Another professional lost her job after a decade at a financial magazine following a regime change in management and the appointment of a new editor.

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

"With many professionals losing jobs, it's rarely personal. It's probably not about you, so refrain from bearing that burden of shame forward."

4. Develop a Professional Checklist

When you're urgently looking for work or are profoundly unhappy in your current role, you might be tempted to apply hastily for any job – overlooking your own happiness.

Yet, this can be a big misstep.

Rather, she recommends a method called "browsing" – focusing your search down to position summaries that sound interesting.

She suggests browsing professional networks and collecting several that appeal to you.

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