Moving forward after redundancy: Our tips to get back on track
Being made redundant can feel like a significant blow. Loss of income, daily routine, self esteem, even identity can significantly impact your mental health. So with that in mind we’ve prepared some simple tips to get you back on track if you find yourself in this situation.
1.First, take care of yourself. It's okay to feel upset, frustrated, or uncertain about the future. Allow yourself time to process your emotions. Once you've had a chance to reflect, it's time to focus on the future. Most redundancies are not personal, so focus on shifting your perspective and see this as an opportunity for career growth.
2. Approach your former managers and ask them to be referees. It’s also a great help if they will write you a recommendation on LinkedIn, or provide a written reference (or both). Having these on hand to share with potential employers will really help support your job search.
3. Get crystal clear about what you want to do next. What are the must haves vs nice to haves in a new role? What sort of company do you want to work for? Is location important to you? What elements of your previous role did you love? What skills to you have? What are your strengths? If you’re not sure where to start, reach out to former colleagues / managers and ask them what they think your strengths are. This is also a great confidence booster 🙌
4. Update your CV & LinkedIn profile. If you were in a permanent role the chances are your CV isn’t up to date. Reflect on your recent achievements and identify your strengths so you can showcase these. Be specific. Include facts & figures where possible. Click here for more CV tips.
5. Reach out to your network directly, or through LinkedIn and let them know what you are looking for. This includes former colleagues you’d like to work with again, people you know at companies you’d like to work for, friends, relatives, friends of friends. Follow up any invitations, accept coffee chats, you never know where they may lead you. Set up job alerts on LinkedIn, and directly with companies that appeal to you.
6. Connect with recruiters who specialise in your area of expertise. Finding yourself unexpectedly back in the job market can feel overwhelming. Along with CV & interview tips, recruiters can introduce you to relevant contacts, and are often briefed on roles which have not been advertised yet - often giving you exclusive access to these roles.
7. Be proactive and focused on your job search. Set aside a few hours each day to take specific action such as applying for jobs, researching companies of interest, growing your network, chatting to recruiters who might be able to help.
Adopting a positive attitude can make all the difference when it comes to finding a new job. Remember, you are not defined by your redundancy, and there are plenty of opportunities out there.
If redundancy has affected you, reach out to one of our specialist consultants for a confidential chat.
We’d love to hear from you!
