We’ve all been there. That awful moment when you find out you’ve lost your job. You experience a range of feelings in a short period of time. Everything from shock, anger, sadness and resentment, to frustration, rejection, anxiety and denial. However, in some cases, particularly if your workplace was toxic, you might feel an overwhelming sense of relief.
Don’t take redundancy personally
There are so many different reasons for redundancy; many revolve around organisational changes including cost saving, business closing or moving, new technology/new systems, your job no longer exists. But if you are unfortunate enough to be made redundant, try to remember that the decision was not personal, and you are not to blame. You need to keep calm, stay positive and see it as a building block for change. After all, it can provide you with a chance to:
- Take stock of your situation
- Look at your options
- Focus on moving forwards, rather than looking back
- Talk to friends, family and colleagues and make sure you process your feelings
- Get help and advice from professional recruiters
Finally, remember sometimes, when one door closes, another will open.
Kickstart your efforts
If someone has hit pause on your career goals and progression, it’s important to take the time to build your confidence back up and make job hunting as quick, painless and efficient as possible. Here are some top tips to help you to bounce back after redundancy.
1. Refocus your mindset
It’s important to have a positive mindset and instead of focusing on the negatives, embrace the positives. Remember your skills, strengths and what you can bring to a new role. By remaining clam, methodical and logical will help you to increase your confidence and build your resilience so you can focus on proactively moving forward.
2. Reassess your career and work-life
Decide what you want from your future career, do you want a similar role, to work in the same sector or are you looking to do something completely different? Will you need additional skills or qualifications or is extra research required?
3. Revisit your CV
It may have been a few years since you last updated it. Take the time to refresh it, adding in work experience, skills and any other things that are important to include – responsibilities, interests, relevant keywords etc. Also look at the layout and length, ensuring it looks and reads well. If necessary, you could also tailor it specifically for certain jobs that you are applying for.
4. Leverage your contacts
In your career you’ll have made many profession connections, it’s time to update them on your current situation and reach out for advice and support. Message, send emails or call people to meet up – it’s important to be proactive. Also, remember to change your LinkedIn profile and perhaps start to connect with people in the field you would like to work in, or select recommended recruiters with a view to asking for their help and sign up to receive job alerts.
5. Be prepared for interviews
If your job search is successful, you will be invited for an interview. It’s essential that you are fully prepared for this and come across as confident, approachable, likeable and can tell them what you can bring to the role. It may be worth having a few practice interview sessions, or coaching sessions, so you fully know what to expect and can expertly handle any potentially difficult questions, particularly around the reasons for your redundancy.
How can I help?
If you feel that you may need additional help in securing another job after redundancy, please get in touch – 07780 692784 or debby@total-spectrum.com I offer CV and covering letter writing assistance, interview preparation and coaching sessions, so you can get the job you deserve.
