Losing your job is one of life’s most stressful events. Sadly, it’s also very common. Data from Acas (April 2022) showed that nearly one in five employers are likely to make redundancies over the next year.
For many, that reality is hitting home in a very personal way, especially since the pandemic and the sudden wave of redundancies that happened as a direct result.
If it happens to you, the most important thing is not to panic – and check out our tips for bouncing back from redundancy.
How do I get back from redundancy?
1. Don’t play the blame game
The first thing to remember is that although being made redundant feels agonisingly personal, it’s not a reflection on you as a professional. The role you had may be made redundant, but you still have lots of value. You haven’t lost your skills, talents, achievements and experience.
You’ll probably be feeling a range of strong emotions, but try to avoid blaming individuals or acting out any bitter revenge. You’ll likely need a reference, and your former colleagues can be a great network for future opportunities.
2. Remain calm and stay focused
Take a step back and stay focused, calm and determined. Every member of the City CV team has an uplifting story to tell about clients who have experienced redundancy but gone on to land a better job or create a whole new career. Be kind to yourself and take this opportunity to reassess your career direction and remind yourself of your skills and what you have achieved.
First on your to-do list should be a long, hard, critical look at your CV. List all your professional and personal achievements. What are you most proud of? Did you win new clients or save the company money? Write it all down. It’s a huge confidence boost and will look great on your CV.
3. Start small
Even if you’re still feeling a bit low, it is important to set realistic goals – but take them one step at a time. City CV career coaches are highly experienced at helping people deal with the emotional fallout of redundancy. It can be challenging, but they all recommend starting with small, confidence-boosting steps.
Here are some practical ways to help you feel more positive and productive as you bounce back from redundancy:
- Pin your list of strengths and achievements somewhere where they’ll act as a constant reminder.
- Add to your skills with part-time or online courses or volunteer work. Remember, there are lots of new ways to learn now. You don’t necessarily have to go back to college full time. Boot camps or other short, intense courses focusing on specific skills have become extremely popular. It’s what Simon Nelson, CEO of FutureLearn calls “micro credentials”, and anyone can benefit from them at any point in their career.
- Spend time with family and friends or on hobbies and interests that make you feel positive. Having a supportive network will help you stay confident and optimistic. Most importantly, never be afraid to ask for help.
- If you’re looking to move in a totally new career direction, a professional coach will help you gain clarity and confidence.
4. Re-assess your career and future direction
Redundancy is the perfect opportunity to re-evaluate your career to date and what’s important to you now. What are your special talents and values? What did you love about your old job – and what are you privately relieved you no longer have to face each day?
What are you most proud of? Did you win new clients or save the company money? Write it all down. It’s a huge confidence boost and will look great on your CV.
If you’ve been with the same company for several years, or you’re looking to change your career direction, the chances are that your CV and LinkedIn profile will both need an overhaul.
5. Refresh your job-hunting strategy
The recruitment market has changed beyond recognition in the last few years and you’ll likely need to revise your job-hunting strategy. Firing off your generic CV to dozens of potential employers might feel like a positive action, but it’s unlikely to lead you to a great opportunity. You’ll need to be a bit more strategic.
This is the most important step to bounce back from redundancy. A common mistake is not tweaking your CV and covering letter for each job application. Every employer’s needs are different and you absolutely have to demonstrate how you will add value. It’s also the only way to ensure you’ve got the keywords to get past the Applicant Tracking Systems that 90% of recruiters use.
Have you reviewed your social media profiles? A 100% complete and keyword optimised LinkedIn profile is vital – after all, it’s the biggest business network in the world. Jobs are also advertised on Facebook and Twitter, so make sure your profiles are up-to-date, active and professional.
6. Leverage your network
Face-to-face networking is still important. Friends, family, former colleagues, professional associations and Meetup groups are all great ways to hear about potential vacancies. You can also use them to make connections and update your industry knowledge.
Keeping in touch with your professional world is also essential to good interview preparation. Getting out there and networking means you’ll be well practised in talking about your key selling points.
It’s also worth rehearsing positive, professional responses to questions about your redundancy. And, if you’ve got specific concerns, are out of practice or have anxiety about interviews, consider some professional coaching.
7. Hold your head high because you will bounce back from redundancy
Dealing with the emotional repercussions of redundancy can be really challenging. When you’ve put so much into a career that gives you a sense of identity and achievement, redundancy is a big deal. But, it can also be an opportunity to reflect and re-evaluate your future direction – and remember, redundancy no longer holds the stigma it used to.
Set realistic goals to stay focused. But don’t push yourself too hard. Start with small confidence-boosting steps such as:
- Building your network
- Pinning your list of strengths and achievements somewhere where they’ll act as a constant reminder
- Adding to your skills with part-time or online courses or volunteer work
Don’t neglect your family, friends, hobbies and social life. Having a supportive network will help you stay confident and optimistic. And never be afraid to ask for help.
Redundancy’s a horrible experience – but it happens to the best of us. Stay focused, calm and determined, and you can get back from redundancy – you might even land a better job.
City CV’s outplacement services provide an end-to-end solution to assist you through your career transition. We’ll help you send a positive message to future employers, using a variety of practical and professional approaches designed to help you move on quickly and increase your chances of success in securing a new role.
Why not get in touch today for more information and let us help you bounce back from your redundancy.