This article is focused on providing our 3 top tips to help you bounce back from redundancy however, before we get to the tips we feel like we must share some stats. Losing your job is one of life’s most stressful events. Sadly, it’s also incredibly common. The World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates that over 5 million white-collar jobs could be lost by 2020.
For many that reality is hitting home in a hugely personal way. We’ve had so many high-profile closures on our high-streets, the latest casualty being House of Fraser with 6,000 jobs at risk as well as a steady stream of Brexit-related City job loss headlines. If it happens to you, don’t panic. Check out our tips for bouncing back from redundancy.
Don’t play the blame game
The first step to bounce back from redundancy is to not take it personally. Try to avoid blaming individuals or acting out any bitter revenge. You’ll probably need a reference and your former colleagues can be a great network for future opportunities.
Stay calm and professional and take practical steps to make the best of the situation. First on your to-do list is 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.
Refresh your job-hunting strategy
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 – 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.
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.
The key to confident interviewing is preparation. Practice talking about your key selling points and rehearse positive, professional responses to questions about your redundancy. If you’ve got specific concerns, are out of practice or have anxiety about interviews, consider some professional coaching.
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.
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 bounce back – you might even land a better job.
Our 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.