A sad consequence of the pandemic was a significant increase in the number of redundancies businesses had to make. But it’s not just during pandemics that redundancies occur.
Redundancy, like divorce or the death of a loved one, can be one of the most life-disrupting events and being distressed by losing your job is perfectly natural. It is one of the most frightening challenges you are likely to face in your professional life. However, once the initial shock passes there can be some genuine positives that arise from the situation as it will give you the chance to re-evaluate your career path/goals and plan for your next challenge.
Remember this: You Are Good!
After being made redundant, it is perfectly natural to experience some element of self-doubt. However, it is important to remember that it is unlikely that you will have been made redundant due to your performance and that it will also have been a difficult decision for your employer to let you go. Any decision that was made will not have been a personal reflection on you or your skills but because of your company’s commercial situation which, at the moment, are largely due to the economic change we are experiencing.
You Are Not Alone:
It is normal to have concerns that an employer could be sceptical about the reasons for a candidate’s redundancy however, there really is far less stigma attached to redundancy than there used to be especially given the highly unusual nature of our current economic circumstances. Over the past 20 years we have lived through a number of financial crises, seen businesses outsource functions abroad and seen a major advance in technology which, put simply, has removed the need for people in certain roles. Add to that the current pandemic and it would be unreasonable for employers to view redundancies in a negative vein; indeed, a redundancy on a CV looks better than two short roles that you have left of your own accord.
Our Tips:
1. Headspace
Although you may be extremely worried about what is ahead, make sure you have taken at least a few days to get your head in the right space to look. Try not to be dormant for weeks if you want to avoid a large gap between jobs but redundancy is stressful and so it is important to take a few days out to reflect.
2. Planning
In today’s market, it could be very tempting to rush your job search and, if financial pressures exist, then that may be what you need to do. However, try to remember that the market will start to pick up and that you will want to be sure that any permanent job you take will be one in which you feel comfortable and can help you achieve your career goals. Take time to decide what your longer-term career goals are and the types of roles/companies that are likely to enhance your ability to achieve these.
Once you are ready to commence your search you need to establish a daily routine to coherently and systematically conduct your search. Try not to sleep away your break but stay motivated and pro-active in your search. Speak to the agencies that you respect and trust but also make sure you have time each day to look at jobs that are being recruited directly. Re-connect with your networks and let them know you are looking for work. They may know of positions within their current organisations or through other people they know.
3. Get Your CV Right
It is imperative that you have your CV ready to send out. Take your time writing this and get friends, ex-colleagues and family to read it and give you honest feedback. Your CV should be slightly different for every job you apply for but it is important to have the basic template set out. Read through our short presentation which will hand-hold you through each aspect of your CV and feel free to contact us directly for help. Click here for our short CV writing presentation. If you are someone that learns more from hearing and seeing then click here for the same presentation but with commentary. It is important to remember that, where your CV is concerned, one size absolutely does NOT fit all and it really should be adapted for each and every role you apply for.
4. Social Media/Personal Branding
It is vital that your social media channels are updated to reflect your personal brand in the best way possible. Update your LinkedIn profile and other professional social media, make sure that your security settings on personal social media such as Facebook and Twitter are set so that people can only see things you want them to. Our presentation on LinkedIn and Social Media will help you understand both how to create your profile but also how to utilise social media in the best possible way to help in your job search. Click here to access the presentation.
5. Research Before Applying
When you are applying directly for roles make sure that you take some time to research the organisation and have read and re-read the job description to get a thorough understanding. Then tailor the CV as per the previous presentation highlighting the key skills that will be most relevant for the job. If there is a chance to write a cover letter then use it as an opportunity to highlight the key skills you possess but also, and just as importantly, how you fit the company values and culture.
6. Prepare For Interviews
Interviews in the current market could and likely will be different from any you have experienced before. The majority are still telephone and then via video which brings its own challenges. Take time to practice your techniques and read our guides for useful advice:
Remote interviews
Competency Interviews
7. Think About Temporary Roles
In this market, you may consider it better to work than be sitting at home twiddling your thumbs. Temporary work can buy you some time to find the right permanent opportunity but is also a great opportunity to learn new skills. There are many benefits to working in temporary assignments, which you can find by clicking here.
Conclusion:
Remember that redundancies are sadly part of life. Try to take the positives from what your role gave you before being made redundant and focus on these points during interviews. It is also important to remember that you should put aside any ill-feeling you have towards the employer that made you redundant as this can seriously impede your chances of securing a new job if your feelings are evident in an interview. Although the initial shock can be hard and, in the current climate, it is far from ideal to lose your job, over time you will be able to see the positives that occur from redundancy. It will be a chance to take stock and decide what you want from the rest of your career. It is not the end of your career, just the start of a new chapter and by following the steps above hopefully, you will soon be in a position where you can look back on the redundancy as a positive experience that gave you the opportunity to re-evaluate your goals and move your career forwards in the right direction.
For further advice on how we can help with your job search, please do not hesitate to contact me or one of the team on 01189 560600.