Redundancy can be a soul-destroying event. You’ve spent the best years of your life working for ‘the company’ and suddenly you are out on your ear. Companies have even been known to ‘break the news’ by pinning a list of names on the notice board with the subtle message, ‘If you’re name’s not on this list, you’re up for redundancy’. Nice.
It is easy to sink into an abyss at this point. We’re brought up to believe in the work ethic and a responsibility to provide for our ‘nearest and dearest’ is instilled in us long before we ever start our first job. When it’s all taken away from you and you are left peering over the edge, what do you do?
The answer is not to give up.
Here are six ideas to implement with which to beat the redundancy blues as well as keeping yourself fighting fit for when that job offer does come along. Remember, finding work is a job just like any other job you’ve done, only this time you are self-employed.
Remember there’s no shame in redundancy
It’s easy to feel embarrassed about what’s happened to you when, in fact, you’ve done nothing wrong. You were just unlucky – the consequence of a trend in the market, the victim of a bad decision by management or the whim of an accountant’s pen. Don’t drop out of circulation, and keep in touch with your workmates and friends. Each one of them is a potential source of information about a new job as well as a provider of emotional support.
Keep going to work
Your home is now your office. That means getting up on time, going to your desk, reading the jobs columns, writing letters, making phone calls, searching the internet and anything and everything associated with getting yourself back to work.
Win the battles and the war will surely follow
Obviously the end goal is getting a job but that’s ‘too big’ a concept. You need to have daily successes such as getting x applications out, finding y new sources of work and being invited to z interviews. Set goals and keep a chart to monitor your success. Award yourself a point every time you reach one and then give yourself a small treat when you’ve got a specific number of points.
The working day doesn’t last all day
It’s a temptation when working from home to just keep going – don’t. Have a time in your mind when you clock off and stick to it. If it’s ‘going home time’, say ‘goodnight’ to your job-hunting files and go and do something else – they’ll still be there waiting for you in the morning.
Stay healthy
Allocate at least a part of every day to going for a stroll, doing some exercises, working in the garden, cycling into town, taking the dog for a walk, going swimming and so on. It doesn’t matter what it is as long as it gets you out of the house and stops your muscles from atrophying.
It’s nothing personal
Remember, your redundancy was no reflection on your abilities (if it had been, you would have been dismissed, not made redundant). Don’t let anyone look down their noses at you – it could just as easily happen to them tomorrow. No job is 100% safe and nothing is guaranteed so don’t let it get you down.
Keep a positive attitude despite the knocks that you will surely get and, sooner or later, a job offer will land on your doormat. Redundancy is the beginning as well as the end.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I have been made redundant and looking for a new career with Marks and Spencers. I have been a customer for over twenty-five years and love every thing about the company. I’ll let you know how I get on.
Interesting write up. “Life after redundancy”
At present I have been made redundant more than 10 times.
Either being sold off or swallowed by larger companies leaving many without work.
Job hunting and job centres. In a way I feel a little sorry for the staff as they do not get the support to support us.
Firstly they do not understand some of the previous job types/Roles.
Secondly most job centres will tell you that you have not done enough. Even though I will happily spend 12 hours a day trying to find something I may be accepted for with “cross over skills” and no “job specific qualifications” ?.
Third as we all know we have to try ALL job types to at least get started.
Hardest question to answer “What do you want to do now”. How do you answer that with redundant skills that are very job specific.
We are told we can re-train: actual answer there is No training available due to cuts ” or over the age of 24. I know how to get work but can not re-train to another field. Not with out large amounts of cash and time. Neither of these do I posses.
Also becoming very apparent to get back into any previous roles, experience is irrelevant and degree’s are prevalent !. By the time I had one of these it will be to late “but nice”.
When will a change be made to remove “internal job advertisements” from the out side market place. Also stop companies and agencies from using job sites and window advertisements for non existent vacancies for data collection, making the job market totally transparent. “yes this apparently does happen”
Age and any disabilities still seem to be an interesting factor when applying for jobs or even at the interview for the job applied for, as I am well aware. !
It’s a practiced art trying to get around these.
I’m so glad that I read your post. It is really soul and hope reviving for those people who are losing their hopes because of redundancy. I would like to give lot of points on your tips as they are really inspiring and I’m touched with your tips. I hope more people will read your blog. I would also like to add that seeking for a help from a professional could help a lot for a people that is been affected emotionally by redundancy.