How do you take control of your career after a redundancy?
Redundancy is a challenging experience that many professionals face at some point in their careers. It’s important to understand that a redundancy is not a reflection of your abilities or worth.
With over 24 years supporting professionals in transition to reinvent their careers, I understand very well the emotional roller coaster that a redundancy can create – especially when it was sudden and unexpected.
It’s essential to remember that redundancies occur often because of broader economic factors and necessary organisational changes.
But when it does happen to YOU, it can hit hard. Having a coach to guide you through the experience and the rebuilding process helps to make your transition smoother and faster.
I’ve created this comprehensive guide to help you manage the aftermath of redundancy and get back in control of your life and career. From handling stress and finances to crafting a winning job search strategy and preparing for interviews, I have you covered.
Managing Stress and Emotional Well-being
Acknowledge Your Feelings
Redundancy can trigger a range of emotions including anger, fear, and sadness. Acknowledging these feelings is the first step in managing them effectively.
- Accept Your Emotions: It’s okay to feel upset or anxious. Allow yourself to experience these emotions without judgment.
- Seek Support: Talk to friends, family, or your career coach about your feelings. Sharing your experience can provide emotional relief and new perspectives.
Practice Self-Care
Taking care of your physical and mental health is crucial during this period.
- Exercise Regularly: Physical activity can reduce stress and improve your mood.
- Healthy Eating: A balanced diet supports overall well-being.
- Mindfulness and Meditation: Techniques like mindfulness meditation can help you stay grounded and reduce anxiety. I created these 2 meditations to help you refocus and relax: www.janejacksoncoach.com/meditation
Take a Mental Health Break
Before jumping into job search mode, give yourself some time to decompress.
- Short Vacation: If feasible, take a few days off to relax and recharge.
- Hobbies and Interests: Engage in activities you enjoy boosting your mood and distract from negative thoughts.
- Some of my clients have taken up to a week to refresh and refocus at a meditation retreat or spa.
Getting Your Finances in Order
Assess Your Financial Situation
Understanding your financial standing will help you make informed decisions and reduce stress.
- Review Savings and Expenses: Calculate your savings and list essential expenses to determine how long you can sustain yourself.
- Budgeting: Create a budget to manage your finances more effectively during this period.
Explore Financial Assistance
Look into any financial support options available to you.
- Severance Package: If applicable, understand the details of your severance package.
- Unemployment Benefits: Apply for unemployment benefits if you’re eligible.
- Government Assistance: Research other forms of financial aid, such as food assistance or utility relief programs.
Building Confidence
Reflect on Past Achievements
Remind yourself of your professional accomplishments to boost your confidence.
- List Accomplishments: Write down your key achievements and the skills you used to attain them.
- Positive Affirmations: Use positive affirmations to build a positive mindset. Download and print my Positive Affirmations to repeat every morning.
Upskill and Reskill
Consider learning new skills or improving existing ones to enhance your employability.
- Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and Udemy offer numerous courses.
- Certifications: Obtain certifications relevant to your industry to stand out to potential employers.
- Career Podcasts such as How to Get a Job on iTunes or Spotify are a good start (and free) to give you a boost with valuable tips to get the process right.
- Online Courses such as How to Write a Powerful Resume and How to Ace Your Job Interview help you to get up to speed with the latest ways to make job applications and prepare for those behavioural questions.
Self-Assessments for Career Clarity
Identify Strengths and Weaknesses
Conduct a self-assessment to gain clarity on your professional strengths and areas for improvement.
- SWOT Analysis: Perform a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to better understand your position.
- Feedback: Seek feedback from colleagues or mentors to gain additional insights.
- Complete the Career Clarity Pack which includes a series of self-assessments to help you understand what really makes you tick, what you have been tolerating in your life, the best work environment for you and also to identify your transferrable skills,
Define Your Career Goals
Clarify your career aspirations to direct your job search effectively.
- Short-Term and Long-Term Goals: Define what you want to achieve in the next few months and years.
- Ideal Job Criteria: List the characteristics of your ideal job, such as industry, role, company culture, and location.
- Download this [free] Career Goals Calendar to help you stay on track with SMART goals and a Weekly Action Plan.
Identifying Accomplishments
Gather Evidence of Achievements
Document your career achievements to highlight your value to potential employers.
- Performance Reviews: Use previous performance reviews to identify and document your accomplishments.
- Quantifiable Results: Focus on achievements that can be quantified, such as sales figures, project completions, and cost savings. Consider working with a career coach to help you to unpack the solutions you provide and the results you have achieved. Book a complimentary exploratory 15-minute chat to discuss how coaching can help you to smoothly make a successful transition.
Create a Portfolio
A professional portfolio can be an excellent tool to showcase your work.
- Project Samples: Include samples of your work, such as reports, presentations, or designs.
- Testimonials: Collect testimonials from colleagues, clients, or supervisors that speak to your skills and achievements. Keep them in a folder on your desktop or a physical file as a ‘brag book’ to review whenever you need a confidence boost.
Creating Marketing Materials
Resume
A well-crafted resume is essential for your job search.
- Tailor to Each Job: Customise your resume for each application to highlight the most relevant experience.
- Professional Format: Use a clean, professional format and ensure there are no errors.
- Achievements-Focused: Emphasise your accomplishments and the impact you had in previous roles.
Cover Letter
A compelling cover letter can differentiate you from other candidates.
- Personalised: Address the letter to the hiring manager and mention specific reasons why you’re interested in the role.
- Value Proposition: Clearly state what you can bring to the company and how your skills align with the job requirements.
LinkedIn Profile
An optimised LinkedIn profile increases your visibility to recruiters.
- Professional Photo: Use a high-quality, professional headshot.
- Headline and Summary: Write a compelling headline and summary that highlight your expertise and career aspirations.
- Experience and Skills: Update your experience and skills sections to reflect your most recent and relevant work.
- For help with your LinkedIn profile check out the LinkedIn for Career Success online course
Assessing the Job Market
Research Industry Trends
Understanding current trends in your industry can help you identify opportunities and tailor your job search.
- Job Boards and Industry Reports: Regularly check job boards and read industry reports to stay informed.
- Company News: Follow companies of interest on LinkedIn to learn about their hiring trends and news.
Identify In-Demand Skills
Focus on developing skills that are currently in high demand.
- Job Descriptions: Analyse job descriptions in your field to identify commonly sought-after skills.
- Skill Gap Analysis: Compare your skills to those in demand and identify areas for improvement.
Job Search Strategies
Job Boards and Company Websites
Utilize various platforms to find job opportunities.
- Popular Job Boards: Use sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor.
- Company Websites: Visit the careers sections of companies you’re interested in to find open positions.
Recruitment Agencies
Recruitment agencies can help match you with suitable job openings.
- Register with Agencies: Sign up with several reputable recruitment agencies in your field.
- Maintain Contact: Stay in regular contact with your recruiters to remain top-of-mind.
Networking
Networking is a powerful tool for uncovering job opportunities.
- Reach Out to Contacts: Inform your professional network that you’re looking for new opportunities.
- Attend Events: Participate in industry events, conferences, and meetups.
- Online Networking: Engage with professionals in your field through LinkedIn and industry forums.
Job Interview Preparation
Research the Company
Thorough preparation demonstrates your interest and suitability for the role.
- Company Background: Learn about the company’s history, mission, values, and recent news.
- Role Requirements: Understand the key responsibilities and requirements of the role you’re applying for.
- Practice your Interview technique – use the Interview Prep feature on LinkedIn to record yourself answering common interview questions and get feedback from your peers or career coach.
Mock Interviews
Conduct mock interviews to build confidence and improve your performance.
- Feedback: Ask a friend or mentor to conduct a mock interview and provide feedback.
- Professional Services: Consider using professional interview coaching services.
Getting Over the Redundancy
Facing redundancy can be daunting, but with a structured approach, you can regain control of your career and job search. By managing stress, organizing your finances, building confidence, and developing a strategic job search plan, you can turn this challenging period into an opportunity for growth and new beginnings.
Remember, redundancy is not a reflection of your abilities—it’s a chance to redefine your career path and pursue new opportunities with renewed vigour and clarity.
Most of my clients have told me that, although they did not see it at the time, their redundancy was actually a blessing in disguise because when one door closes, another one always opens – and often with an even more suitable opportunity!
I wish you all the best with your career transition and if I can be of support to you, send me a message and let’s set up a time to chat about your next career move.
