Being made redundant can be very disorienting. If this happens to you, you may find yourself asking questions like, ‘where do I go now?’, ‘is it time to reinvent myself?’, ‘is it back to square one?’, ‘am I still employable?’
For people who’ve been with a company for a decade or two (or more!) it can be especially disruptive and disheartening. It’s probably been years since you dug out your resume and worked through the application process. When you haven’t done it for a long time, job hunting can be a real challenge.
If you’re facing redundancy, don’t panic. Here are 3 simple steps to work through to get you back on the market feeling great.
1. Figure out what you want
As daunting as it may seem for you right now, for some people redundancy has been the best thing that ever happened to them! It gives you the opportunity to take a step back and re-evaluate what it is you really want to achieve in your life and career.
Is this the time you explore starting your own business? Is it time for a long overdue holiday to get refreshed? Can you do some classes and take some time to upskill before heading into a brand new role?
Whatever it is for you, be clear on what you want – and write it down. Doing this will make this new phase of your life so much more positive and driven by the right things.
2. Develop a plan
Once you’ve got an idea of what you want to do next, it’s time to create a plan. Start to think a bit more granularly about what you hope to do next. What are you passionate about? What suits your lifestyle and work ethic?
If you care about the environment, perhaps it’s time to apply for organisations that value this too. If you long to help customers through face-to-face conversations, challenge yourself by seeking a role that involves this. If you want to spend more time with your family, consider looking for a role that can offer you 3 or 4 days of work a week… and perhaps you can finally get around to those passion projects on your days off.
Once you’ve got a clear idea of what you want in your new role, it’s time to prepare yourself to get the job. Yes, this means dusting off the old CV and preparing yourself for interviews. There are plenty of online resources that can help you with this, or you can work with a specialised recruiter (like us!) who will give you personalised advice and help you prep for each interview before you go in.
3. Build your support network
When it comes to finding work it’s often ‘who you know, not what you know’, as they say. While you can certainly find your next opportunity by applying for advertised positions, it often helps to reach out to your professional network – past colleagues, friends, family and contacts – to see if they know someone who’s hiring.
Keep in mind, no one can connect you with exciting roles that align with your values and goals like a specialised recruiter. Do yourself a favour and find a good recruiter who can help you explore your options and figure out what to do next. A great recruiter will help you work out what your next steps are, and put you in touch with valuable opportunities that you may not have been able to find yourself.
Finally, consider reaching out to mentors both within your industry and outside of it. These are people who can provide an outsider’s perspective on your situation. It always helps to have mentors on hand who can hold you accountable and follow up with you on your progress. They’ll help you ensure you don’t lose sight of what you want and prompt you to strive for the best outcome on your next adventure.
Once you’ve worked your way through these 3 steps, execute on your plan. Don’t worry – you’ve got a strategy, and if you stick to it you’re sure to find meaningful work in no time. If you’ve been let go from your job and aren’t sure where to go next, we’d be happy to help you work through this time. Reach out to our team for a free career consultation over coffee.
