1. Allow yourself to adjust and emotionally recover – seek friends, etc
When you first find out your role has been made redundant, you will go through a range of emotions. As irrational as they often are, the feelings form our reality and only time and communication will help you adjust to your new circumstances. Some common emotions include:
Shame: People often feel shame and embarrassment, feeling they have failed or were not a valuable employee, and this can cause a hit to one’s pride and confidence.
Anger: You may feel angry, a sense that your loyalty to the organisation has been betrayed, and that you are no longer needed – remember, it is usually the position that causes a redundancy, not the person.
Fear: concerns about how you will earn an income will also come to the surface. Will your family be gravely impacted by your redundancy? Do you have the confidence in your ability to find another position?
If you do not come to terms with these emotions in the early stages of your redundancy, you may come across as having “baggage” at interview stage. Your bitterness or lack of confidence or desperation will come through and affect your changes of obtaining employment. So whilst all of the above emotions are perfectly normal, working through them is paramount to your future. Talk to people in your personal network; the more you talk about it, the more your feelings will become rational and you will start to feel a sense of control.
2. Use an Outplacement service if your employer was good enough to offer it to you
Experienced Outplacement Consultants can work with you get you “job ready”. UK research suggests that candidates who receive outplacement services are between 2-5 times more likely land another job within 6 months. A good outplacement service will focus on key areas such as:
– Personal adjustment and self-evaluation: this is an opportunity for you vent your feelings, regain control and establish direction. Identify your key skills and job experience, with particular emphasis on transferable skills
– Resume / CV writing and redesign
– Job search strategy including sources of career and job opportunities, building your social network and applying for opportunities
– Interview preparation and coaching as well as how to negotiate offers
3. Treat a job hunt like your next project, with a plan, a purpose and intention
Many people get bogged down with “life” after being made redundant; getting busy doing house renovations, children school pickups, projects that have remained dormant for years etc. This is a great opportunity to give time to other parts of your life, but it is crucial to stay focused on your job search as well.
Have a plan and set yourself goals. These can vary depending on your situation, however some common goals include:
– Number of jobs applied for
– Number of personal contacts spoken to
– Number of F/up emails/calls made
– Time spent reviewing job adverts
By keeping tabs on your activities, when you are completing activities other than searching for a job, you can feel satisfied that you are putting the effort in. Staying focused will ensure you get a role sooner than someone that takes a haphazard approach.
Finally, keep the head up and ensure you do what you need to stay mentally and physically active. Exercise if it helps. Catch up with friends if it helps. Most of all, back yourself and trust that the process of job hunting, if done well, will result in a job.
Note, our MD, Brian Briscoe will be conducting a series of radio interviews on this very topic on ABC720 in the coming weeks. Visit our website Home Page for details.
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