How to Handle Redundancy

The economy is extremely rocky at the moment, we have a potential recession looming over our heads. Which makes it an unpredictable time for all of us. Your company might be in the process of downsizing due to this. In this case, you may need to be prepared for redundancy. Now, this can be a scary time for anyone! Whether you’ve gone through it or are scared about the potential it may happen, we are going to go through some things you can do to handle it or prepare for it.

Take a breath

This seems easier said than done. But take a breath and don’t panic. Take at least 24 to 48 hours to ask yourself questions such as:

• Do I qualify for unemployment payments?
• Is Universal Credit going to be helpful?
• Realistically, where do I want to work? And what sector?
• Should I take a bridge job?
• Is my CV up to scratch?
• Is this an ideal opportunity to consider planning a new career path?

There may be more questions needed, depending on your situation. If you don’t know what a bridge job is, it is a temporary job, while you look for a position that feels like a better fit. It can also bridge career gaps. You need to seriously think about these questions, it may feel embarrassing at first but there are services there that are specifically designed for this. Such as Universal Credit. If you feel like it’s going to help, apply!

Get your CV in order

Spend time gathering and analysing job descriptions for the positions you want. If you’re going to work in a specific sector, have a quick Indeed search and see what’s available and start to see where you can apply. Then tailor your LinkedIn profile and your CV to align with the type of role you want to land. Take time to really understand what they’re asking, what qualifications they want you to have and what they actually say in the job description.

Choose your references

Furthermore, you need to get the right references in your CV. We’ve talked about the importance of choosing the right references in a previous blog post, but they can really make or break the job process. Maybe you can reach out and let any references know that you’ve lost your job due to redundancy and tell them the type of position you’re looking for. Give them a copy of your LinkedIn profile as well. They could also help by keeping an eye out for any potential job opportunities.

Develop a routine

Set yourself up for success by adopting a similar routine to your work day, during your job search. Applying this routine to your search will help you set healthy boundaries between your job search and your personal life. Especially if you’re on Universal Credit. They ask you to commit a specific amount of time to search for a job, but you also need time for your personal life.

Focus on what you can control

Focus on what you can do to increase your chances of getting a job interview. For example, set a goal of networking for 5 hours every week. Sending emails and connection requests or getting in touch with old coworkers. Also, focus on the quality of your job applications, not the quantity. As having better job applications gives you time to really think about each application that you’re putting in and how you can make it the best to land yourself an interview.

Ask for help

Never be ashamed to ask for help during your job search, whether that’s professional mental health help, a GP doctor or just having a trusted friend to lean on. There is no reason to go it alone when it comes to job searching.No matter how you’ve come to look for a job, you should always try and look at the positives you experienced on the job and how that can transfer into another one.

Make time for fun

Focusing on tasks without breaks or time off will ultimately lead to burnout. Whether mental or physical. Allowing yourself time to enjoy your hobbies, meet up with friends or family, get outside or just simply do nothing and relax with no guilt. This will give you the space and time to recharge.

We know it’ll be a scary time and you’ll be and you’ll be anxious and worried about finding a new job quickly. However, it’s also important to take care of yourself during this time. If not you can make things worse and your health could deteriorate. It’s easier said than done, but don’t feel stressed! Try to take each day as it comes.