Being made redundant is not the same as being redundant. Companies will layoff staff for many different reasons from a severe economic downturn to individual business failure. Note that for involuntary redundancy it is the role or position that is being made redundant – not the person. Voluntary redundancy is different and may be chosen either due to necessity or for various personal reasons. However, being made redundant for whatever reason is a chance for a new start in life – think about it.
Redundancy Advice
Seek redundancy advice especially as it relates to the legal and financial situation. That advice and help can be from family and friends, the government, dedicated public support groups and outplacement agencies. In addition there are many other sources such as informative articles like Redundancy: Cope with Unemployment or from websites like US: The Layoff Survival Guide or UK: New Life Network. Understanding what the facts are is the starting point for making any considered decisions.
Being Made Redundant
Having followed advice the situation is hopefully under control and ideally there is enough financial security to take time to consider next steps. The key priorities now:
- Take time to reflect on achievements so far and to consider what goals still need to be achieved.
- Determine whether the current career path is still the right one - is it fulfilling, offer challenge and reward. If not, what does?
- Decide next steps in consultation with family
Preparation for New Life Opportunity in Same Career Path
Continuing with the same career path with a different company and perhaps in a different location, the next step is preparation and focusing on a thorough self assessment:
- Understand strengths and weaknesses
- What gives work satisfaction and what is annoying
- Skills and achievement, work motivators and preferences
Use that self-assessment to update the CV and do any personal development such as improving interview skills or communication style. Then target the search strategy to find the next job, knowing that most positions are found through personal networks of contacts:
- Networking plan to find a job through personal contacts
- Using large and specialist recruitment agencies
- Websites, newspapers and magazines that focus on relevant career opportunities
- Contacting relevant companies directly
Preparation for New Life Opportunity
Starting a new life opportunity will in principle be be one of two options:
- Starting a business
- A different employment career path, changing profession
Starting a new business may be a fantastic opportunity, but do ensure that it is started for the right reasons. Changing to a completely different career is not necessarily easy but it can be done with perseverance and patience. Keys to changing career successfully:
- Be prepared to start at the bottom
- Be aware that it may be a step backwards financially – at least initially
- Know that it may take some time to find the right opportunity because the future employer will also probably need to "take a chance"
New Life Opportunity
Being made redundant is not ideal but it is also not the end. Take the opportunity to reassess life and ambitions and use that to then decide on how to move forward. Redundancy may offer a new life opportunity that in time will be seen as a good thing. Get past the "now" of redundancy and move forward to a bright future.
Roger Lever - Early career was in Treasury Banking and this led to my interest in financial investment, especially the stockmarket. Enjoy reading widely ...
