Overcoming being made redundant can feel like a mountain too steep to climb. Even if it wasn’t entirely unexpected, the shock of losing your job is overwhelming. It’s like you’re suddenly cast adrift in an unfamiliar sea without the ability to navigate.
Speaking as someone who has experienced it first hand, I can tell you that the process of overcoming redundancy and moving forward isn’t as daunting as it first seems. In fact, with the right mindset and strategic approach, this could be a stepping stone towards even better opportunities.
Your initial reaction will probably be one of panic or fear – totally normal! However, with each action you take to move forward, these feelings will subside.
This post is mostly about the practical things you can do after being made redundant. You can check out this post for some guidance on dealing with the emotional impact of finding yourself out of a job.
Updating Your Professional Profile
In the face of redundancy, it’s essential to revamp your professional presence. This includes updating your resume and LinkedIn profile with recent achievements or newly acquired skills.
To stand out from other jobseekers, your unique skill set should be at the forefront in these updates. You should also focus on the impact you had in your previous roles. Recruiters and hiring managers don’t want to read your previous 5 job descriptions, but they will want to know what you actually achieved. Focus on including metrics that quantify just how amazing you were.
More tips on improving your LinkedIn can be found in this post.
Networking Your Way Back into Employment
The significance of networking in the job hunt, especially post-redundancy, is immense. It’s about creating and nurturing relationships that can unlock opportunities you might not have been aware existed.
Your network extends far beyond your immediate circle to include past colleagues, friends from various spheres of life, alumni groups, family members, and even casual acquaintances. These individuals could provide invaluable insights on potential openings or companies seeking talents with a unique skill set like yours.
In addition to traditional methods of networking such as industry events – which offer chances for interaction with leaders in your field and peers who share similar interests – online communities are now playing an increasingly important role too.
Beyond leveraging existing networks though, it may be beneficial to take a proactive approach by reaching out directly to organisations that pique your interest. While this piece of advice might sound like something your parents used to tell you, there is some merit in being tenacious and “knocking on the door” of companies you are interested in working for. Of course, be prepared for 100 rejections (or being ignored) for every 1 invite to have a conversation.
Leveraging Recruitment Agencies
If it’s been a while since you were last unemployed, the job market will likely seem daunting. However, there are experts out there who can help guide your journey back into employment. Recruitment agencies can play a key role in getting you back to work.
Navigating the Job Market with Expertise
Good recruitment agencies will have deep market knowledge and extensive global connections. They specialise in matching professionals with companies looking for specific expertise – a crucial service when moving forward after redundancy. It’s worth taking the time to identify the agencies that best serve your particular job field, area of expertise or preferred industry. The big players may not always be your best option, as there is a risk that you become a very small cog in their very big machine. Of course, the flip side of this is that the big agencies have global reach and connections to hundreds, if not thousands, of clients / organisations looking to hire people.
Smaller or boutique agencies often have a more in-depth knowledge and connections, albeit within a more niche segment. They also often take the time to know their candidates (you) much better, so can present you to prospective employers more effectively.
Regardless of the size of the agency, remember you are essentially the product they are trying to sell. So you need to make yourself as marketable as possible. Follow the advice in this post to help with that!
Lifelong Learning – Upskilling & Reskilling
Prioritising lifelong learning can be an effective strategy for moving forward post-redundancy. This involves seeking additional training or qualifications that could enhance your employability and set you apart in the job market.
In today’s digital age, there are numerous online platforms offering high-quality courses across various disciplines. These e-learning resources can be hugely beneficial, as they enable you to enhance your skills on your own schedule from the convenience of home. More and more employers recognise the validity of these platforms in skill development.
The Power of Online Education Platforms
Coursera, Udemy, and edX are just some examples of popular e-learning platforms where individuals can gain new skills or deepen their knowledge in specific areas. They offer both free and paid courses on everything from data science to business management, programming languages, artificial intelligence, graphic design – essentially anything under the sun.
Taking advantage of these educational opportunities not only expands your skillset but also shows potential employers that you’re proactive about personal development even during challenging times like redundancy periods.
Finding Your Niche with Specialised Courses
Apart from general education platforms, there are several specialised websites providing industry-specific training too. For instance, Codecademy is excellent for those interested in coding while HubSpot Academy presents marketing professionals with valuable insights into inbound strategies.
Revisiting Your Career Goals
The redundancy phase can be a transformative period for reevaluating your professional objectives. This challenging time could also serve as an opportunity to ponder what you genuinely desire from your career. Just because you have always done something doesn’t necessarily mean you always have to do it.
You might discover that the industry or role you were previously in wasn’t completely aligned with your passions and goals. Now is the moment to pinpoint not only your unique skill set but also any transferable skills that could unlock opportunities in different sectors.
Even more radical, some people, after being made redundant, realise that they have actually lost their interest in the role or field they were working in and choose to pursue something totally different.
Identifying Unique Skills
Your distinctive skill set consists of abilities that separate you from others within the job market, such as specialised technical knowledge, leadership prowess, or creative problem-solving capabilities – all highly sought after across various industries.
Finding Transferable Skills
Beyond these exclusive competencies, it’s equally critical to recognise transferable skills – those applicable across multiple roles or sectors like communication talents, project management expertise, or proficiency with certain software tools. Identifying these can significantly widen potential employment pathways.
Exploring New Roles
New roles emerging within various industries could align perfectly with your existing skills and interests. Take, for instance, the role of data scientist, which has emerged in recent years. This position has seen substantial demand growth recently in the tech industry.
If you have experience handling large datasets or strong analytical abilities, exploring such avenues can prove worthwhile. Reading up comprehensively about these roles will provide insights into what employers are seeking and help tailor applications accordingly.
Leveraging online resources like job boards and industry blogs can also offer valuable information when researching potential career paths post-redundancy.
Looking ahead
There’s no getting around it, losing your job hurts. But in most cases, there’s no getting it back once it’s gone. Rather than dwell on the past, it’s better to devote your energies to the next chapter. There is a lot you can do to shape your own future!
