Returning to work after redundancy
Amongst many things, redundancy can be a huge blow to your self-esteem. On top of financial uncertainty that follows, returning to work after redundancy is can be difficult, especially if the sector you are working in is having a hard time.
Whilst it’s helpful to get your mojo back, nothing beats tangible goals and actions to align yourself with. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of helpful tips that will not only ensure you return to work feeling assured of yourself, but you’ve also made some actual great connections, and some adjustments to your own branding as an employee!
Be open to different opportunities
If you find yourself made redundant, being flexible to different jobs and opportunities is a great way to open more doors immediately.
As is the case with many redundancies, they can often be an industry wide issue, proving difficult to land a job elsewhere within your chosen sector. That’s not necessarily the end of the world, as there are sectors resistant to downturn, like healthcare, which are always searching for a plethora of different skills to employ. Pivoting is always an option, and might not be the detour you’re expecting either.
Find out just how you can pivot your career with these 9 steps
Additionally, with almost every profession, transferable skills like communication, proactive problem solving and team work appear time and time again across almost every job listing. What’s more, there’s plenty of hard skills, such as IT or UX Design that are useful to almost every company too!
Whilst it might not be the path you envisioned, it’s important to see these opportunities as a chance to enrich your portfolio or work, and create more options for yourself.
Know what you are selling
As we all know, work takes up a large fraction of our time, making it hard to condense our experiences into easily digestible bullet points and headlines. Therefore, it’s often easy to over-complicate how you present yourself to perspective employers.
Deconstructing the story you are telling, and what you’re selling is key.
How to become a brilliant career storyteller
For example, your CV is your elevator pitch: eye-catching and concise. Think of it as a series of your achievements and skills, rather than your day job or life’s work. This makes a world of difference to how employees perceive you. Hopefully, it’ll give you confidence in how you perceive yourself as well!
When considering a role, take time to really examine this for the job listing, too. Really ask yourself: how can I sell myself and my experience with the role in mind?
Make sure you understand in the simplest of terms what it is they are looking for, and tailor your CV (or elevator pitch) to match.
Don’t rely on the internet for jobs
Whilst it may seem as if there’s a wealth of job listings across google searches, a lot of these listings will use third party application management software, and some might not even read the applications you put so much work into.
At the very least, you should be applying through the companies’ designated job application email or process, usually found on their website.
LinkedIn is also a great place to make connections, as it offers search filters and advanced search options when looking to network. For example, helpfully, LinkedIn will identify shared alumni from your university at given jobs, giving you a neat little opening line to connect with them! Harnessing the power of social media can really go a long way when it comes to finding new work.
Learn the art of slow networking here!
To really standout, however: pick up the phone! Make calls to some companies you’ve flagged as interesting and enquire about openings. Not only is it more direct, you’re already proving to them you’ve got the interpersonal skills needed for a position there.
Job applications are a numbers game, unfortunately, and one size does not fit all. That’s why it’s absolutely crucial to standout as an individual when networking, and putting a face/voice to the name!
Use your company’s outplacement programme
Depending on the type of service you provide, and the contract you had with your employer, you might be entitled to extra resources to help you into a new job. This is called outplacement.
These programmes are employer-sponsored benefits that are usually provided as part of a severance package. They offer services focused on the task of re-employment, providing guidance and help in navigating job boards, writing CVs and Cover Letters, interviewing, networking, and many other useful skills.
CV tips from a professional career coach
As an often free service, these are a must to take advantage of.
Even if on offer, through a severance package or as a company benefit, even a single session with a career coach will make a difference to how you market yourself and boost employment chances.
Try volunteering
Our financial responsibilities are a priority, however, if you find yourself with an opportunity to volunteer your services, take it!
Not only will this boost your confidence, it’ll show employees that you are committed to your work, and show a keen interest in the sector outside of employment.
Case Study: Senior Executive Redundancy
Volunteering can also open you up to a new network of people, and perhaps even paid work in the future too.
Final thoughts
So, to recap. If you are made redundant, my best tips for you are:
• Be flexible and open to different opportunities as well as looking at sectors resistant to the downturn such as healthcare will be required.
• Deconstructing what you are telling and selling is key. On your CV think of your achievements, rather than your day job, consider your transferrable skills and how they can slot into other roles.
• Don’t rely on the internet for jobs. Pick up the phone, connect via LinkedIn and let people in your network know you are available. It’s a numbers game so make numerous applications, and good quality ones too. One size does not fit all.
• Make the most of your company’s outplacement programme, they really do help and if not on offer even a single session with a career coach will make a difference to how you market yourself and boost employment chances.
• Finally, do some volunteering to keep up confidence levels and remember things will improve.
Returning to work after redundancy can seem like an insurmountable task, but hopefully with the help of these tips, you can visualise the steps you can take back to the workplace.