Moving on after a redundancy

Being made redundant can be a daunting place to find yourself and its something a lot of people are dealing with right now.  However, it is not the end of the world.  Someone once told me the easiest way to get rich is to be made redundant once or twice and never divorced!  I don’t know how true that is but a redundancy package can be very useful.

In the ‘old days’ being made redundant had a stigma about it but over the last 15 years it has become much more common.  With all the economic challenges businesses have faced being made redundant is a real possibility and it doesn’t necessarily reflect on your ability or performance.

The real challenge is seeing it as an opportunity.  Firstly, there is no need to advertise it.  Your CV should include all your roles and the month and year you started and finished them.  I don’t recommend adding a reason for leaving every role, its unnecessary.  Unless there is a gap, it is assumed you left a role to start the next one.  The only exception is if the move appears to be a big change of direction, in which case mentioning your reasoning in your cover letter is a good idea.

If you have been made redundant in this current crisis and are attempting to secure a new role, then again you don’t need to expressly state it.  Employers assumptions have changed, they understand that there are large numbers of people being let go because of the economic downturn not because of performance. If you are asked about your reason for leaving, be honest.  You can add context, for example letting them know the rationale behind the decision or how many others were made redundant at the same time.  Ideally it is not down to your performance but if by chance that was the case then acknowledging it and reflecting on what you could have done differently will alleviate some of the interviewer’s concerns.

Redundancies can come as a major shock.  You might know they are on the cards or even be given the opportunity to take a voluntary package but for most, it’s a tough time.  If your hand is forced and you are made redundant, take the opportunity, one you don’t get often, to take a breath and assess where you are in your career and where you want to head.  Most of us prefer not to have periods out of work but they do allow for clearer headspace and subsequent reflection.

An advantage you enjoy is availability that also benefits employers.  You don’t need to give notice, so can often start straight away.  If you have had a little time off you are also refreshed and can come into the new role full of energy and enthusiasm.

If you have been out of work for a while, think about what else you can do with you time.  I am well aware there is plenty of stuff to fill your time at home and most are not spending all day sitting on the couch watching TV.  Having said that, if you can have something to put on your CV to fill the gaps out of full-time work is a positive thing.  Project or consulting work is also a totally acceptable bridge between permanent roles and can turn into a career in itself.  It doesn’t have to be paid work, volunteering in your community is not only personally rewarding but also viewed positively by prospective employers.

The current job market is competitive.  There are roles out there but numbers are tight.  Putting your best self forward is imperative in a tight market.  Taking the time to put together a good CV and cover letter is essential to success and at Recruitment Ready we are here to help you do just that.