In 2022, I was made redundant at my first full-time job thanks to COVID-19‘s impact on the industry (I was not an essential worker, apparently.). Needless to say, it was a huge bummer, and it took me a while to feel confident in my skills again.
Being made redundant from your job can feel like a bad breakup. It destroys your trust in your previous employer and leaves you wondering if you were falling short. For that reason alone, it can be tough to know where or how to start looking for a new role. Job hunting can feel humiliating, and rejections can feel like getting kicked while you’re already down.
That’s why we asked Lisa Johnson, a professional psychologist and work-life balance coach, to share a guide on everything someone can do after being made redundant.
What should I immediately do after being made redundant?
Getting made redundant is a world-shaking experience. It’s fair if you need to take a bit of time for yourself before starting anything. However, sharing your redundancy with colleagues can help rally them around you. Sharing that you’ve been made redundant also makes recruiters and managers aware that you’re looking for work, and they might reach out to you first.
Lisa shared that the most important thing to do after redundancy is to check in with your personal and professional support networks. If you haven’t already, cultivate relationships with individuals who appreciate your worth and may have connections to other places of employment.
Taking time for yourself before diving back into the hustle and grind is also a valid option. Take a holiday, binge-watch all those shows you’ve been putting off, or even catch up on sleep. Most of us often put self-care on the backburner for our jobs, so now’s the time to make up for lost time.
Finally, if you found that you were falling out of love with your job towards the end, now might be the time for something new. Upskilling, working with a career coach to reevaluate your career pathways, or scoping out and finding organisations that align with your values are also valuable ways to spend your time.
How can I explain my redundancy to future employers?
It’s rare to be asked about a redundancy by an employer, but it’s good to have an answer just in case. While it would be easy to say you signed an NDA and can’t talk about it, it’s for the best, just to be honest. It might create a better connection between you and your employer, and they might resonate with your situation.
Lisa told us the best way to tackle the question is to focus on what you learned from the role.
“Share what you learned from that workplace, what you valued from the experience, and how redundancy has improved your future employability, such as understanding the importance of positive peer relationships.”
Should I look for a similar role?
I watched Up in the Air for the first time the other week. The film follows George Clooney and Anna Kendrick as travelling corporate downsizing experts (basically, people who lay off staff and deal with the reaction). After informing a senior employee of their redundancy, Clooney’s character asks someone, “How much did they pay you to give up on your dreams?”
Many of us have probably asked ourselves a similar question. Lisa argued, however, that redundancy should be considered an opportunity to refresh and reconnect with what excites you most.
If you enjoyed your work and position, then keep pursuing jobs in that field! But if you’ve been kicking yourself for putting off that course or career pivot, now’s the time to make the leap. You have the qualifications to find employment elsewhere as a backup if you need that safety net.
Many industries are currently facing layoffs, so it’s a good idea to consider what caused the redundancy. If the industry is experiencing many changes, it might be worth considering pivoting to a new industry that matches your skills, values, and passions.
What should I do while in-between jobs?
Going from your 9-5 routine to suddenly not having one at all can be an overwhelming amount of freedom. I know personally that if I don’t have a routine in place, I’m prone to staring into space for hours, waiting for a spark of motivation to come.
Outside of the usual routine of applying to jobs and hitting every interview you can, it’s essential to keep yourself busy outside of your job hunt. Lisa suggests “staying connected with your friends, hobbies and activities you may have previously struggled to maintain due to working.” When did you last catch up with a friend on a weeknight? Now’s your chance to lock something in and maintain that relationship.
Now’s also a good time to look into upskilling to make yourself a more attractive candidate. Boot up that SkillShare and learn some new software, or find an online course to study. You can also leverage new networking opportunities that might set you up for your next gig.
Psychologists have said that redundancies can make individuals feel unsafe and unworthy of future employment. That’s why Lisa suggests engaging in activities that make you feel like you’re creating a positive contribution, whether to a hobby group or even your family, will go a long way in helping your mind not fall down that slippery slope.
How can I support someone who’s been made redundant?
Whether you’re a colleague, family member or friend, the best way to support someone is to be a listening ear and show empathy.
Supporting someone who has been made redundant means simply listening to them go through it. Show them empathy, but don’t overwhelm or patronise them. Find out their boundaries and comfort zones without making them anxious about their experience. Being the first to reach out and lock in that lunch date or inviting them out to drinks goes a long way in normalising their situation.
Best of luck to anyone reading this going through a redundancy. Hopefully, you’ll find your next gig soon. Eventually, this will be behind you, and you’ll find yourself kicking new goals at your next place.
If you’re stumped on where to look, consider searching PEDESTRIAN JOBS for the next chapter in your career.
Image credit: Severance / Apple TV
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