Lucy Walker Recruitment

Life after Redundancy... Your 4 Step Plan

Written by Mark Woffenden | Sep 7, 2017 8:09:14 AM

Facing redundancy is a significant moment in any career. It brings up feelings of uncertainty and can make us question our professional future. However, a well-planned approach can turn redundancy into an opportunity for growth and transformation. Here’s a four-step plan to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Step 1: Reflect and Regroup

The initial reaction to redundancy often involves a mix of emotions—shock, frustration, or even relief. Take some time to acknowledge these feelings, but avoid making quick decisions. This first step focuses on understanding your situation fully and assessing where you stand.

  • Assess Your Finances: Before anything else, get a clear understanding of your financial situation. Calculate how long your redundancy package, savings, or other income sources will last, and make adjustments to reduce non-essential spending if needed.
  • Identify Career Goals and Aspirations: Use this period to reassess what you want from your career. Were you feeling satisfied in your previous role? Are there areas or industries you’ve wanted to explore? Reflecting on these questions will help you chart a new direction, making the next steps clearer and more meaningful. You may find our Career Planning Guide useful.
  • Set Up a Routine: Structure your days to give yourself a sense of normality. Simple routines—like setting a specific time for job searches, learning new skills, or networking—can make the process feel less overwhelming.

 

Step 2: Revamp Your Professional Brand

With a clear understanding of your goals, it's time to redefine your professional brand. This is the perfect opportunity to bring your skills, experiences, and values into sharper focus, which will set you apart in the job market.

  • Update Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile: Ensure your CV is updated with the latest achievements, responsibilities, and metrics. Highlight skills that are relevant to the types of roles you’re targeting. On LinkedIn, add a headline and summary that reflect your current goals and aspirations, and don’t forget to add keywords relevant to your target industry to improve searchability. Check out this article too
  • Leverage Testimonials and Recommendations: Reach out to former colleagues, managers, or clients for testimonials. Positive recommendations enhance your credibility, especially if they highlight your contributions and impact. Post these on LinkedIn or include snippets in your resume.
  • Build a Portfolio (if applicable): If you work in a field that values portfolios—such as design, writing, or marketing—consider updating or creating one. This can include case studies, personal projects, or any relevant work that showcases your expertise.

 

Step 3: Upskill and Reskill

The job market is competitive, and adding new skills to your profile can increase your appeal to prospective employers. In some cases, redundancy might even be the push needed to explore an entirely new field or acquire skills that lead to better opportunities.

  • Identify In-Demand Skills: Research industry trends and identify in-demand skills in your field. You can find this information on job boards, industry publications, or by analyzing job descriptions for roles you’re interested in. Popular online platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or Udemy offer courses in many of these areas.
  • Consider Certifications: Formal certifications in areas like project management, data analysis, digital marketing, or specific software platforms can make a difference. Certifications validate your skills and demonstrate commitment to professional growth.
  • Engage in Practical Learning: Real-world experience, like freelancing or consulting, offers valuable hands-on experience, especially if you’re branching into a new field. If you’re pivoting careers, consider joining internships, volunteering, or offering project-based work to build credibility.

 

Step 4: Reconnect and Network

The job market often relies on connections and networking, and your contacts may play a significant role in opening up new opportunities. Networking, done strategically, can accelerate your return to work or help you explore new career paths.

  • Reconnect with Past Colleagues and Managers: Reach out to people in your network, letting them know you’re looking for new opportunities. This could be a simple message on LinkedIn, an email, or a coffee chat. People are often willing to help, especially if you’re clear about the roles or industries you’re interested in.
  • Join Professional Groups and Associations: Many industries have professional associations that host networking events, workshops, or seminars. Attend these to meet new people, learn about industry trends, and potentially meet hiring managers.
  • Leverage Social Media: Build a presence on LinkedIn by sharing industry insights, commenting on relevant posts, or even writing articles. This will keep you on the radar of potential employers and demonstrate your expertise to a broader audience.

 

Moving Forward

The process of rebuilding your career post-redundancy is undoubtedly challenging but incredibly rewarding. Reflecting on your goals, building your personal brand, upskilling, and engaging with your network will help you transform this experience into a launchpad for a brighter future. Keep pushing forward—this could be the beginning of an exciting new chapter!

Good Luck!

Can we Help ?

Can we help? We have placed and filled over 100,000 temp and permanent assignments over the last 30 years so have a range of techniques, ideas and platforms which could help you. Why not call us on 0113 367 2880 to have a conversation with one of our team. Alternatively drop us an email here or check out our Testimonials and Case Studies.

PS: You can also check out are Candidate Showcase Video here.