Redundancy can be a real challenge for many people. It is an unfortunate part of the world of work. Knowing what to do after being made redundant can alleviate some of the anxiety of finding yourself unexpectedly unemployed. If you have recently become redundant, the following article will guide you on avenues of support.
Focus on what you can do
You might experience emotional distress when being out of work. If you worked for many years in your organisation, you might feel lost and confused when facing redundancy. It might be a challenge to see what other organisations you could work for. Financial burdens could crop up. Your confidence can be negatively impacted. You could feel isolated when you are between jobs.
You may not realise at first that redundancy could bring you great opportunities. You could take some time to re-evaluate your career and find work which you always wanted to do. You could explore different career paths or volunteer for a cause. You could upskill and take new courses, return to university, or start an enterprise. If you feel emotionally exhausted after the redundancy process, you could plan an exciting overseas vacation and recharge the batteries.
Take a good look at your finances
Many people do not realise how important it is to take stock of their finances. It is a good idea to review your monthly outgoings in the last 12 months. Look at all your utility bills and record your average outgoings. You could calculate how much you would need at a minimum to cope in the following months. Do not forget to estimate your food expenses as well as any other outgoings you anticipate. Once you are clear about the outgoings, look at what you have in your accounts or savings.
If you need any further support, you could contact the organisation called Money Helper. Tey offer free and unbiased support to help in times of money troubles and debt. If you are struggling to afford the essentials, you might find it helpful to get in touch with the Trussel Trust. Through their website, you can access free support to help you through financially challenging times.
Look after your mental health
Make sure that you maintain your physical and emotional well-being. You could take a brisk walk to break up your day or go for a jog in the park. You could reconnect with old friends who you have not seen for a while. You could join a community group or take up a new hobby.
Most universities offer Employee Assistance Programmes and provide free, independent and confidential support including counselling. Education Support, which is a UK charity supporting the mental well-being of education staff in universities, could be helpful for those going through challenging times. The Charity called Mind offers advice to people with mental health problems as well as a range of initiatives. Samaritans aim to provide emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, and they can be accessed any time of the day.
If you need clarification in terms of your employment rights, the UK Government’s website provides an overview of what you could be eligible for. For further advice, you could contact the ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) or Citizens Advice.
Develop your skills
Once you are clear on the type of job you would like, you need to look at what could hold you back from getting it. Ask yourself the below question:
What are some of the skills and experiences which could be helpful for my job applications?
You might need more technical skills such as IT, project management or data analysis skills. Once you have identified what skills you would like to develop, you will need to make a plan to fill that gap. You could look at completing some courses and could explore some of the free online courses universities offer. As an example, The Open University runs a range of OpenLearn courses covering topics from languages, digital skills, and business. Taking part in a course could help you expand your knowledge, gain valuable skills, and reignite your passion for learning.
Revisit your LinkedIn profile
LinkedIn, one of the largest social networking sites, is designed for individuals to make meaningful connections. If you have a LinkedIn profile that you have not used for a while, it might be wise to spend time updating it. Make sure you have an up-to-date photo in your profile, and that all the sections (including the about, experience and education sections) are carefully filled out. Those with a high-quality profile tend to develop their social media presence and engage with others regularly. You might find it useful to schedule social media time on a weekly basis. You could start with only 10-15 minutes once a week and gradually increase it to twice a week.
Update your CV and cover letter
Many job applicants think that they are not supposed to express interest in several jobs. It is wise not to put all your eggs in one basket. If you concentrate all your efforts in one specific area (one job only), you may easily end up disappointed.
When you have found a vacancy, you are interested in, dig out your CV and a cover letter. If you have not applied for a job for several years, it is likely that you would need to spend a few hours getting your application materials up to date. Do not forget that recruiters can easily notice if you have submitted generalised applications. Make sure you carefully look at the job description and the application criteria and submit tailor-made materials for each job you are applying for. You could ask friends, family or professional contacts to proofread your documents and give you some feedback on improvement points. Alternatively, you could work with a career coach who could help you update your CV and cover letter, and practice mock interviews with you.
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