Tips & Advice on Coping with Redundancy

Being made redundant can come as a shock, even if you knew that your company was going to let people go. Suddenly being without a job can make you feel a bit lost but try and look at it as a new opportunity. You have been set free with a nice bit of money and can now think about where you would like your life to go. Being made redundant is not your fault and as unwanted as it may be, you should try and focus on the positive changes it may bring.

Don’t Take it Personally

It is easy to blame yourself and wonder what you did wrong to be made redundant. However, it has no bearing on your ability or personality but with the financial situation of the company and factors beyond your control. Try and let go of any guilt or anger that you are feeling and move to a place of acceptance. Unfortunately life doesn’t always go the way that we want it to but these surprises can lead to new and exciting times.

The Payoff

When you are made redundant there will some kind of payment given to you. Some companies will pay a minimum amount while others will be a lot more generous. Wait and see what they try and offer you and be prepared to negotiate. Once you have settled in a figure, you can decide what to do with it. Perhaps it could help you pay off some debts or be more financially secure. Alternatively, could you use the money to do something you’ve always dreamed of?

New Opportunities

It’s not very often that you are without a job but with a lump sum of money. Consider all the new opportunities that your situation presents and what you really want to do with your life. Do you want to take time off to go travelling? Would you like to use the money to start your own business? Do you want to go back and re-train for a new career? Rather than looking at redundancy as the end, try and view it as the beginning of a whole new path.

Redundancy & Your CV

Often people are worried about putting redundancy in their CV as they are scared it will put new employers off. Remember, again, that it is not your fault. Redundancy is common and future employers will know that it was beyond your control. Instead, focus on what you achieved in the job and what transferable skills you gained that would be an asset to future employers. Never lie about the situation though as this will always come back to haunt you and is simply unnecessary.

Being made redundant is not a nice a feeling and can be an unsettling time. The situation is beyond your control and is not your fault. Try and focus on the positive outcomes rather than the fact that you are losing your job. Think about what you could do with your payoff and whether now is the time that you could do something that you have been dreaming of. Start a new business, go travelling, get a great new job or re-train – the world is full of opportunities.