5 Tips to Recovering from a Redundancy

Being made redundant – It’s something that you hear of too frequently these days but if you were anything like me, I never thought it would happen to me – until it did. Enough time has now passed that I feel comfortable enough to share my story but at the time it was certainly a bitter pill to swallow.
So there I was, about to go on a well overdue holiday when I was told that I might not have a job to come back to. I felt totally blindsided and left wondering where it all went wrong. Surely enough I received confirmation on my first day back at work that I was “no longer required”. That day was a bit of a blur and I all I really remember was feeling hollow.
I went through a range of emotions – shame, fear, despair, anger, relief. But I kept reminding myself that as much as I wish I could, I had no control of the situation or its inevitable outcome. We can easily dwell on the past but it is what we do next that matters.
[bctt tweet=”5 tips to recovering from a redundancy from a recruiter who went through it all” username=”ATCevent”]
So if you ever find yourself needing some guidance as you turn to the next chapter in your career, here are five tips to help you get started:

Harness your emotions

Rejection hurts. But instead of being bitter, harness your emotions positively to motivate and drive you to become better. There will be tough days but you need to stay focused and take the wins along with the setbacks.
Do activities that allow you to improve your state of mind. For example, exercise can do wonders on your mental, physical and emotional health. Let others know you are going through a challenging time so that you can rely on friends and family for support or seek professional counsel if required. Volunteering can be very therapeutic too, it is a great opportunity to give back and can often help put things into perspective.

 Do at least one thing a day

It’s important to try to achieve something every day, no matter how trivial it may be. Begin with the end in mind. Set a goal and mark key milestones you want to reach along the way. It could be making that first phone call or submitting a job application, following up a lead or meeting up with people in your network.
There will be times when you feel you have exhausted all avenues. Keep pushing, be innovative, or do something that is out of your comfort zone. As long as you keep chipping away, it will eventually lead you to success.
If you feel like you are burning out, take a break, try a different activity, but always remember to get back on the horse tomorrow, maintain your momentum and don’t stop.

 Network, network, network, ask for help and be authentic

During job searches, merit can get you a long way but often it is who you know that will help you get a leg up on the competition.
LinkedIn is one of the most useful networking tools available. Connect with influential people in your industry and start a dialog with them. Be authentic and ask for help. Don’t be afraid to request a meeting to show them how committed you are and how much you have to offer.
Attend relevant industry events, conferences and seminars. These avenues offer the perfect opportunities to network with the people you need to know. I attended an interstate networking event that allowed me to grow my network and lead to potential leads.

 Consider your options

Be flexible – you never know what and where opportunities may lead you when you keep an open mind. I considered moving interstate, or even overseas, as a potential option. Consider contingent work, there are many sites like Freelancer, Upwork and Fivver that offer opportunities for you to pick up contract or casual work. Often it’s about getting through that first door and letting it lead to the next thing.
Share your knowledge as a subject matter expert. Write articles based on your area of expertise and share your experience and knowledge with your growing network. Once you start to build a reputation in the industry, you might find people approaching you for consulting work.

 Giving back and paying it forward

I am a big believer in giving back and helping others. So if anyone ever reaches out to you, do try to help them out to the best of your abilities – it often doesn’t cost a thing. And if you received help from someone, remember to acknowledge them for their kindness and generosity. The world is already a small place so never burn any bridges.
[bctt tweet=”It’s seldom one’s career is all smooth sailing. Nathan Anderson offers some perspective.” username=”ATCevent”]
I believe good things come to those who persist. Be true to yourself and do not be discouraged if you find yourself in such a situation.  As the saying goes – when one door closes, another opens.
Stay positive everyone.
Images: Shutterstock

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