Redundancy is a challenging experience
Redundancy is a challenging experience that needs to be professionally managed to get good results.
The first 24 to 48 hours are critical for retrenched workers as they come to terms with their new situation. Enforced workplace change is confronting and unpleasant.
These emotions are perfectly normal and will diminish in time, so redundant people should understand that it is a passing phase only and there is life after redundancy.
People sometimes feel ashamed because they have been made redundant and even try to hide it on their resume or not tell friends and associates about what has happened. Being overwhelmed by these events will not get you into another job; only a planned and strategically executed job search will get you back into the workforce.
Remember that the job is redundant, NOT YOU!
Be kind to yourself and your family. Take a break and refocus, as this is an opportunity to reevaluate many aspects of your life and work.
Use it as a favourable time to reflect, review and go on to better and greater times...this does happen!
While a period of healing is involved, it cannot continue forever. Allow yourself 14 days to recover, then get on with your job search, engage a career advisor to assist and start being proactive.
Recruiters and employers deal with people moving through the redundancy cycle every day, so this fact will be neither new to them nor a barrier for you. So, "throw out" your negative thoughts, concentrate on your skillset, work, and personal achievements, and document how you can add value to your next employer.
In the modern workforce, it is common for people to have at least six career changes in their lifetime. Particularly if you have been with one employer for many years, it is probably time that you moved on anyway, so perhaps your former employer has done you a favour.
Approach your redundancy as a chance to explore new employers and industry sectors and to broaden your career horizons. It is a big world out there, abounding with opportunities and possibilities. Being with one employer over a period can lead to tunnel vision and becoming limited/trapped by your comfort zone.
This is a time to learn new skills, gain additional qualifications, meet new people and embrace change.
Job search is arduous without professional assistance, so ensure that your redundancy package includes outplacement support paid for by your employer. If it is not automatically included, then it is time to become assertive and demand this industry-standard benefit. Employers will be wary of any brand damage and possible internal staff functions if you are not treated fairly, so you probably have more leverage than you realise at this point.
In general, the wider you set your career options for job title, industry sector, and location, the easier it will be for you to transition into your next position. Some people can be flexible, and others cannot due to family commitments, etc.; however, these are critical factors to be considered.
ACMA creates successful career paths through detailed individual assessment, research, job market analysis, and expert personalised coaching.
Note: A Career Development Association of Australia research paper found that when professional career guidance occurred, the participant was 2.67 times more likely to secure a job.
All program services can be delivered via our interactive online cloud-based career management "Career Talk" system and "one-on-one" in our Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne, Cairns or Auckland offices.
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