My 5 top tips when faced with redundancy
As a Career Coach, I have coached many of my clients through redundancy. I think it would be safe to say that 95% of them, their first reaction was one of shock and disbelief. Once the realisation had set in, clients either hurriedly tried to find a new job just like their previous one or some were disabled by the shock of it and just couldn’t see beyond the redundancy. Here are my 5 top tips to help you to feel more in control of being made redundant, however counter intuitive this may seem.
1. Try not to take it personally
When redundancy strikes, it is your attitude to it that can either be your friend or foe. Consider thoughts of “Oh no why me? why didn’t they choose Joe Bloggs instead of me. I knew manager X never liked me” How do you think these thoughts could make you feel? Empowered? In control? Or keeping you stuck? What thoughts could be more empowering for the future? The old adage by Aurelius maybe helpful to consider at this time “It is not the things in themselves that cause us pain but our attitude towards it”
2. Remind yourself of your skills, experiences and strengths you have developed over your career to date.
When we have been in a role for many years it can be very easy to forget all our accomplishments and in addition, the qualities we have as a person that has helped us to achieve them. For instance, when we were given that project with little resources and at times we thought it would never get off the ground, but due to our hard work, perseverance and resilience we managed to pull it off. Make a list of all of your achievements to date.
3. Before moving on to the next chapter of your working life prepare to accept and let go of the old
To acknowledge an ending more often than not requires us to let go of the old. This means to let go is to accept this job as part of our life up till now. People who accept this loss find it much easier to move into the new, those who don’t accept it are the ones who struggle psychologically and can be stuck in the past until there is some form of acceptance.
4. Be gentle with yourself and be prepared for some confusion and fear.
When the redundancy has taken place and you have not moved into your new role, this in between phase, can cause confusion, fear and some can become disheartened. You are not who you used to be and you are not yet where you want to be. Remind yourself that this is the nature of moving out of the old and into the new. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
5. Be honest with yourself and take time to reflect and take stock of what you want in your working life
Many people find it difficult and understandably so, when faced with redundancy. However, it can be a blessing in disguise as it can force you to look at yourself anew and can be a wonderful opportunity to recreate yourself and get what you want from your career moving forward.