Your job has been made redundant. Now what?

Unexpected redundancy can be a confusing time – your sense of purpose and identity, daily routine, and financial stability can all be shaken. Knowing what to do next can help minimise any feelings of overwhelm, maximise your opportunities and set you up to transition smoothly into your new role.

We’re going to step out what to do after a redundancy.

Leaving the company on good terms

Redundancy isn’t easy. You’ll no doubt be experiencing a range of emotions, such as frustration, potentially with a splash of resentment for your employer. Accepting that these feelings are a normal response can help to keep them under control.

Because as much as it sucks? You still want to maintain a positive relationship with that employer. For one thing, you may need a glowing reference from your manager/s to help you secure your next role. But you’ve no doubt also forged some strong friendships with the colleagues ‘staying behind’. Maintaining these relationships can help expand your network and support your transition, as word of mouth referrals are priceless.

Managing your finances

Losing an income is a major hit to household finances, so you’ll need to take stock of your position and ability to meet short-term (and long-term) commitments. The good news is, you’re likely to get some sort of payout during a redundancy, but you’ll want to confirm upfront what date you can expect to receive it so you can budget accordingly.

Even if you’re not the best finance manager in your household, now more than ever with the rising cost of living, you need to know your numbers so you can assess your financial position. The more confident you feel about your budget, the more confident you’ll feel planning your next career move.

Australia’s moneysmart.gov.au is a valuable resource for all things budgeting and finances. You’ll also find credible resources and information for personalised financial support.

Maintaining a positive mindset

A range of emotions can arise with redundancy, so maintaining a positive mindset and physical wellbeing is vital. Make sure that you’re getting good sleep, eating a balanced diet, and exercising to maintain your wellbeing and boost your resilience for a strong bounce back.

Make time to check in with yourself and care for your mind and needs in the way that works best for you. That might be with meditation, journaling, long walks in the sunshine, self-compassion and kindness, gratitude, or dancing to your favourite tunes blasting so loud, your neighbours three streets away hear.

Talking about your redundancy

If there’s one silver lining to the mass redundancies experienced in the early days of covid, it’s probably that it was such a widely shared experience that it reinforced that redundancy is not personal. More people now feel empowered to speak up about their experience, that it’s become part of their call out for the next opportunity.

When it comes to interviews? Be aware of your language when you talk about your experience. Instead of saying, “I was made redundant,” reframe it for what it is – “My position was made redundant.” This makes it about the organisation’s structure and performance, not your personal performance. This simple language tweak will help with your mindset and how you present yourself when discussing the experience with recruiters in future.

Updating your resume and LinkedIn profile

You’ll want to update your resume and LinkedIn profile to ensure all your key skills, experiences, and achievements are on display. There are plenty of opportunities in high demand industries and roles embracing career transitioners with desirable transferrable skills.

Consider where you’d like your career to go next, and research what skills those roles require. Enrol in online courses to boost your knowledge and make sure relevant transferrable skills are listed on your profiles to help you stand out.