So here’s a subject that has affected me and sadly something that will affect a ton of us at some point – redundancy! (Urgh). These days it’s almost impossible to find a ‘job for life’, which means more and more of us will be faced with the dreaded ‘R’ word.
It can be an incredibly unpleasant and stressful thing to go
through and everyone will handle it differently, but there are a few things you
can do to help you to cope.
Build a support network
The first thing you’ll feel like doing is curling up in a
ball and questioning your very existence (just me?) but it’s so so important to
talk to people. Build a little network around yourself of people who you know
genuinely care and want the best for you – close friends, family, partners,
even work colleagues. Talk to them about how you’re feeling and don’t be afraid
to ask for help. Chances are at least one of them will have experienced
something similar, but if not the least they will do is help to build up your
confidence, help you to let off some steam, offer advice, and even help you to
make decisions or search for new jobs.
Re-evaluate
Maybe this is your chance to look at where your career was
heading. Maybe you weren’t happy where you were but the shock of potentially
being unemployed has hit you like a ton of bricks. Use this as an opportunity
to evaluate whether this is the career path you want to follow or if you could
do more, or something completely different.
Have a serious think and look at whether this is your chance
to change careers or move in a different direction. You may even be receiving a
pay-out from your current employer which could support you in retraining for a
brand new career.
Whatever you do though use it as an opportunity to look at
your outgoings and tidy everything up. If there’s a chance you may be out of
work for a period of time, or you’re going to take a step back, go part time or
retrain you need to look at what you are spending. Look at what you absolutely
need to spend each month to survive and cut back on things you don’t
necessarily need to buy. Even if you find a new job straight away you’ll soon
notice the savings adding up and it will help you to focus your mind on
something useful.
Put yourself out there
Whatever you decide to do you need to make your intentions
known. Speak to people you know, tell people you’re looking for a new job, ask
them to pass your details on, update your Linked In profile, sign up to
agencies, and become best friends with your computer.
If you’re looking for a particular job sign up to job alerts
from job boards but if you have an idea of where you want to work check their
current vacancies at least once a week so you’re on top of any opportunities
that come up straight away.
If you want to retrain or change career speak to people and
ask if they know anyone who can offer advice, it may even lead to an
opportunity, but you never know unless you ask.
Think positively
As tough as it may be, and as much as you may just want to
hide from the world when something like this happens, you need to remember it’s
not your fault and sometimes these things just happen. Try to see it as an
opportunity, and that bigger and better things could be just around the corner.
The more positive you are, the more chance you’ll have of finding something –
you don’t want to be applying or even interviewing for new jobs with a negative
outlook because that will come across. Keep your head held high, and think of
all the things you could do. This could be a real adventure.
With that said I started a new job in February I've gone back
to working in the city centre instead of on the outskirts – able to meet up
with friends and family more easily at lunchtimes and after work, Friday night
drinks, pay day lunches in the city and more importantly an opportunity to
spread my wings work wise and meet new people. There was a time where I was all
‘woe is me’ and felt like the world was crashing down around me (yes, I am that
dramatic). But, here I am now, excited about a new start and getting ready to
show the world what I can do!
So if you are going through this, be brave, and believe me
it will get better and you will be stronger on the other side!
If you have any other tips that have helped you through something like this, share, whatever you have could help someone else.
If you have any other tips that have helped you through something like this, share, whatever you have could help someone else.
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