Being told your job is under review and that there’s a possibility of redundancy is like a dagger to the chest. Years of loyal service, late nights and early mornings only to be told, ‘we probably won’t need you anymore’! It’s like a Shakespearian betrayal. Okay, maybe not quite a Shakespearian betrayal… at least there will be some kind of compensation package to soften the blow. However, once you’ve accepted that your job is on the line, it’s important to be proactive.
Individuals who are the least proactive and unprepared, both practically and mentally, are the ones who suffer the most. For this reason I have developed 5 smart strategies. If redundancy does take place, you’ll already be in a position to move in to a new job and importantly a job which meets your professional ambition and fulfils your financial expectations.
1. Understand your CV
Do this to see the type of response you receive. Are recruitment agencies contacting you? How many jobs are you applying for before you are invited to interview? This will give you a clearer idea of market conditions. If you find that the response isn’t reflective of your expectations, which from my experience is usually the case, you can use that period to improve your CV/Résumé ahead of time. By having a better understanding of the market and already having an effective CV/Résumé will put you one step ahead of the competition.
2. Assess your own job
Think about where you see yourself in the next 5 years, and whether realistically you will be able to achieve that target within your current organisation. This applies especially if you’ve been at the company for a short time and you know that your redundancy package is going to be an insignificant amount. Therefore if you receive a job offer, you can accept it knowing that it’s a job you want and for a company that can progress your career.
3. Set boundaries
Due to financial circumstances many people are forced in to accepting a job that they wouldn’t normally consider. Despite providing the stability needed in the short term, it can sometimes have a detrimental impact on your long term career progression. The realities of this situation only come to light once you’re in the job and the anxiety of how you’re going to pay the bills are no longer an issue. By having a clearer understanding of market conditions and the types of jobs you are willing and unwilling to do will give you greater control of the process. This will allow you to make more informed decisions. Furthermore, make it clear to recruitment agencies the type of positions you are looking for.
4. Focus on your network
If you’re not on LinkedIn; sign up and start increasing your network. Focus on connecting with people that could potentially be valuable when it comes to hitting the job market, such as HR Managers & other advisors, and potential line managers. So if you are told that you’re going to be made redundant, you already have a wide network of people that you can contact instantly about possible opportunities.
5. Attend interviews
Whether you want the job or not, you have to remember that interviews are a two way process and there is no compulsion for you to take the job (just like there is no compulsion them to offer you the job). This is a great way to familiarise yourself with the interviews process, as well as polishing your interview skills. If you find that your interview performances are not reflective of your true ability, than I would recommend getting some professional help.
Being proactive is the key and by following these 5 simple strategies, you can confront the possibility of redundancy head on and most importantly come out of the other side stronger and better!
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty”- Winston Churchill
