Tips for surviving a redundancy

We are just into 2012 and there is already a lot of redundancy talk around. I’ve been made redundant and also survived a round of redundancies so I do know how it feels. It can be tough either way and the first time it happens, the natural reaction is to take it personally.

The problem with focusing on the fairness of it all is that it can stop you from moving into action mode and delay your return to work.

Those starting their careers now will be made redundant at least once if not twice during their working life.

Here are some tips to help you move through the shock and into a new job.

1. If you must take it personally, make it quick

The first time a person is made redundant is usually a shock especially if the person made redundant has an outstanding performance record going back years. In corporate speak, job roles, – not people – are made redundant so you could think of it that way.

The problem with focusing on the fairness of it all is that it can stop you from moving into action mode and delay your return to work. I’ve known people who hide out post redundancy because they are embarrassed just at a time when they need to be getting in touch with former colleagues and contacts to let them know they are available. There is no shame in being made redundant. It really is just business – a down side of business. Yes, it stinks but you are not a loser or alone.

Some people even jostle for redundancy – they want the money and a chance to work somewhere better.

2. Get support but don’t overload

Catch-ups with colleagues who were also made redundant can be a great way to vent but beware. If you want to move on and others don’t, then it is time to move away.

Tell your mad, bad, sad story to family and friends once or twice – at most – then park it. Be aware that your behavior will impact your spouse, extended family and kids. You do need support but just be aware that there will come a time when that support might need to be external.

A couple of things to read. Downsized is a children’s book told from the child’s point of view when a parent is made redundant. It is written by Mike Dumbleton and illustrated by Jeff Jellett. And I co-wrote an article with Lucy Kippist on how redundancy impacts couples.

Don’t let sleepless nights and pajama days take over. Talk to your GP if you can’t move past what has happened.

3. Move into action mode ASAP

Redundancy is a shock and there will be grieving and anger but don’t get stuck there. Draw up an action plan. What are all the job hunting methods you will use (all of them – advertised jobs, your network, social media)? What do you need to do to update your CV, profile details and also get the word out there?

Make the most of outplacement service offered by your employer. Pay attention, ask questions, get your CV done (you will still have to tailor your CV for each application but you will learn the best way to present yourself), do some interview rehearsal. Outplacement will tell you how to go about getting another job – they won’t find you another job so have realistic expectations of what you will get out of these sessions.

Some people are cynical about outplacement but it is free and so what the hell? Make it work for you.

If you don’t have outplacement then consider a session with a career coach. Go to the Career Development Association of Australia website and click on “Find a practitioner” – http://www.cdaa.org.au

Use all the advice sections on the CareerOne website. Just click on the Career Advice tab and browse through the sections on Resumes, Cover Letters, Interviews and much more.

4. Think about up skilling

You may have picked up a heap of skills in your last role but have no “paper proof”. You could use some of the redundancy money to secure certifications reflecting what you have to offer.

If you are in an industry that is dying then re-skilling could be a better option than trying to find work in a shrinking industry. Research is really important here. A dream job is great but if it is in a sector with declining demand think again.

5. Get your finances in order

Work out all debts and your living expenses so you know the minimum you need to earn each week to meet your obligations.

6. Be flexible

In a skittish job market organisations might opt to take on temps and contractors instead of permanent head count. It might make sense to look at both the permanent and contingency markets simultaneously.  You need money coming in and something for your CV. Often people “pound the pavement” looking for permanent work while burning through their redundancy pay out and other savings and only then consider contract work. I am not saying take it, just stay open to it.

Also, depending on your family circumstances, you might need to go where the work is even if that is in another city.

7.  See yourself as a skill set, not a job role

Make a list of all your skills, attributes, education and training. See yourself as a skill set rather than a particular job role. Match your skills to as many roles as you can.

8. Focus on your own race

There has already been a rush of headlines about employment projections for 2012. Official Australian Bureau of Statistics unemployment figures out peg unemployment for December at 5.2 per cent – still relatively low. Some economists are saying official unemployment could rise to 5.74 per cent or even 6 per cent. To provide some context, Australia’s unemployment reached a high of 10.90 per cent in December 1992 and a low of four per cent in February 2008.

There will be hiring but also job shedding this year. Take in all the available information but keep testing it with your own reality. What is happening in your sector and professional network? Read the business and trade media as well as the employment media. Mine information from your networks. Keep an eye on who is expanding, starting up, contracting or going belly up so you don’t join a sinking ship. Information is power.

9. Rehearse and prepare.

Work, work, work and none of it paid. That is job hunting. While you are looking for a job, that is your job. It is a pain in the butt to tailor your application to each job. It is infuriating when you put in maximum effort and a recruiter or employer doesn’t get back to you. Unfortunately, just because other people are doing a bad job doesn’t allow you to. You have to keep being the best candidate you can be. Research the market and the companies you might join. Round up referees and update their contact details. Rehearse for all job interviews, get that interview outfit together in plenty of time and tap out those follow up “thank you” emails.

Keep searching jobs on CareerOne but also let business contacts, family, former colleagues, ex bosses and key neighbourhood contacts know you are on the market. Job leads can come from anywhere including local merchants, the family doctor’s receptionist, your boss from three jobs ago.

10. Check your baggage

When the employment market slows, competition for jobs increases and the number of applications per job rises. The result is that too many employers and recruiters fail to maintain good communication. The fact you were made redundant coupled with not hearing back from an employer about a job application can make people furious and even bitter.

Be careful not to take this anger into job interviews with you. There really is nothing wrong with saying you were made redundant when you are asked at a job interview why you left your last job. Just make sure it is not said through gritted teeth.