Redundancy isn’t personal so why does it feel that way?
Photo by Amel Majanovic on Unsplash
Redundancy isn’t personal, it’s a business decision which affects you and your career – of course, it feels personal.
Let’s look at redundancy through a personal lens, how it feels, why it’s such an obstacle, and also why it could be a blessing in disguise.
Redundancy: this will hurt
My heart sinks when I read headlines about big brands and retailers cutting their workforces. I think about the people on the receiving end and wonder how it landed at home. I even think about the messenger and how it must feel to be the bearer of bad news.
After all we’ve been through these past few years maybe it was only a matter of time but some of the stories have been unexpected and badly handled. And even if it hasn’t affected you directly we feel it as a collective.
People lose more than a job and an income, they lose a place of work, a community, and a sense of belonging. Likely, they’ll also lose confidence and possibly some self-esteem.
The impact of redundancy affects all age groups but if you’re 50-something this could feel like the end of your career and that feels very personal.
There's a lot less stigma about redundancy these days but you'd need to be thick-skinned not to be affected by it. I’m not convinced that anyone comes out of a redundancy situation unscathed.
This stuff hurts.
Redundancy: advice and tips
Perhaps you received a financial package and outplacement support from your employer. I’d love to say there was a quick and easy fix but any job search will take time.
You've updated your CV, trying to come to terms with how to use LinkedIn now you’re a job seeker. You’ve probably contacted headhunters and arranged coffee catchups with people in your network too. It’s important to be doing things towards your job search and you’ll find plenty of advice online.
Do this, don’t do that from other job seekers sharing their top tips.
Over time you may get weary of the online camaraderie and a little lost in the crowd. And you’ll probably feel sensitive if you miss out on an opportunity. Spending too much time alone isn't good for job seekers, you miss the support and banter with colleagues. This is when you’ll realise the value of your network and friends.
The very act of going to work keeps us occupied in more ways than one. Getting a job is the obvious solution but after you’ve spruced up your CV and spent too long on LinkedIn day in and day out what next?
My advice is to work out your options, set your job search strategy, make a plan and make peace with your circumstances.
The first part you can do in 60 minutes, the making peace part probably won’t happen overnight.
Redundancy: another obstacle to overcome
You’ll feel better about it once you’ve found another job but first, you’ve got to get past the recruiters and other decision-makers. Before each meeting, you put on a brave face but hate talking about it. Trying to skip over it, not give away how you really feel and it becomes the elephant in the room. Trying to make light of it doesn’t work either 'I restructured the company and did myself out of a job' – now what?
When redundancy doesn't sit well with you, it won't sit well with anyone interviewing you.
Redundancy comes with regrets. You’ll regret not following your intuition and not having another job lined up. You’ll kick yourself for not putting yourself first. You’ll feel angry, if only you’d had a warning, time to think, you would have made a plan.
But now you’re on the back foot and others are ahead.
Some people find it really hard to explain redundancy – it doesn’t sit well with them (especially when it’s not the first time).
Some people have been in continuous employment for 20+ years, they’ve never had to go out and look for a job – now they’re completely out of touch with the new world of executive job searching.
Some people take longer to process the shock. One client was so overwhelmed that he didn’t do anything towards finding a job for 6 months – reaching out to me was step one.
Redundancy may sting, it can knock your confidence and your self-belief simply because you weren't prepared for it.
Meanwhile, others appear to have it under control ‘like water off a duck’s back’. Make no assumptions – you don’t know how they feel or what’s going on behind closed doors.
Redundancy: watch outs
Watch out for echo chambers and whingefests – there are plenty of them and you don’t want to get dragged down.
Avoid the ‘we’re all in this together and there’s nothing out there’ type conversations.
Don’t be hard on yourself. Yes, you’ve been around long enough to know how to deal with difficult work situations but they were work situations, and this is personal.
Are you putting on a brave face?
Redundancy: a blessing in disguise?
It’s not all bad news.
I’ve worked with plenty of people who have used their redundancy to reset and refocus their careers. Of course, it hurts at the time, but once they’ve got over the initial shock, and dusted themselves off, they’ve made a fresh start.
Losing your job could be just what the doctor ordered, a high-pressure job can take its toll on your nervous system. People are running their lives on autopilot. In some cases, redundancy is a well-timed and much-needed career pause.
Not everyone is a ’happy clapper’ at work but sometimes it’s easier to put up with a bad situation than find a new job. If your job isn’t secure or there’s a threat of redundancy that could be the push you need to find something better. I know that sounds harsh but it’s true.
Redundancy: next steps
Give yourself a break
Take a professional pause
Face your feelings
Find the people who lift you – spend time with optimistic, ‘can-do’ type of people
Do the practical stuff download: Next Steps Checklist for Leaders on the Move!
Work with a coach who can help you (my details are below)
Make space to process your feelings, use this time as an opportunity to focus, work out your options, and embrace your next chapter.
As someone rightly pointed out on LinkedIn “It’s important to remember it’s the job that was made redundant not you!”
read more
No one ever talks about how it feels
Redundancy – behind the scenes
How to use redundancy to upgrade your career
The Career Accelerator – will it work for me?
ABOUT ME
I’m Tracy, Career Consultant, and Executive Headhunter and I help senior executives and leaders land great jobs and be successful at work through 1:1 coaching. I work with clients around the world from my London-based Zoom office. Need help? get in touch – let's start the conversation.
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