5 Ways To Cope With The Prospect Of Redundancy
When rumours begin flying around the office that redundancies are coming, it’s natural to panic. After all, you were hoping to stay in your job for the foreseeable future and instead you may soon be unemployed.
Instead of giving in to your anxiety, however, it’s a good idea to be proactive and do what you can to take control of the situation. This way, if you are affected by redundancy at your company, you will already have a solid plan in place for quickly securing new employment.
#1 Have a New Resume Prepared
When you’ve been in the same position for years, chances are that your resume is no longer up-to-date. It’s a smart idea to have an updated resume prepared now to have on hand in the case that you need to look for a new job.
A professionally prepared resume will incorporate your recent responsibilities and newly gained skills, emphasise transferable qualifications, and be targeted toward the jobs you’re most interested in.
A quality resume that positions you as a strong candidate for a great job is perhaps the most important tool in your job search arsenal, so it makes sense to have one prepared now, just in case.
#2 Brainstorm New Career Possibilities
Instead of focusing on the negative side of your situation, try to see the prospect of redundancy as an opportunity. Is there a different career path that you find more appealing than your current job?
Are you interested in going back to school, getting a certification, or otherwise positioning yourself to make a higher income or find more fulfilling work?
For many mid-career professionals, the initially scary change of a redundancy proves to be just the “kick in the pants” they need to explore new career possibilities and opportunities.
Start with a simple pen and paper brainstorming session, where you jot down thoughts and notes about promising jobs and careers you may wish to explore.
#3 Embrace Change
When faced with major, unwanted change, you can either fight against it or embrace it. Embracing change and seeing it as an opportunity helps keep you flexible and adaptable, and turns your life into a grand adventure.
Instead of giving into your fear of the unknown, you can let this become an exciting new chapter in your life.
#4 Practice Good Self-Care
The prospect of redundancy can easily lead to anxiety, stress, and even depression. To counteract these negative effects, it’s important to take the best possible care of yourself right now.
Get enough exercise, opt for a healthy, nutritious diet instead of seeking comfort in junk food, and safeguard your emotional health. Writing in a journal, confiding in friends about your worries, meditating, and even seeing a therapist are all great options for practising self-care.
This way, if you do face redundancy, you will feel strong and healthy enough to tackle the challenge.
#5 Work with a Career Services Company
Knowing that a redundancy may be coming and being employed without any security leaves you in a delicate position. You may want to start preparing for a job search, but feel reluctant to launch a full-scale job hunt least your current boss find out.
A career services company will listen to the details of your unique situation and provide tailored coaching services that are as thorough (or as discreet) as you wish. They will help give you rebuild your career confidence, so you can handle whatever is thrown your way.
By following these steps, you will ensure that if you lose your job due to redundancy you will quickly find a new job that is well suited to your strengths and preferences. For help with your resume, job search advice and coaching, LinkedIn updates, and more, contact me today.
