Finding yourself out of work is rarely an easy experience, but in this post I hope to help make navigating redundancy that little bit easier. There are steps you can take to put yourself in a better position to secure your next role and get your career back on track. From preparing for job seeking to staying connected, here are five things you can do to help yourself bounce back after redundancy.
Prepare for your job search
There are several ways you can prepare for job seeking and what’s right for you will depend on your circumstances. Assessing your situation is one place to start. What role are you looking for? What skills and experience do you have already? What’s the job market like in your industry? Doing some research on opportunities, employers and what skills and experience are in demand can be helpful too. Speaking to a recruiter can help with this and point you in the right direction.
Once you’re clear on the roles you’re looking for, be methodical in your search. Setting up job alerts can help to ensure you don’t miss advertised opportunities. If you have a work-related profile on social media or a job platform, make sure your information is up-to-date and consider allowing employers and recruiters to contact you with opportunities.
Polish your resume
When you find a suitable opportunity, you want to be able to apply quickly. This is where it’s helpful to have a polished resume ready to go. Update anything that’s changed since you last looked at your resume. Usually this means adding your most recent position, but if you’ve been with the same organisation for a while you might have multiple roles to add. Also include volunteer roles where they are relevant. Check all other information remains current and update as required.
If you find it’s been a while since your last role, it might be helpful to account for the time. Gaps on resumes can be seen as a red flag, so being proactive can help address this. Simply state what you have been doing in the time and highlight job-relevant experience and activities where you can. It might be undertaking further study, expanding your skill set through online training or making a difference through skilled volunteering.
Leverage your network
Speaking with people in your network can be invaluable in your job search. First, you may find opportunities that you perhaps wouldn’t have found elsewhere. In addition, you can seek recommendations and introductions from people you know and trust.
Being visible in your network can also help people to remember you when they have an opportunity to offer. Look for ways to add value for others by sharing your skills, expertise or insights. Try to stay active in your professional circles or, if you find your network needs some development, now might be a good time to start building your connections.
Refresh your skills
Maintaining and developing your skills during a period of unemployment can reflect well on you as a candidate. Take a look at what skills are in demand for the roles you are seeking. Consider what will be most valuable to you in your job search and find development opportunities to match.
Refreshing your skills doesn’t have to be costly or time-consuming. There is a huge variety of training available online. You might find workshops or seminars that can advance your employability. Or perhaps you already have the skills you need, but could boost their recognition and value through accreditation or professional membership. If you do refresh your skills in some way, make sure you add that achievement to your resume and draw on it during interviews to highlight your initiative and current skills to prospective employers.
Stay connected and supported
A sense of connection and support can help you to navigate the challenges of job seeking after redundancy. Try to have at least a few close family members or friends who you can rely on for support and encouragement during your job search. Connect with recruiters. Maybe reconnect with past colleagues. If you need practical support, like help developing your resume or writing a cover letter, we have a range of resources available and our blog is a good place to start.
Keeping a positive mindset and looking after your mental health is also important during the ups and downs of job seeking. You can get help and support through organisations like Beyond Blue. If you are a member of an industry or professional organisation, it might also be worth checking whether your membership includes access to professional support services, should you need them.
Getting your career back on track after redundancy is possible. Sometimes it may take longer than expected, but I hope that these insights will help you put yourself in the best possible position to secure your next role. If you’d like to receive further insights to help you build your career, you can subscribe to our monthly newsletter. You can also visit our current positions page to see what roles we’re recruiting now and set up a tailored job alert to hear about new opportunities.
