People react in different ways to redundancy. But there’s no getting away from the fact that losing your job is one of the most stressful periods in anyone’s life. UK jobless figures might be inexplicably falling, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t losing their jobs in large numbers. At the current time swathes of the public sector are being cut and the city is making large scale redundancies. Add to that small firms are closing up and down the country.
If you’ve lost your job recently or are about to the feeling is hard to explain to others who have not been in the same situation. It’s understandable your sense of self-worth can take a knock, but relying on the support of friends and family is an important factor in keeping positive.
It’s true in life that as one door closes another opens. It’s likely that budgeting will be one of the factors you’ll have to get to grips with particularly if you don’t have a financial backup plan. Some families rely on savings. At least while they can. Others can claim on redundancy insurance or possibly income protection cover if they have a policy with an add-on.
Nearly everyone we have spoken to who has lost their job recommends spending a week or two away from job hunting. It’s good to distance yourself for a time because it helps bring some perspective to your situation. It’s also possible it not be immediately obvious what your next steps are.
At some point during the first month it’s good to start focusing on your CV. Not everyone wants to step in to the same job they had before.
As weeks turn to months it’s important to keep your days as structured as possible. If possible get some feedback on your CV and the direction you’re heading. Recruitment agencies can be a source of useful advice. Or possibly a private career advisor, if you can afford one or if an advisor was made available as part of your redundancy terms.
Getting a job from your first interview is like winning the lottery. It doesn’t happen very often. This is where persistence and determination pay dividends. You have to keep going until you find the right job. It’s easy to feel pressurised into taking the first job you are offered. If you’re only going for jobs you really want – which should be your strategy – take it. But if you’ve panicked yourself into applying for anything and everything, reflect on whether ‘just any job’ is really in your long term best interest.
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