Shortlist: 6 tips for surviving redundancy

Redundancy happens to most people at some or another and it needn’t be a disaster, writes Carol Stewart, Founder of Abounding Solutions.

When we are threatened with the loss of our job (and our regular income), it can swiftly undermine our sense of security – and even our sense of identity. The fear of the unknown leaves us floundering and wondering how on earth we will manage.

Here are six tips for surviving and thriving in such a situation.

1. Keep faith – and allow yourself to grieve 

With mortgages, rent and other bills to pay, and families to support, the prospect of losing our job can be very worrying. In fact, job loss has been likened to the grief process, with the person experiencing it going through similar stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

In some ways it is easy to see how this compares, particularly if we've worked in an organisation for a lengthy period of time. We become known by our organisations and our roles and may allow them to define who we are.

To lose this – often very suddenly – can feel as we are losing part of ourselves. We may also feel the loss of ‘being part of something’ and may miss the colleagues with whom we have built strong relationships.

As with any loss, it is important to let ourselves grieve and come to terms with this significant change in our circumstances. However, the important thing is to adapt to the situation and accept it, rather than resisting the change and wallowing in negative thoughts and self-pity.

Worrying uses up a lot of our time and energy in a negative way and can be emotionally draining. We are unable to change the inevitable happening, so whether we worry or not, it is going to happen. However, the extent to which we give in to our anxiety may determine how we are able to respond and cope with this potentially life-changing situation.

2. Accept the situation (and try not to take it personally)

By accepting that we are being made redundant, we are able to start thinking about moving on and mulling over what we can do next.  

When we are faced with redundancy, it's easy to lose perspective and see it only from our own point of view as the affected party. An understanding of why the organisation has made this decision may make it easier to accept (and less damaging to our self-worth).

Whether or not we agree with what is happening – or think that things could have been managed differently – we should try to look at the situation more objectively. While this may not lessen the blow, with perspective comes understanding – and with understanding, we can find acceptance and peace.

3. Choose to adopt an optimistic outlook

Stubbornly maintaining a pessimistic attitude will close our minds to seeing – and seeking – potential opportunities. With every change there comes opportunity but we have to be open to spotting or creating them. This is where the crucial modern skill of adaptability comes into its own.

Rather than taking the view that a door has closed, make yourself look at the situation as a door opening. Jot down a list of all the positive outcomes that could come about as a result of you losing your job.

For example, this could be an opportunity to invest in self-development, retraining or even reinventing your career. It could a moment to spend more time with family, retire early, do some travelling, go freelance or start the business that you have secretly dreamed of running.

If you are worried about how you will cope financially, think about the measures you could you put in place to minimise those concerns. Is it worth talking to your bank or mortgage provider, pausing your gym membership or reducing your immediate outgoings?

Taking a practical and optimistic approach to redundancy will make it easier for you to think creatively and identify possibilities and solutions.

4. Make a plan – and accept offers of support

Preparing for your change of circumstances (for example, when working notice or living off a redundancy payment) will make it easier for you to adapt when it happens. What help do you need to get you through this? Is your organisation offering outplacement support? If so, take advantage of this; doing so isn’t a sign of weakness.

If your employer is not offering help, look at what else you can do to gain the support that you need.

For instance, do you need help updating your CV? Would it be beneficial to brush up on your interviewing skills? Could you do with advice on how to start a business? Or would coaching help you work through your thoughts and feelings about this change and bring some clarity around what it is that you really want to do next?

Lots of free advice and development courses can be accessed online and your friends and contacts could also offer insights and advice.

5. Build and tap into your network – and keep learning

There is a lot of power in your network, so start building and tapping into it. Reach out to the people you know and attend networking events that will expose you to individuals and organisations that you are interested in. It is often through network connections that you can become aware of upcoming opportunities.

Make good use of professional social networking sites such as LinkedIn. Join in discussions with your connections and those who you want to get to know. Seize the opportunity to showcase your experience, skills, strengths and expertise on these platforms. Make the most of any relevant learning opportunities you come across.

6. Draw on your resilience and previous experiences

When we are faced with redundancy we sometimes imagine the worst possible scenarios, such as ending up without an income or not being able to find another job. In reality, people are actually incredibly resourceful and can find a way to navigate through the most challenging of circumstances.

Think back over your career and your life, and try to recall situations you’ve previously been through where you initially dreaded the outcome and felt ill-equipped to cope. You got through those and you can get through this. What was it that helped you through previous situations? What support did you have or call upon? What skills and strengths did you draw on back then?

What can you learn from any of the challenging situations you have already been through that you can apply to your current situation to help you get through it?

An opportunity for reinvention

Redundancy can be a very difficult time, full of fear and apprehension about what will happen in the future. It is this uncertainty that is frightening and may lead to anxiety, stress and concerns that we will not survive.

However, an enforced change can also be an exciting time, full of new opportunities and possibilities. To a great extent, our outcomes will depend on the mindset we adopt.