So, you’re facing redundancy or have already been made redundant. I expect you are feeling worried, despondent and depressed, but that’s only natural. However, turn it into a positive and you can use this golden opportunity to take the time to really think about what direction you want your career to go.
What do you do next?
Be prepared and you can’t go wrong! Here are some tips:
Don’t:
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Immediately start job hunting, before you get your CV sorted. It’s very tempting to open up the local paper or start searching on the internet.
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Use an old CV, because it’s ‘the only one you’ve got’.
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Sign on at your local recruitment or online agencies ….yet!
Do:
- Take time to think about what direction you’d like your career to go. Do you want something similar or a change of direction?
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Consider doing an online psychometric test to establish what sort of career you are suited to most.
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Ask for professional CV advice and ask a professional CV writer to update or write one for you. Many CV Writers offer a free review of your old CV to estimate how much work needs to be done.
Make sure your CV really sells you
I’m sure you’ve already seen the multitude of free advice and information on how to write a CV, as well as templates to choose from on jobs and careers websites. This is fine if you know what to do with it. It’s not as easy as some might think – some candidates try for days or even weeks to get their CV right, without success.
Don’t keep your job search a secret.
Tell your friends, family, everyone that you’re looking for work. The more people you mention it to the better. Referrals are THE best way of finding work of course and you’ll be amazed who knows who amongst your circle of contacts, it’s a small world!
Take your time job hunting
Job hunting will not be a quick fix and you will need to do it daily, possibly several times a day. You can send out mass emails to companies that appeal, but this probably won’t lead to success and you may not even receive a ‘thanks but no thanks’ reply. Be selective about which recruitment companies to register with. It’s better to use those that specialise in your industry. Make sure you have a Linkedin account optimised for the right keywords, and ensure that it’s up-to-date. This is a headhunter’s favourite tool so with a bit of luck they might come to you!
Find another job or start your own business?
This is a perfect opportunity to focus on decisions you may have put off in the past. These could be about further training, or even starting up your own business. These are common conversations I have with CV clients and they usually re-ignite a long-standing idea or goal that had been put on hold for the right time. Well how about now?
Keep on learning
You might think that being made redundant would hinder your job search by itself, but in reality that’s not always the case. Interviewers know all too well how hard it is to find, and indeed keep, a job in the current climate. Gaps in employment history are common in today’s business world, what’s important is what you’ve done between those gaps.
Be prepared for interviews
Many people haven’t attended an interview in years so its natural to be worried about how to prepare. Some professionals offer interview coaching, which will give you the opportunity to have a ‘mock’ interview, together with feedback on how well you performed.
Learn outside of training
Practising and refining your skills will certainly help you become more appealing to potential employers. Also make sure that you continue to network and research with people in your industry. Keep in touch with old colleagues and keep on top of social media and Linkedin. These are places where jobs can often be found before they are formally advertised.
In Conclusion
The most important thing to remember is to not sit still! Keep yourself constantly updated and refreshed with the skills you require and employers will notice you. Employers are looking for people who are always improving themselves. Whether it’s through volunteer work, freelancing or personal development, maintaining momentum is essential.
If you need help with writing a new CV, editing an old CV or with interview coaching, contact Sue at Premium CVs or email sue@premiumcvs.co.uk
