Beata Staszkow — August 1, 2018 — August 1, 2018
Being made redundant is not the end of the world. It happens frequently as companies merge, get taken over, and indeed go to the wall. If you have recently been made redundant, here’s what to do next.
Check that your Redundancy was fair
People aren’t actually made redundant but their positions are. If you feel your position is still important to the business, then you may have a case to bring against your former employer.
In UK law, your employer must try and find you alternative employment, provide you with at least a week’s notice if you have been working there for over a month, and provide you with a written explanation as to why you were made redundant.
It is worth checking your contract to ensure that your employer has fulfilled their obligations to you in respect of the redundancy as well.
If you feel that your employer has failed or is at fault for any of the above then you could pursue an unfair dismissal claim.
Upgrade your Skills
Paradoxically, being made redundant is a good opportunity to analyse your current skills and understand where you may have gaps. This will help you to determine your next course of action. First, take stock of the skills and experience you already have. Next, find out what skills and qualifications would give you an edge in your field or help you land that dream job.
Consider: what experience and expertise will make you an asset to your current or future employer?
If you think that you need to learn something new, join a local college or enrol an online course. Platforms such as Udemy or Linkedin Learning offer thousands of courses provided by experts in different fields which allow you to learn on any device and accommodate all learning styles.
Check what courses local colleges or the jobcentre offer and ask if you get a reduction in fees or some support with costs; many could be free. If you’re considering returning to full-time education, there are many grants and bursaries available (see the Education Grants guide).
Make your CV Gold and your LinkedIn Profile Irresistible
Now that redundancy has hit it is time to bring your CV and LinkedIn profile up to speed. All of your experience and skills should be featured on your CV especially if you haven’t dusted it off for a while. The idea of your CV is that it gives you a chance to sell what you can do. This is your value proposition. This is why your achievements should be featured and adjusted to suit roles you apply for. The same should be stated for your personal statement.
Your LinkedIn profile should follow the same ethos, and you should list your skills under the heading ‘Specialism’ or ‘Competencies’ in the Summary section. This should include soft skills. The idea is that it catches the LinkedIn search engine making you visible to companies that need what you bring to the table.
Your profile should explain what you can do in readable English so it is easy to grasp for headhunters, recruiters, and decision makers. Your profile is different to your CV and you need to make the headline and the Summary section irresistible to sell your value proposition.
Get Networking
Networking is an invaluable job searching tool and now that your CV and LinkedIn profile are ready to take on the world, it is time to get out there and get noticed. First, reach out to old colleagues say hi and inform them you’re in the job market. Choose ones where a mutual respect exists. If there is an opportunity you’ll hear about it.
Use LinkedIn to actively market yourself. You can see our previous LinkedIn blogs here to get a feel for how to use the social media tool to your advantage.
Persistence is Needed for Success
To beat redundancy you need to stick at all of the above. Do not expect overnight success. This is a slow burn. Although this can be frustrating and disheartening, keep your chin up, persist, and you will see success.
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