Options for Working After Redundancy

Being made redundant is never a pleasant experience. It can be a confusing and stressful time for anyone, especially as you begin to work out what your next steps are going to be.

However, being made redundant doesn’t need to be a negative situation. In fact, it can be an opportunity to try new things, learn new skills and take more control of your career.

I’ve been made redundant, what should I do?

If you find yourself at a loose end after redundancy, there are a number of different options you could consider when thinking about returning to work.

Another permanent role

The first, and most straightforward, option is to simply hunt for another job in your relevant field.

From sending out CVs and dealing with recruiters, to attending interviews and awaiting feedback, there can be a lot of waiting around and relying on other people before you finally find a new role.

If you worked for a company that made large numbers of staff redundant, it is worth keeping in mind that there might be increased demand for jobs that are relevant to you, which could mean increased competition in interviews. You might also work in a highly-specialised sector where demand for permanent roles could potentially be low.

This can draw out a job hunt and potentially add an extra level of stress to finding new employment, especially if you are competing against former colleagues for the same positions.

Retrain or pass on skills

You may have been made redundant after years within the same role. This could be an opportunity to take a step back, look at the skills you have, and think about the skills you need to get by in a changing workplace.

Retraining or getting some guidance on the next steps you should take can help to reignite the passion you had for a role. It can also reinvigorate your skillset as you either look for a similar role to what you’ve known in the past or retrain to work in an entirely new field.

You might realise that you have a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience that you can share with others within your industry. Moving into a role focussed on training might be the perfect avenue to allow you to pass those skills on while also providing you a new role to work within.

Switching to consultancy

You might decide that you want to work in the same field, but, instead of working for someone else, you want to strike out on your own and share your skills and experience as a consultant.

This allows you to step back from the office politics and managerial problems that plague permanent staff and instead enjoy the freedom of being able to choose when and where you want to work.

Consultancy allows you to choose the work you take on. This can allow you to focus your attention on the areas of expertise that you enjoy, projects and causes you engage with and the work you enjoy.

You can work on short or long-term projects and find new ways to engage with your industry. After being made redundant, this is a return to what you know on your own terms, with the ability to choose long or short-term projects depending on your mood.

To find out more about contracting your services, visit our page that outlines the benefits of becoming a contractor or, if you want to learn more about the ways in which we can help support contractors, get in touch to speak to a member of the team.