What to do if your role is made redundant

If your role has recently been made redundant, you're not alone. Businesses are currently struggling, with job cuts across many sectors and the tech sector being the worst hit.

Navigating redundancy can be incredibly stressful. But there are things you can do to move forward positively from the experience.

Here at Eden Scott, we often work with people whose jobs have been made redundant, helping to place them in new enjoyable roles. Read the advice we give to our candidates.
 

Take some time to process 

When you learn that your role is being made redundant, the natural instinct is to scramble to find a new one immediately. 

Of course, this is often necessary - not everyone is entitled to a large redundancy payout, and we all need to pay our bills. 

But whether it's taking a few weeks or just a couple of days out, you should allow yourself time to process a challenging situation. 

Now is also an opportunity to reflect on your ambitions and to explore alternative career paths if that is something you would like to do.
 

Update your CV

When you're ready, one of the first steps you should take is to update your CV. 

It's best to tailor your CV to each job application, but you can create a 'master CV' detailing all of your work experience and key achievements, which you can borrow from when applying for roles. 

Even though your latest role has ended due to redundancy, the experience and results you gained are still valuable.

Consider what you brought to your latest role and pick some highlights to include in your CV. 
 

Use LinkedIn

On LinkedIn, you might have seen the green 'Open to Work' watermark that some users have across their profile pictures. 

This is a LinkedIn feature that you can turn on in settings. It signals to your network and to recruiters that you are looking for a new role. 

It's well worth using the 'Open to Work' feature to boost your visibility, but it's not the only way you can use LinkedIn to your advantage. 

Research jobs and employers, create connections, comment on posts and draft posts asking for information about new roles within your wheelhouse.
 

Work with a good recruitment agency

It's a good idea to get in contact with a recruitment agency as soon as you're able to. 

Recruitment specialists can help you identify key strengths, transferrable skills and career opportunities that you might not have considered. 

They are also well-connected with hiring managers, so having their recommendation will put you in a good position when applying and interviewing for a new job.

A good recruitment specialist will spend time getting to know you and ask you many questions about your ambitions and current situation. They won't steer you in a direction you're uncomfortable with to fill a role. 

At Eden Scott, we also help you to optimise your CV and, once you're placed for an interview, we provide free interview coaching so that you're ready to give it your best shot on the day. 
 

Don't lose confidence 

Our last tip is easier said than done, but it's possibly the most important one. So many of us have experienced redundancy through no fault of our own, but it's still so easy to internalise the experience as a failure. 

Remember, losing your job is rarely within your control. Although it's hard, try not to lose confidence in yourself. Instead, frame the experience as an opportunity - you might just end up in a role you're even happier with.
 

Final thoughts 

Navigating redundancy is tough, but by reflecting, being proactive and working with specialists, you'll quickly find a new job.
 

Next steps

Has your role been made redundant? We have hundreds of live vacancies to explore on our job board. 

Don't see one that suits? Simply send us your CV and we'll be in touch to discuss your goals.