If you’ve been made redundant, you’re not alone. In the first half of 2020, it’s reported almost 12,000 New Zealanders have been made redundant or are potentially facing redundancy.
It is said that every cloud has a silver lining, but upon receiving the news you’ve been made redundant, the future can feel very bleak. Loss of income can have far-reaching effects and being out of employment for any period of time is not a situation we want to find ourselves in. And, though at times the silver lining may not be so obvious, redundancy does bring about opportunity. Perhaps it’ll enable you to find future employment in a sector you’ve always wanted to work in, in a role you never knew existed, or be a pivotal moment in your career to make that change you’d always be thinking about but never acted upon.
In this blog, Asset Recruitment’s permanent recruitment specialist, Judith Bright, shares some top tips for turning redundancy into an opportunity.
Top tip #1: Be kind to yourself
Being made redundant can feel very personal, but it’s important to remember, it isn’t your fault. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected businesses of all sizes and across all sectors in different ways, but a common theme is that many have unfortunately had to make staff redundant. Knowing you’re not the only one to lose a job doesn’t make your situation any easier, but being kind to yourself and acknowledging your change in employment status is a result of the economic climate, not your professional ability, will set you up with the right mindset to re-enter the job market.
The silver lining: future employers will be aware of the market in which you’ve been made redundant.
Top tip #2: Don’t rush
On one hand you may not have the luxury of time to look for the perfect job, but on the other don’t rush into the first one you find simply to get a pay packet. Taking a moment to reflect and assess your current situation and really focus on what you want will help determine your job search criteria and what you’re looking for in your next role.
The silver lining: finding the right job for you will result in greater job satisfaction.
Top tip #3: Consider temp work
At Asset Recruitment, we work with many employers looking for temporary employees. Often these roles turn into an offer of permanent employment after a period of time. Temping provides job seekers with insight into different industries, a variety of roles, and a range of organisational cultures. Working as a temp after being made redundant will enable you to experience a range of different employment opportunities and help you determine what type of role you would like next.
The silver lining: you’ll be paid for trying a range of different jobs whilst experiencing different industries and company cultures.
Top tip #4: Look to retrain or upskill
Employers look for a variety of both hard and soft skills, but when was the last time you reviewed and analysed the skillset you offer? Being out of employment, albeit temporarily, is an opportune time to upskill or even retrain in an area you’ve always wanted to work. There are plenty of online and short courses available which can be completed while conducting your job search (showing your proactive attitude to any future employer).
The silver lining: free programmes and qualifications are being offered under the Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund as part of the New Zealand government’s COVID-19 recovery plan.
Top tip #5: Seek help with your job search
If you’ve been in employment for a while, suddenly finding yourself as a job seeker again can be challenging. Do you have an updated CV and, if so, does it outline what employers are currently looking for? Are you using the right search terms to find the most appropriate jobs for your skillset? Are you looking for jobs in the right places, e.g. TradeMe, LinkedIn? At Asset, we help hundreds of job seekers every year to find employment in permanent and temporary roles throughout Waikato. Furthermore, because our team are actively supporting both job seekers and clients, we’re aware of vacancies and opportunities that could be right for you.
The silver lining: you don’t have to do it alone, there are many businesses/services, including recruitment agencies that can help with advice and with your job search.
Stay positive
Stay positive and don’t get disillusioned if you can’t find the job you’re looking for. Instead, look elsewhere, seek expert recruitment advice, utilise your network, spread the word you’re looking for employment, and reward yourself when you’ve secured a new job. You’ve worked hard for it!