THE LATEST UK UNEMPLOYMENT figures suggest the jobless rate is currently (March 2010) 7.8% with total unemployment at around 2.45 million. While the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance fell by 32,300 to 1.59 million in February. Of course the figures could be much higher than this, bearing in mind that politicians enjoy cooking the stats – particularly before an election, Mr Brown.
If you have been laid off recently then join the ever-increasing club – it’s a fact of working life now, so I empathise. Many of us know what you’re going through right now – and it hurts. It’s happened to me twice in my career and I know only too well how painful the experience can be. And how much it can affect relationships with everyone around us, especially those closest to us who are often just as anxious as we are. And can take the brunt of it all, if we’re not careful.
Even if you’ve had a gut feeling, or an official warning that your P45 would soon be in your in-tray, it’s still a terrible shock when it does happen. And that last day at work is horrendous. So how can we best cope with the range of feelings that can so easily overwhelm us as at such a stressful time? And how do we move forward when our self confidence has taken a severe battering?
Reassure and talk to your partner
Often our nearest and dearest get the brunt of our stress after redundancy. To avoid that happening, make sure you talk to them – as openly and honestly as you can about your feelings. In addition to being concerned about your wellbeing, they no doubt also thinking about how mortgages, school fees, holidays etc are going to ber paid, and even how they should tell friends and family. You’re not alone in this!
Network, network, network
Unless you’re going to take time out, rest or take a vacation, it’s imperative you contact everyone you have every worked with and all your friends to let them know you are looking for work. Don’t be embarrassed. Most of us have been made redundant at some point and most of us also are very happy to help. Don’t let your pride get in the way of asking people to help you. With recruitment agencies receiving up to 500 applications per job now, you need to find other ways to get that all important interview. Use the networks you already have, then start going to networking meetings in your chosen field. You can also try LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter if you are au fait with social networking. If not, then start reading about how to use these valuable sites from the excellent social media guide, mashable.com and other internet sources.
Find a careers coach
Some of your redundancy package – if you are luck enough to have one – could be well spent on hiring a coach for a month or so. They’ll be able to help you identify your core values and beliefs. And make sure your next job aligns with these important factors.
Turn around your thinking
Challenge your thoughts. Your thoughts actually create your reality so be careful! Although you may be feeling shell-shocked consider the benefits of actually being freed from a job that maybe, just maybe you didn’t like all that much anyway. If you’ve a nice redundancy pay out you could use the cash to invest in your own business, for example. Look at what you have got and practise gratitude, rather than focusing on the loss.
Keep busy – make a plan of action
More time on your hands can mean great productivity, or it can mean a quick slide into feelings of worthlessness. The day can go very quickly when you’re at home, looking for jobs in front of a computer. Make sure you get out, do some sport, go for a walk. Meet up with friends, even if it’s just for a coffee and a chat. Don’t stay in all the time.
Get professional help
The emotions we feel after being made redundant actually following a similar pattern to that of grieving: shock, disbelief, anger, denial, depression, guilt and then acceptance. Some of us are secretly glad when we’ve made redundant, others completely terrified. If you begin to notice symptoms of depression and just can’t be bothered to get out of bed in gthe mornings, get professional help. When things get that bad even the most stoic of us need to seek counselling or some other form of therapy. It’s so useful to talk to someone who actually understands what you are going through and the emotions that can overwhelm us… often the psychological affects of redundancy can bring up feelings from way back that we have buried.
Good luck! And remember, whether you think you can, or you can’t, you’re absolutely right!
Useful Book Links
Overcoming Redundancy: Brilliant ideas to help you bounce back – Gordon Adams
Rebuilding your life after redundancy: The New Life Network Handbook – Janet Davies
The Career Change Handbook – Graham Green
What Color is your Parachute? – Richard Nelson Bolles
Turn Redundancy to Opportunity – Laurel Alexander
Burning The Suit: Fighting back after the aftershock of Redundancy – Andrew Taylor
