Redundancy: A New Chapter, Not the End of Your Story

Redundancy can feel like an abrupt end, but it is often the start of something new. Whether you want to pivot into a different industry, embrace entrepreneurship, or find a fresh opportunity, how you respond to redundancy will shape your next move.

If you are navigating redundancy, here are practical strategies to take control, adapt, and move forward.

Talent Tactics’ Top Tips for Moving Forward

1. Pause, Reflect, and Regroup

Losing a job can trigger a rollercoaster of emotions. Give yourself permission to process it before jumping into action. Ask yourself

• How am I feeling about this situation

• What aspects of this are within my control

• What do I want to do differently in my next role

Journaling or speaking to someone neutral can help bring clarity.

2. Separate Facts from Feelings

Redundancy feels personal, but it rarely is. Companies make these decisions based on business needs, restructuring, or shifts in strategy. Performance can sometimes be a factor in redundancy selection, but it must be part of a fair and transparent process. If your role was pooled for selection, ask about the criteria used. It can provide clarity and may highlight strengths you had not considered.

3. Rethink Your Career Path

This could be the opportunity to explore something different. What skills do you enjoy using? What type of work energises you?

When some of the tech giants have made large-scale redundancies in recent years, many affected employees used the shift to move into new industries like AI, sustainability, and cybersecurity. This highlights the potential for career reinvention, even in uncertain times. Taking the time to assess your transferable skills and explore industries experiencing growth can open up new possibilities.

4. Update Your LinkedIn and CV

Your LinkedIn profile is your professional storefront. Make sure it reflects your skills, achievements, and future ambitions

• Update your headline to reflect your target roles

• Add recent accomplishments and measurable results

• Request recommendations from former colleagues

Many people are now openly posting about their job search in a genuine, vulnerable way, asking for support from both known and unknown connections. Making your job search public can amplify your reach and encourage opportunities that you would not have found through applications alone.

Do not just wait for job ads. Reach out to hiring managers and talent acquisition professionals in companies you are interested in. Many opportunities are filled before they are publicly advertised.

5. Be Ready to Sell Yourself

Hiring managers are looking for more than technical skills. They want people who can solve problems, learn quickly, and adapt to new challenges.

Prepare to share real-life examples of

• When you have taken initiative or solved a problem

• How you have adapted to change

• Your biggest career achievements and the impact you made

Companies like Spotify and Canva have embraced skills-based hiring, prioritising capabilities over traditional experience. This shift means how you present your skills can be just as important as what’s on your CV.

6. Expand Your Network

Your next job may come from a conversation, not an application. Let people know you are exploring new opportunities. Attend industry events, join professional groups, and have informal chats with people who work in areas that interest you.

7. Consider Entrepreneurship

If a traditional job does not appeal, what could you build for yourself? Many professionals turn redundancy into an opportunity to go freelance or launch a small business.

The UK has seen a rise in solopreneurs in digital marketing, consulting, virtual assistance, and online education. Platforms like Substack, Patreon, and Teachable make it easier than ever to monetise expertise.

Think about:

• What skills could you offer as a service

• What problems could you solve for businesses

• How you could build something small now and scale over time

8. Know Your Rights and Resources

If you have been made redundant, make sure you understand your rights

• ACAS offers free workplace advice www.acas.org.uk

• Review your redundancy package and notice period

• Explore redeployment options within the company

If redundancy is on the horizon, be proactive. Speak to your employer about internal opportunities or reduced hours before final decisions are made. Keeping communication open can sometimes lead to alternatives.

Redundancy Is Not the End of Your Story

This is not just about finding another job. It is about rebuilding with intention. Taking a proactive and strategic approach turns uncertainty into opportunity. Whether that means a new role, a career pivot, or working for yourself, the next step is yours to define.

Need Outplacement Support for Individuals or Organisations Let’s Chat

If you or your organisation need support with career transitions, I offer outplacement coaching designed to help people move forward with confidence.

📩 Click the Get in Touch button on my website to chat through outplacement coaching options. I can help individuals and businesses navigate redundancy in a way that works for them.

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