Peter Murgatroyd, Regional Director of DBM’s London City and Global Financial Markets office, a career outplacement and change management consultancy, looks at how to survive redundancy and come out on top.

Recently again, large-scale redundancies have hit both local and national headlines as a number of major organisations have announced job cuts in order to reduce overheads. In today’s economic environment, this corporate downsizing is becoming increasingly common, making it more likely than ever before that you - or someone you know - will be affected by such cuts.

As outplacement consultants, at DBM we regularly see the impact that redundancy can have, not only on the people who have lost their jobs, but also on their families and those close to them. However, experience has shown us and our clients that redundancy does not mean the end of the world. By seeing redundancy as a natural career break, people can not only come to terms with the fact, but also see it as a door opening to new employment opportunities that they might not have considered before, often resulting in a more fulfilling and meaningful working life.

For every individual made redundant, the situation is different - how they react to the news, their personal circumstances, what they want out of a new job, how they go about getting it, etc., all vary, but there are some common factors which can help to make the most of an uncomfortable situation. The next page shows our top tips for surviving redundancy.

Don't Panic! Your instinct as soon as you find out that you are to lose your job is to worry about paying bills, providing food for your family. Put these into context - you may get some redundancy pay, which you can live off for a little while. Don’t rush to fill in job applications for jobs that you would not enjoy and are not qualified to do. Wait until you know what you want to do next and are prepared - this will ensure that you achieve maximum advantage from what you do.

Assess Your Situation. Before you even start looking for a new job, examine what you would like to do and are qualified to do. Make a list of all of your skills and strengths - remember, it is likely that these could be applied in sectors in which you may not have experience. You can then assess where the job opportunities are.

Plan Before You Network. Networking contacts can be extremely useful - if you use them correctly. However, the worst mistake you can make is to immediately rush out and contact everyone you know when you are in an emotional state following redundancy - you are likely to make a hash of presenting yourself, and thus lose credibility even before you start. Decide what you would like to say to contacts and what you want to get out of any discussions before you speak to or arrange to meet with them. Do not be afraid to ask for help from contacts, but be aware that asking them for a job directly may actually alienate them.

Treat Your Job Search As A Job Itself. Discipline yourself to look upon your search for a new job as a full-time job. This not only ensures that you are always alert and ready to go to interviews, but can also help with the psychological effects of redundancy by giving you a channel for your energy.



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