What to Do After You Get Fired or Made Redundant

First of all, understand the difference between being fired and being made redundant.

You are fired because of poor performance, attitude, attendance, and many other reasons that reflect on your ability to perform your job properly.

Redundancy does not reflect on your or your abilities. It is often initiated when the business cannot support its staff or if the actual job you were doing is no longer necessary for the company’s good. It is the job that is removed, and you, unfortunately, go with it.

Regardless of why it happened, what do you do after you get fired or made redundant?

Well, if you are given an inkling that this might happen before it actually does, start preparing for a new job and take control of the process at once.

Even in a recession, changing your employer or your choice of career can be executed successfully.  When you know you have job options outside of your current employer, you can approach them confidently and find out what’s happening.

Redundancies can be mutually beneficial, especially if you’ve been with the business for some time, so don’t rush in and resign and miss out on your redundancy payment or package.

Whatever the financial outcome with the redundancy, you need to do everything possible to be prepared for any time without a stable income or paycheck.

• Make sure your finances are taken care of – i.e. prepare creditors of your position, so your debt repayments are agreeable
• Your social security benefits and any termination payments you are entitled to need to be checked out – legal advice is recommended
• Don’t forget to cover the insurance problem. You don’t want to be left uninsured.

Will your company aid you in finding new employment if you were made redundant?

What You Can Control

If you’ve been made redundant before you’ve had a chance to get sorted with another job, start seeking new employment as soon as possible.

Update your resume with your latest job.  You will also need a couple of personal and professional referees. Make sure your cover letter is appropriate for the job you are seeking.

Go online and look for websites that can help you hone your interview technique.

Job search sites can also inform you of the going rates and salaries for your role.

Stages of Grief

Accept you will have good and bad days as you go through grief stages for the job that is no longer. These are trying times for everyone who goes through a redundancy.

Recognise each stage as you go through them, so you’re in control of your actions and reactions.

These are typically the stages of grief, whether it’s a loss of a job, or a partnership, or the death of someone close to you.

• Shock and denial
• Anger and pain
• bargaining
• depression – you’ve hit the bottom
• acceptance – you’re now on the up again 🙂
• hope

Stay positive and confident about your career and job prospects.

See the time out as a way to reengage with what you love about your work, and if you were really just treading water, now is the time to change course and do what you really want to do in your career.

Be flexible and willing to take part-time work until you find your coveted position.

Use spare time to the network since jobs can come from the most unexpected places.

Recruitment agencies, job fairs, and career counselors not only open your mind to new possibilities but also get your name out there to be remembered.