A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

It would be great to have a life with only blessings. Sometimes life "gives you lemons”. However, in hindsight, it might become clear there was a reason for them.

I was made redundant twice. Once at the beginning of my career, the second time a few years ago. It was hard to deal with the shock, the sadness, the disappointment and the sense of failure.

On both occasions, redundancy has been a blessing in disguise: I ended up in more compelling and happier professional situations.

Likewise, in our experience as headhunters, redundancy has been the catalyst for improvements in the career and personal life of most of the numerous professionals we have been in contacts over the years.

If you have been made redundant:

·      Do not panic – stop and breath, life goes on.

·      Take the time to grieve – losing the job can be painful and unsettling, impacting every aspect of your life. Regardless of the circumstances, remember that it is ok not to be ok.

·      There is no shame in losing your job – despite the common and unjustified stigma around the subject, which can add some emotional charge to the situation.

·      Stay true to what you want to do – do not rush to take the first job offer for fear you will not find anything better.

·      Use the time to rethink your career path – this can be the opportunity / push you need to reassess your priorities and explore alternatives. Think about your talent and skills and how you can use them in a different way. Be brave.

·      Do not be afraid of reaching out for support – if you feel lost, you may want to talk to friends to help you overcome a challenging time; to mentors and coaches to help you map your career plan;  to industry experts to help you identify potential opportunities.

·      Do not underestimate your network of contacts – people who know you well are generally keen to help.  Talking to them might not achieve immediate returns but will keep your situation in their mind. And they may share some helpful advice or leads. Maximise the number of contacts and contacts of contacts to find your new path – you might consider to work on a free lance basis before you find a more permanent position, to keep you present in the market.

·      Be ready and visible – update your CV keeping in mind it is a photo of where you are in your career path and a movie of how you got there. It also helpful to tailor it towards the role you are aiming for.

·      Keep positive – depending on market conditions, it might take some time to land a suitable role. Trust the perfect position will arise at the right time. And while you are looking, remember to use some of the free time to do what makes you feel good.

If you want to share your own experience, discuss your current situation or share your thoughts, please feel free to reach out at Vici Doctors on [email protected]