A Guide to Surviving Redundancy

Seventy-nine days ago, my role was made redundant.

It was a day I won’t forget, and one I hadn’t anticipated. I knew some cost-saving measures were underway but didn’t realise my position would be part of the process. When the news hit, it felt like the ground had been pulled out from under me.

Working through this transition taught me valuable lessons I wish I’d known from the start. I’m sharing them here in the hope they’ll support someone on a similar path.

Redundancy might not be a popular topic on LinkedIn, but it’s one worth discussing. With the current economic climate in Australia, it’s impacting many professionals.

I hope you find the advice helpful...

1.???? Check Your Financial Entitlements & Reduce Expenses

Before signing or accepting anything, check your redundancy entitlements on the Fair Work Australia website. Understanding these entitlements is key. Check your employer has met all obligations, including redundancy pay and paying out any unused leave.

Since the timeline for your job search is uncertain, it’s best to prepare, financially. Review your household expenses and cut any non-essential spending right away. Think about items like cleaner, childcare, or streaming services like Netflix—these can all go. Do free activities with the kids instead, like nature walks or bike rides—you will have the time!

It might feel counterintuitive with a payout in the bank, but reducing expenses now will ease financial pressure and reduce your stress in the long run.

2.???? Acknowledge Emotions & Seek Support

Redundancy can feel like an emotional rollercoaster, and everyone responds differently. For some, it’s an exciting new chapter; for others, a challenging adjustment.

For me personally, it was a mix of stress and loss. At that time, I was working full-time while my husband was part-time and handling home life. Our roles flipped almost overnight, and adjusting was tough. Acknowledging those feelings and giving myself space to process them was important.

Remember, it’s okay to feel deeply about something you’ve invested so much in. Allow yourself to experience those emotions fully; cry if you need to. We put a lot of ourselves into our work, so it’s natural to feel this way.

For me, talking to a mental health professional was incredibly helpful (my aunty is a grief counsellor), and I’d recommend it to anyone feeling stuck.

3.???? Reframe Your Perspective

Remember that your position was made redundant—not you. This took time for me to understand fully. Initially, I kept questioning myself, but the truth is, it’s a financial decision, not a personal one.

When businesses have concerns with employee performance, they follow up with improvement and performance plans—not redundancies. Truly understanding and believing this will help you stay positive and confident as you move forward.

I cant stress this enough. You were not made redundant, your position (and salary) was.

4.???? Take Time to Recharge

Give yourself some breathing room. Spending time with family or just stepping away can help. I took a week in Perth to be with my mum at the beach. You don’t have to immediately dive into job hunting; give yourself time to recover so you can start this new career phase fresh.

5.???? Prioritise Health & Boundaries

Simple acts like walking, eating balanced meals, and reaching out to friends who lift you up is essential (this isn’t the time to arrange catchups with draining friends!). My best friends were my lifeline during this time. Health basics—like daily exercise and eating well—helped me stay strong and well-prepared for the mental and emotional challenges in those first few weeks.

Well-meaning former colleagues might reach out, but while processing emotions, I found it’s best to keep interactions light. It’s not that their support isn’t valued—it’s just that you need space. I responded with short, friendly replies but avoided long conversations until I’d had time to process what had happened.

6.???? Organise Your Job Search & Set Goals

Treat networking and job hunting as your new job. Every morning, I’d get up, go for a walk, shower, and then sit down by 9am at my computer with a plan.

Tracking my job applications and networking opportunities helped me stay organised (yes, I had an excel spreadsheet!). By doing this, I was able to identify areas for improvement and gain confidence in interviews. About four weeks in I realised I’d been applying for the wrong types of roles and also wasn’t as prepared for interviews as I should have been. But you can only spot these patterns and improve if you’re tracking all your applications.

Job hunting can become draining and exhausting, so I found it helpful to set weekly targets for job applications or networking. Celebrating small wins can help you stay motivated!

7.???? Network & Connect with Others

When I posted about my experience on LinkedIn, many in my network reached out with a text or a DM. Talking with people who understood the process and had gone through it was invaluable and reminded me I wasn’t alone.

Also, scheduling coffees and phone chats with recruiters and ex-colleagues (from previous jobs, not the business that I had just left) helped me stay professionally connected. It was also some respite from the job applications.

Getting feedback on my CV from recruiters, and talking with my friend who is a life coach, helped me refocus. Recruiters have a pulse on the job market, so it’s worth staying in touch and getting their advice.

8.???? Consider Freelance or Casual Work ASAP

I’d suggest starting as soon as possible, as generating even a small income can provide financial relief and empower you as you search for a longer-term role. It doesn’t matter what the job is—stock shelves if you have to—just take some control back!

Since I had an ABN from a previous consulting gig, I was able to restart freelancing in marketing. But if freelancing isn’t an option, consider casual work in retail, hospitality, or even driving for Uber. The social interaction that comes with shift work can also be uplifting during this time. And remember, not every job needs to go on your LinkedIn profile.

9.???? Keep Communication Positive

When discussing redundancy with potential employers, its best to keep it brief and positive. Make sure you have some tangible successes from your previous roles and have these ready to share as case studies. Focus on why you’re excited about this new opportunity. If you're wondering about what to write on your CV, a short mention of the business restructuring is enough.

Maintaining professionalism and being positive in your communication will reflect well on your character and your professional reputation.

10.? Embrace New Opportunities

While redundancy can feel like a setback, it opened the door for me to rebuild my own business—a path I hadn’t seriously considered in a long time (feel free to check out my consulting site at HollyFormosa.com). I now have two exciting projects underway, with another 4–5 in the pipeline for Q1 2025. In fact, I’ve stopped applying for jobs and am pursuing this as my medium- to long-term plan.

Sometimes, these forced endings are the push we need to start something new. If self-employment isn’t your path, take this as a chance to explore fresh opportunities that excite you. Take that course you’ve been eyeing, study a new field, travel—do what makes you happy. For many, it’s also a valuable time to reconnect with family, enjoy your kids and school pick-ups, and refocus on what truly matters.

Remember, your role was made redundant—you are not redundant.

You have value.

You have skills.

And you have experience.

Before long, another business will be lucky to have you, and you’ll look back on this as a chapter of growth through challenge.

I hope these insights help, and please feel free to reach out if you’d like to chat.

As we say in New Zealand… Kia Kaha (stay strong!).

Holly