The Redundancy Rethink #4

Accepting A New Job

Those long-awaited words finally arrived: "Kate, we would like to offer you the position." The journey was over, the goal was met, and I accepted with confidence, knowing this was the right role for me.

However, I wasn't prepared for the fact that accepting the job was just the beginning of a new emotional roller-coaster.

Initial Feelings

Ecstasy! I was on a natural high for a solid 24 hours. I was thrilled to tell everyone that I had secured the job I wanted and that life would soon return to normal. I hadn't realized how many people I needed to inform: friends and family who had supported me through the process and everyone in my network who had gone the extra mile to help. They all deserved to hear the good news and share in the celebration.

Then came the realization that I needed to withdraw from the interviews I had lined up. This created a sense of guilt and sadness about letting people down. Fortunately, they all responded with understanding and congratulatory messages.

Relief set in as I reflected on my good fortune to secure a job within three weeks of my redundancy. This relief silenced the doubts, frustration, and worry that had plagued me.

Limbo

Once everyone was told and the initial buzz and relief wore off, I found myself in an unexpected state of exhaustion, grumpiness, and numbness. This seemed inconsistent with the joy of the moment. The adrenaline and focus of the job search had kept me going, and now that the goal was met, I felt lost. My body was telling me to take a break—I was burnt out. I took two days to just be, to sleep, and to reenergize for the new journey ahead.

Tension

Then the waiting game began: waiting for the contract, waiting for the vetting, waiting for something to go wrong. Hiring processes are meticulous and drawn-out for good reasons, but being on the receiving end can create tension. With each step forward, the tension eased, replaced by growing excitement for the new job and the opportunities it held.

Filling Your Time

With the job secured, I found myself with extra time since I no longer needed to dedicate a portion of the day to job hunting. I filled this time productively with extra research, longer walks, and catching up with friends and family. I approached this period as a mini holiday, which helped me feel rested and gave me the opportunity to reflect on my journey and take pride in my achievements.

Conclusion

The emotional journey of job hunting is significant—don't underestimate how much it can take out of you. I am excited to join my new team and to be the best, well-rested version of myself when I start. Redundancy is emotional, and it's important to embrace each emotion as it comes. Some will feel normal, and others will surprise you. Embrace them all!