Features - Careers Advice
Redundancy - A CV Centre Guide
Redundancy is undeniably a difficult experience, but it is important to remember that being made redundant does not reflect on one's personal ability to perform a job. Redundancy arises when a position, not an individual, becomes financially untenable - and it is becoming increasingly frequent across a variety of industry sectors as efforts are made to 'downsize'.
A background to redundancy
Employers downsize or 'reduce their headcount' for various reasons, including mergers/takeovers, increased operating costs, loss of business, new management, new technologies and reduced profit. There are two main types of redundancy - 'compulsory', whereby the specific positions simply cease to exist, and 'voluntary', where employees are given a choice whether or not to take redundancy, although they are not obliged to accept.
Knowing that redundancy is a commonplace occurrence does not make it any easier to cope with and it can often instil feelings of inadequacy, rejection, loss and humiliation. It can also leave you feeling vulnerable and fearful for your future security. However, there is no longer any stigma attached to being made redundant and it should not be spoken about with any sense of shame.
The way forward
Your CV is a vital first step and naturally we would strongly recommend that you have it professionally prepared by The CV Centre. You should also register with local recruitment agencies and maintain regular contact with them to ensure they fully understand your career objectives. The more information you provide them with, the greater the chance they have of finding an appropriate position for you. Be as proactive as possible in your job hunting - your ideal job will not come and present itself to you - you have to get out there and find it!
Money
When you are made redundant, it is often very easy to lose control of your finances. You should never assume that you will be able to walk straight into a new job no matter how skilled or qualified you may be. Any redundancy package that you receive, and any savings that you may need to rely on, should be budgeted carefully to ensure that you have enough money to survive the full duration of your redundancy - however long this may be. It might also be worthwhile investigating your eligibility for Jobseekers Allowance or other similar benefits.
The Future
Finally, just remember that every cloud has a silver lining. Try to manage your redundancy to your advantage. Many people find redundancy to be an important - and positive - turning point in their lives, giving them the opportunity to reassess their goals and achieve the future they desire.
The CV Centre
A CV is often all a prospective employer has to judge you on, so creating the right first impression is vital. Whatever job you've set your sights on, with our market-leading position in this field we are confident that our assistance will maximise your chances of winning it. There really is no substitute for taking advantage of in-depth professional experience. Find out how The CV Centre can help you.
The CV Centre - www.ineedacv.co.uk
