Published Date: 9 September 2024
Being made redundant is one of the most stressful experiences anyone can face. At Beyond Recruitment, we have accumulated decades of experience in supporting professionals who have lost their jobs due to redundancy, so we are deeply familiar with how painful it can be.
Redundancies in New Zealand are on the rise across the private and public sectors. While it is wise to be prepared for the possibility of a job loss, it is just as important to remain positive. Retaining a bit of optimism allows you to keep a level head on your shoulders and be strategic about your job search and future career moves.
Finding work after redundancy is always possible – especially by focusing on your strengths so you can pave a new path forward. We will cover key tips that have helped many of our candidates find their footing after redundancy and land them a job that exceeds their expectations.
Stay Positive
Your mindset is especially vital in finding work after redundancy. Remember, you are not alone – many professionals have faced the same situation, irrespective of their skills, experience and tenure. Not taking it personally is critical for maintaining a positive mindset.
Instead of viewing redundancy as a reflection of your abilities, consider it an opportunity to reassess your career goals and explore new directions. By focusing on what you can control – like building on your skills, expanding your network, and staying proactive – you can turn this challenge into a stepping stone toward a more fulfilling career.
Pause and Consider Your Immediate Priorities
Being made redundant can come as a shock, whether you were expecting it or not. Take the time to process what is happening, and don’t rush into your next steps. It’s important to re-focus and, if possible, allow yourself some time to recover from the shock. It’s not unusual for people to make a significant career change after a redundancy, so having time for reflection can help you decide where to go next with your career.
If financial pressures make it challenging to take a break, consider finding an interim or contracting job rather than jumping back into the same career space too quickly. In addition to the much-appreciated income you can earn, contractor jobs offer opportunities to build on your existing skills, broaden your professional connections and lead to a permanent role. Having a temporary position or two on your CV after redundancy can also demonstrate you are proactive and motivated to work.
Skills Are Key to Finding Work After Redundancy
Whether or not you’ve found a temporary position to tide you over after a job loss, taking stock of your skill set is a sensible move. Most of us are often too busy with our working lives to reflect on our professional strengths and weaknesses and how we could grow our existing skills.
Look at the types of roles you’re interested in applying for next and how your current skills match. Use this time to work out where you could develop your skills further with training or certifications through short courses or perhaps tertiary studies if you’re eyeing a more substantial career change.
With 61% of New Zealand business leaders saying Generative AI will require their workforce to upskill in the next three years, it is worthwhile to look at what technology skills you might need to build for future roles. However, don’t just focus on the technical – consider your transferable skills and soft skills as well, as we find employers value these just as highly when deciding on who to hire.
Revamp Your CV
If you haven’t been active in the job market for a while, it is definitely time to update your CV. We recommend you refresh your CV from start to finish so it reads well and looks up to date.
Start with a Fresh Look: Consider updating the format and design of your CV to give it a modern feel. The best approach is a clean, simple layout with clear headings and bullet points.
Highlight Recent Experience: Focus on your most recent roles, especially those relevant to the positions you’re applying for. List your key responsibilities and achievements for each role, emphasising outcomes and impact.
Add New Skills: Think about any new skills you've developed since your last CV update. Include relevant certifications or courses you’ve completed.
Include Keywords: Use keywords from the job description to tailor your CV for each role, highlighting your most relevant skills and experiences. Using keywords helps your CV pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS) and increases your chances of getting noticed.
Keep It Short: Aim for two pages at most, focusing on the last 10 years of experience. Use bullet points to keep descriptions brief and to the point. Also, avoid including your age, full address and a photo of yourself.
Update Your Contact Information: Last but not least, ensure your email, phone number, and LinkedIn profile are current.
Don’t Forget Your Online Presence
Retooling your online presence is another important way to market yourself for new job opportunities.
Start with your LinkedIn profile – update your headline to reflect your current job search and desired roles, and refresh your About summary to highlight your key strengths and recent achievements. Ensure your experience section is up to date with your skills and accomplishments.
Additionally, it’s worth checking any other social media profiles you have and cleaning them up if necessary.
Have an Interview Strategy
When you’ve had a long time in between job searches, it’s possible you may be a little rusty or unrehearsed when it comes to job interviews. To rebuild your interviewing confidence, we recommend you practice common interview questions and thoroughly research the company and role you’re interviewing for.
Be prepared to address your redundancy in job interviews. It’s best to be honest but concise, framing it as an opportunity for growth rather than a setback. You can focus on how you've used the time to upskill, reassess your career goals, or take on new challenges.
Beyond Recruitment can help you with preparing for interviews, showing you which questions you can anticipate and how to answer them effectively. We can also provide feedback on your interview technique and share insider tips on the company culture and employers’ preferences, giving you a leg-up.
Get Help from a New Zealand Recruitment Specialist
The key to finding work after redundancy is to stay proactive, keep learning, and don’t hesitate to seek help when needed. The team at Beyond Recruitment is here to help you with your next steps after being made redundant.
We are a proudly Kiwi-owned and operated recruitment agency working throughout Aotearoa, New Zealand. Our Whānau is passionate about supporting you in finding a role that enables you to shine. Contact us today for assistance with your job search, access our resources for job seekers, or explore our advice here.
