A career transition can be brutal - when the dust settles it’s time to take back control

Anyone who has experienced being made redundant will know that it’s one of the most painful things that can happen in life.

To be made redundant is to know rejection. It strikes right at the heart of our self-esteem; after all, with the exception of our partner, what could be worse than our employer telling us “this really isn’t working out”?

Understandably, we feel a variety of different emotions when it happens, and anger or disbelief are often the first to surface. Anger at the company; at the person delivering the bad news, perhaps. Although it can seem cruel, one of the reasons many companies ask people to leave the building on the spot – in some cases accompanied - is because of these emotions. It will feel offensive at the time (“do you really trust me that little?”) but it’s as much for our own wellbeing as it is for company security reasons.

Up to now, the entire process has been outside of our control. We’re in a completely reactive state and potentially unable to do so much as shutting down our own computer. Before long, we’re being escorted out of the building.

Clear and rational thinking is going to be in short supply at this point. But in the days and weeks ahead, the dust will settle.

Now is the perfect time to go from reactive to proactive, and take back control of your career.

You may be offered time to speak with a career transition/redundancy coach. This is where we can take the first step to taking control: arrange a meeting with them!

Having an independent voice to speak to who specialises in working with people in career transition is a great way to go. Firstly, you’ll get a chance to talk through the events leading up to your redundancy; something you might not have done much of yet. They’ll be skilled at actively listening and empathising, two traits you can never have too much of in your life! Secondly, they’ll help you explore where your career is at; take an objective look at your skillset, your experience, and start to help you plan out what the next step is. Thirdly, they’ll work with you to create a career development plan: a selection of short, medium and longer-term goals you want to achieve over the years ahead. A career coach will help you understand what’s important to you, and what you want to achieve. The discussion is always led by you; the coach is there to help guide and facilitate.

Being made redundant is a truly traumatic experience, but it shouldn’t be career-defining. Take the time to digest it, and invest time with a professional coach to put together a career plan.

You won’t just overcome your redundancy. You’ll thrive from it.