Redundancy
Posted by: Kevin-W on 05 May 2004
Peeps
Week before last I was made redundant - very common in my industry (I was a magazine editor); in fact, I'm surprised I've survived 15 years without it happening to me.
I'd be interested to hear other people's experience. Did you use it as an opportunity for a career change? How did you cope? How did you find another job? Did you have to step down the career ladder or did you land on your feet? How long were you out of work?
How did you fill the days (at the moment I'm fighting the lure of daytime TV, going through the pile of "to be listened to" LPs, visit tthe cinema, galleries and museums, alternately networking like crazy and feeling sorry for myself in that "41, no job, no girlfriend" type way).
Fortunately a generous payoff means that I won't have to work until July (or August if I'm super careful), and there's plenty of freelance work available (but that's not a long term option because I hate working from home and I like the discipline of going into an office) but I really really hate not working.
I'd be interested in your experiences (and if anyone has any advice, I'd be interested in that too).
Thanks in advance
Kevin xx
Week before last I was made redundant - very common in my industry (I was a magazine editor); in fact, I'm surprised I've survived 15 years without it happening to me.
I'd be interested to hear other people's experience. Did you use it as an opportunity for a career change? How did you cope? How did you find another job? Did you have to step down the career ladder or did you land on your feet? How long were you out of work?
How did you fill the days (at the moment I'm fighting the lure of daytime TV, going through the pile of "to be listened to" LPs, visit tthe cinema, galleries and museums, alternately networking like crazy and feeling sorry for myself in that "41, no job, no girlfriend" type way).
Fortunately a generous payoff means that I won't have to work until July (or August if I'm super careful), and there's plenty of freelance work available (but that's not a long term option because I hate working from home and I like the discipline of going into an office) but I really really hate not working.
I'd be interested in your experiences (and if anyone has any advice, I'd be interested in that too).
Thanks in advance
Kevin xx
Posted on: 05 May 2004 by Bhoyo
Kevin:
Check your PTs.
Davie
Check your PTs.
Davie
Posted on: 06 May 2004 by rodwsmith
Kevin
I'm sorry for you, I know just what it's like.
I seized the opportunity to go self employed, although working from home suits me. The delight in securing a new consultancy or contract is just like getting a new job and it keeps on happening. But it is quite scary when the diary looks empty, and you feel guilty taking holidays, buying hi-fi etc.
Still, if you lasted 15 years in your last post, and this was above average, then you seem well set to get more employment.
Just try to enjoy the free time rather than resenting it. It may be not of your choice, but it is still free time.
If all else fails, do up your house/flat, sell it, buy two smaller properties (one a wreck, one to live in) do them both up, sell, and so on. A friend of mine was made redundant 10 years ago and followed this course (from an amateur start in a pokey flat) and now lives in a million pound house in Islington, overseeing a property development business that involves him supervising builders seemingly about one day every three months...he has a very nice hi-fi indeed!!
All the best and good luck
Rod
I'm sorry for you, I know just what it's like.
I seized the opportunity to go self employed, although working from home suits me. The delight in securing a new consultancy or contract is just like getting a new job and it keeps on happening. But it is quite scary when the diary looks empty, and you feel guilty taking holidays, buying hi-fi etc.
Still, if you lasted 15 years in your last post, and this was above average, then you seem well set to get more employment.
Just try to enjoy the free time rather than resenting it. It may be not of your choice, but it is still free time.
If all else fails, do up your house/flat, sell it, buy two smaller properties (one a wreck, one to live in) do them both up, sell, and so on. A friend of mine was made redundant 10 years ago and followed this course (from an amateur start in a pokey flat) and now lives in a million pound house in Islington, overseeing a property development business that involves him supervising builders seemingly about one day every three months...he has a very nice hi-fi indeed!!
All the best and good luck
Rod
Posted on: 06 May 2004 by greeny
quote:
If all else fails, do up your house/flat, sell it, buy two smaller properties (one a wreck, one to live in) do them both up, sell, and so on. A friend of mine was made redundant 10 years ago and followed this course (from an amateur start in a pokey flat) and now lives in a million pound house in Islington, overseeing a property development business that involves him supervising builders seemingly about one day every three months...he has a very nice hi-fi indeed!!
Please note, 10years ago was a lot better time to start this particular type of business than now.
Posted on: 06 May 2004 by seagull
In the early 90's I had the misfortune of being made redundant twice within 12 months (both just before Christmas!)
Even in the recession I was able to pick up a new job fairly easily, I was out of work for about 6 weeks in total.
Try and set yourself a disciplined routine. Spend some of the day actively looking for work. When you send off your CV follow up with a phone call to ensure it got there (it also brings it to the top of the pile).
Think about all those jobs you've been putting off, make a start on those (you've no Nagger(tm Mike Lacey) to ensure that you do.
Try to get a job quickly then that 'generous payout' becomes a nice little bonus which can be spent on whatever you like! In your field I guess that you could take on freelance work in the short term to boost your coffers without committing to any longer term contractual ties.
Even in the recession I was able to pick up a new job fairly easily, I was out of work for about 6 weeks in total.
Try and set yourself a disciplined routine. Spend some of the day actively looking for work. When you send off your CV follow up with a phone call to ensure it got there (it also brings it to the top of the pile).
Think about all those jobs you've been putting off, make a start on those (you've no Nagger(tm Mike Lacey) to ensure that you do.
Try to get a job quickly then that 'generous payout' becomes a nice little bonus which can be spent on whatever you like! In your field I guess that you could take on freelance work in the short term to boost your coffers without committing to any longer term contractual ties.
Posted on: 06 May 2004 by TomK
For some people being made redundant can be an opportunity – the chance to shake off the shackles of wage slavery and branch out into something new. For the majority I suspect it’s a disaster. In my own case it was just that. I was made redundant from my job in software management in January 1991 after 14 years of exemplary service with the same multinational corporation including 3 years in management in California, and ended up being up out of proper work for over two years. We eventually teetered on the edge of financial oblivion with borderline alcoholism and depression thrown in for good measure. This experience not only blighted our lives for the first couple of years but still affects us in the form of drastically reduced income and increased debt. It’s going to carry on affecting us into retirement as we had to cash in investments and endowments to survive. But it needn’t have been as bad as this and much of it was down to my own mistakes and errors of judgement. I’m happy to pass on my experience and advice in the hope that somebody out there may avoid the hard times we went through.
1. In the early days I arrogantly refused to apply for jobs I regarded as being beneath me. Big mistake. Apply for everything remotely relevant as it’s much easier to get a job when you’re currently employed. Also, the longer you’re out of work the more difficult it is to get back in as potential employers start to become suspicious.
2. I went on a “Management Extension Course” at Stirling University. Aimed at unemployed executives and professional people, it’s supposed to broaden skills and make you more attractive within the job market. What it really does is get you off the dole and make government figures look more acceptable, while distracting you from your most important task which is to find a job. I still wonder how many people, adults and kids, are wasting their time doing completely useless courses in the hope there’ll be some benefit at the end. There probably won’t be and the fact that nobody was willing to give me any statistics analysing the effects of these programmes made me very suspicious. This was another big mistake as those first few weeks are crucial. Spend all your time job hunting.
3. I spent money like water in an effort to cheer myself up. What better way to make yourself feel better about the prospect of long term relative poverty than to buy a pile of CDs? Or a nice new watch? I developed a real “live for today” mentality which has been reawakened in the past year when I’d have been far more sensible to put the several thousand quid I spent on hi-fi into a pension fund. The message is, get yourself on to a reasonable budget right away. Your redundancy money may have to last a long time and it can do so if you’re sensible from the start. And I don’t mean live on bread and water.
4. I drank too much. Initially the world started looking much less hostile through a merry glow but it gradually got far worse until I was drinking to excess every single night. I spent a large part of that period and the year or so after in a haze and still occasionally come across CDs I didn’t realise I had. Very bad for the health and the pocket.
5. I had a shot in Financial Services in an effort to get back into the working world. This was an utter disaster and probably the single biggest mistake I made. Not only did I forfeit the redundancy protection insurance I was receiving at the time but I took my eye off the real job market. By the standards of that business I was relatively successful in that I made some money over a period of 18 months or so. Most people sell a few policies to friends and family and then leave or else they struggle on a bit and eventually suffer from severe heavy drinking and/or depression. The job ads can be quite seductive with their extravagant claims of earning potential but avoid like the plague. It’s not for most people.
6. I was adamant we wouldn’t lose our house and cashed in various investments including some stuff for the kids to keep us going when the alternative was to give up and sell up. Maybe it would have been easier to do that at the time but at least I know that we stayed together as a family unit, in our family home, and I don’t think we’d have survived if we’d been forced to sell up and move.
7. I started to consider myself pretty worthless and assumed I’d never be able to get back into the computing world as my extremely specialist skills rapidly became out of date and it took a massive kick up the arse from my wife to make me apply for the job I eventually got.
So there you have it. As I read this back I can’t believe how stupid I must have been but during such a stressful time it’s not always easy to be rational. I don’t want this to seem like an orgy of self pity so I’ll leave it at that. Sadly it’s probably not the positive message you were after but I just wanted to send out the warning that redundancy is a serious business and if you don’t handle it properly you can end up in deep trouble. Be positive and never, ever give up hope. But also be realistic and accept that you may be in for a rough ride.
1. In the early days I arrogantly refused to apply for jobs I regarded as being beneath me. Big mistake. Apply for everything remotely relevant as it’s much easier to get a job when you’re currently employed. Also, the longer you’re out of work the more difficult it is to get back in as potential employers start to become suspicious.
2. I went on a “Management Extension Course” at Stirling University. Aimed at unemployed executives and professional people, it’s supposed to broaden skills and make you more attractive within the job market. What it really does is get you off the dole and make government figures look more acceptable, while distracting you from your most important task which is to find a job. I still wonder how many people, adults and kids, are wasting their time doing completely useless courses in the hope there’ll be some benefit at the end. There probably won’t be and the fact that nobody was willing to give me any statistics analysing the effects of these programmes made me very suspicious. This was another big mistake as those first few weeks are crucial. Spend all your time job hunting.
3. I spent money like water in an effort to cheer myself up. What better way to make yourself feel better about the prospect of long term relative poverty than to buy a pile of CDs? Or a nice new watch? I developed a real “live for today” mentality which has been reawakened in the past year when I’d have been far more sensible to put the several thousand quid I spent on hi-fi into a pension fund. The message is, get yourself on to a reasonable budget right away. Your redundancy money may have to last a long time and it can do so if you’re sensible from the start. And I don’t mean live on bread and water.
4. I drank too much. Initially the world started looking much less hostile through a merry glow but it gradually got far worse until I was drinking to excess every single night. I spent a large part of that period and the year or so after in a haze and still occasionally come across CDs I didn’t realise I had. Very bad for the health and the pocket.
5. I had a shot in Financial Services in an effort to get back into the working world. This was an utter disaster and probably the single biggest mistake I made. Not only did I forfeit the redundancy protection insurance I was receiving at the time but I took my eye off the real job market. By the standards of that business I was relatively successful in that I made some money over a period of 18 months or so. Most people sell a few policies to friends and family and then leave or else they struggle on a bit and eventually suffer from severe heavy drinking and/or depression. The job ads can be quite seductive with their extravagant claims of earning potential but avoid like the plague. It’s not for most people.
6. I was adamant we wouldn’t lose our house and cashed in various investments including some stuff for the kids to keep us going when the alternative was to give up and sell up. Maybe it would have been easier to do that at the time but at least I know that we stayed together as a family unit, in our family home, and I don’t think we’d have survived if we’d been forced to sell up and move.
7. I started to consider myself pretty worthless and assumed I’d never be able to get back into the computing world as my extremely specialist skills rapidly became out of date and it took a massive kick up the arse from my wife to make me apply for the job I eventually got.
So there you have it. As I read this back I can’t believe how stupid I must have been but during such a stressful time it’s not always easy to be rational. I don’t want this to seem like an orgy of self pity so I’ll leave it at that. Sadly it’s probably not the positive message you were after but I just wanted to send out the warning that redundancy is a serious business and if you don’t handle it properly you can end up in deep trouble. Be positive and never, ever give up hope. But also be realistic and accept that you may be in for a rough ride.
Posted on: 06 May 2004 by Bhoyo
Gentlemen:
Already we have a range of honest, useful and (especially in TomK's case) courageous replies. Much of this information and encouragement will go a long way to helping Kevin and others of us who have had to make some enforced changes.
A fantastic example of what this forum should be all about. I take my hat off to you all.
Regards,
Davie
Already we have a range of honest, useful and (especially in TomK's case) courageous replies. Much of this information and encouragement will go a long way to helping Kevin and others of us who have had to make some enforced changes.
A fantastic example of what this forum should be all about. I take my hat off to you all.
Regards,
Davie
Posted on: 06 May 2004 by Ian Hughes
After over 17 years of service, I was made redundant from my last employer in the telecomms industry. I apologise in advance for the long post.
SIGN ON
When I got the notice, the first thing was to go to the Job Centre and register my intention to claim Job Seeker's allowance (about £59/week). You can get this for six months. Also, if you have it, contact the mortgage redundancy insurance company. Neither will pay out if you've got pay in lieu of notice, but it does speed things up a bit when you need it to later on. Remember, you've paid into these funds - now it's time for the payback!
Without wishing to offend anyone, I would imagine most of us on this board are professional people. In that case, don't expect much help from the Job Centre in actually finding a job - they are not geared up for people like us.
BUDGET
Review your spending. Cut out all non-essential spending. You can have a splurge with your surplus money later to celebrate your new job. But at the moment, you don't know how long your money will last. Work out your financial thresholds, how much would you like to earn, how much would you settle for, and how much do you need to survive. Obviously the longer your redundancy goes on for, these figures may well change.
JOB HUNTING
Opinions vary as to when you need to start job hunting. Some say immediately, some say have a bit of time off to get your head straight - only you can decide. But, when ever you start,treat finding a job as unpaid employment. You need self discipline - work office hours doing it. 15 minutes for tea or coffee in the morning and afternoon, and no more than 1 hour for lunch. Avoid the getting up late and watching day-time TV syndrome.
MARKET YOURSELF
Develop a killer CV and covering letter. You need second, third and fourth opinions on this. You could be underselling yourself if you don't get others to cast their eyes over the document. Use these as templates only. When replying to job adverts, highlight key words and phrases in the advert and alter your CV to play the exact words back to the potential employer. If nothing else, it shows you're treating this as a unique opportunity, rather than just a mail-shot. Set up a register of jobs you've applied for, when, to whom the CV was sent, advert references etc.
This will help you keep a tally on how things are going, and will provide evidence to the Job Centre that you're still actively seeking work. Your Job Seekers allowance could be in jeopardy if you don't.
If you could use your skills to go contracting or temping, then get on as many agencies books as you can.
In my experience, internet job boards/agencies are an interesting read, but not a serious option. There is far too much competition out there. Due to the ease of applying, each job (if it actually exists) attracts over 500 applicants. The typical agent will stop reading after the first 10. Treat internet job agencies like estate agents. They work for commission on behalf of employers - not you!!
Read the quality papers. Don't just look for the situations vacant columns. There are articles about companies launching new products or initiatives. Ring them up and find out which Head Honcho could be recruiting. Do not send a speculative CV to the Head of Human Resources. Most of them don't do recruitment any more.
The thing to do is NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK. Put the word out that you're available, and the sort of thing you're looking for. You need to get your friends to talk to their friends on your behalf.
Aim to get 10 applications off per week.
SUPPORT
Go to the library and see if there are any local branches of IAG - an independent job seekers support group. They will help you write your CV and covering letter, let you practice interview techniques, and provide loads of other useful tips and wrinkles.
SETTLING FOR SECOND BEST?
If you're offered a job that doesn't tick all your boxes, consider taking it - if nothing else for the money and the experience, and keep looking. Despite propaganda to the contrary, there is a stigma to redundancy. It's easier to get a job when you've got one.
It took me 9 months and 225 job applications before I landed a job. It's not the ideal one, nor is it in a convenient location, but it's the only one I was offered. I am still looking for something better.
SOFT STUFF
Above all, believe in yourself and be prepared for the emotional roller-coaster. There is a great high when you've been called to interview, and a great low when you've been rejected, particularly when you feel you've done well. Be prepared for the flimsiest of reasons for why you didn't get the job. After that, reflect on what went well and what went badly, learn from the experience and move on.
Don't get disheartened, otherwise it will come over in your applications and interviews.
All the very best in your search.
SIGN ON
When I got the notice, the first thing was to go to the Job Centre and register my intention to claim Job Seeker's allowance (about £59/week). You can get this for six months. Also, if you have it, contact the mortgage redundancy insurance company. Neither will pay out if you've got pay in lieu of notice, but it does speed things up a bit when you need it to later on. Remember, you've paid into these funds - now it's time for the payback!
Without wishing to offend anyone, I would imagine most of us on this board are professional people. In that case, don't expect much help from the Job Centre in actually finding a job - they are not geared up for people like us.
BUDGET
Review your spending. Cut out all non-essential spending. You can have a splurge with your surplus money later to celebrate your new job. But at the moment, you don't know how long your money will last. Work out your financial thresholds, how much would you like to earn, how much would you settle for, and how much do you need to survive. Obviously the longer your redundancy goes on for, these figures may well change.
JOB HUNTING
Opinions vary as to when you need to start job hunting. Some say immediately, some say have a bit of time off to get your head straight - only you can decide. But, when ever you start,treat finding a job as unpaid employment. You need self discipline - work office hours doing it. 15 minutes for tea or coffee in the morning and afternoon, and no more than 1 hour for lunch. Avoid the getting up late and watching day-time TV syndrome.
MARKET YOURSELF
Develop a killer CV and covering letter. You need second, third and fourth opinions on this. You could be underselling yourself if you don't get others to cast their eyes over the document. Use these as templates only. When replying to job adverts, highlight key words and phrases in the advert and alter your CV to play the exact words back to the potential employer. If nothing else, it shows you're treating this as a unique opportunity, rather than just a mail-shot. Set up a register of jobs you've applied for, when, to whom the CV was sent, advert references etc.
This will help you keep a tally on how things are going, and will provide evidence to the Job Centre that you're still actively seeking work. Your Job Seekers allowance could be in jeopardy if you don't.
If you could use your skills to go contracting or temping, then get on as many agencies books as you can.
In my experience, internet job boards/agencies are an interesting read, but not a serious option. There is far too much competition out there. Due to the ease of applying, each job (if it actually exists) attracts over 500 applicants. The typical agent will stop reading after the first 10. Treat internet job agencies like estate agents. They work for commission on behalf of employers - not you!!
Read the quality papers. Don't just look for the situations vacant columns. There are articles about companies launching new products or initiatives. Ring them up and find out which Head Honcho could be recruiting. Do not send a speculative CV to the Head of Human Resources. Most of them don't do recruitment any more.
The thing to do is NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK. Put the word out that you're available, and the sort of thing you're looking for. You need to get your friends to talk to their friends on your behalf.
Aim to get 10 applications off per week.
SUPPORT
Go to the library and see if there are any local branches of IAG - an independent job seekers support group. They will help you write your CV and covering letter, let you practice interview techniques, and provide loads of other useful tips and wrinkles.
SETTLING FOR SECOND BEST?
If you're offered a job that doesn't tick all your boxes, consider taking it - if nothing else for the money and the experience, and keep looking. Despite propaganda to the contrary, there is a stigma to redundancy. It's easier to get a job when you've got one.
It took me 9 months and 225 job applications before I landed a job. It's not the ideal one, nor is it in a convenient location, but it's the only one I was offered. I am still looking for something better.
SOFT STUFF
Above all, believe in yourself and be prepared for the emotional roller-coaster. There is a great high when you've been called to interview, and a great low when you've been rejected, particularly when you feel you've done well. Be prepared for the flimsiest of reasons for why you didn't get the job. After that, reflect on what went well and what went badly, learn from the experience and move on.
Don't get disheartened, otherwise it will come over in your applications and interviews.
All the very best in your search.
Posted on: 06 May 2004 by Not For Me
Kevin,
Sorry to hear your news. As others have said, it might turn out to be a positive life change in the end.
The previous posts have eloquently described lots of good advice.
Treat getting a job as a job in itself.
Consider a change of career - I have a friend who was a magazine editor, was made redundant and moved to doing PR, ans made a good hack of it!
Try to get out of bed in the mornings!
Use your friends and your previous contacts unashamedly.
Avoid over fussy CVs on pink paper with fancy borders
or write your autobiogaphy
Above all good luck!
DS
Sorry to hear your news. As others have said, it might turn out to be a positive life change in the end.
The previous posts have eloquently described lots of good advice.
Treat getting a job as a job in itself.
Consider a change of career - I have a friend who was a magazine editor, was made redundant and moved to doing PR, ans made a good hack of it!
Try to get out of bed in the mornings!
Use your friends and your previous contacts unashamedly.
Avoid over fussy CVs on pink paper with fancy borders
or write your autobiogaphy
Above all good luck!
DS
Posted on: 06 May 2004 by Kevin-W
You have all been magnificent, guys!
Thank you for your advice – and your experiences too. It's always great to hear how others have done, and it's heartening to know tthat you're not "alone".
I should count myself lucky. Although I've been in the magazine industry 15 years, I'd only been with my previous company 15 months, and I got an extraordinarily generous payoff, and it was all very amicable. I'm a good deal better off than many of you have been and you all seem to have pulled through. And at least I don't have to take the first thing that comes along...
I can of course earn some dosh as a freelancer as a stop-gap, but what I do miss is the buzz of an office and of working with other people.
I'll keep you all posted. And if I get a good job reasonably quickly, the drinks are on me!
Best wishes to you all
Kevin
PS Davie - check your PTs!
Thank you for your advice – and your experiences too. It's always great to hear how others have done, and it's heartening to know tthat you're not "alone".
I should count myself lucky. Although I've been in the magazine industry 15 years, I'd only been with my previous company 15 months, and I got an extraordinarily generous payoff, and it was all very amicable. I'm a good deal better off than many of you have been and you all seem to have pulled through. And at least I don't have to take the first thing that comes along...
I can of course earn some dosh as a freelancer as a stop-gap, but what I do miss is the buzz of an office and of working with other people.
I'll keep you all posted. And if I get a good job reasonably quickly, the drinks are on me!
Best wishes to you all
Kevin
PS Davie - check your PTs!
Posted on: 07 May 2004 by Laurie Saunders
I was made redundant 3 times in quick succession in the late 70`s/early 80`s.
I was a design engineer working in the contracting industry..thanks to the deep deep recession and overvalued pound in the very early 80s, work just dried up
I can empathise with most of what has been said above. IMO the MOST important thing of all is to maintain self esteem.
I was "out of work" though still managing to bring an income in(??) through various short term "temporary" jobs for over 2 years
The thing i found most difficult to deal with was the reaction to this of "friends" and family...many suddenly treated me like a leper.......the old saying" afiend in need...is very true. I got my own back on them when I got "back on the rails", when they suddenly wanted to become re-associated with me again....they got the metaphorical two-finger salute
In retrospect, that very difficult period was probably the best thing that ever happened.....interms of my ow personal development.....no gain without pain and all that
regards
laurie S
I was a design engineer working in the contracting industry..thanks to the deep deep recession and overvalued pound in the very early 80s, work just dried up
I can empathise with most of what has been said above. IMO the MOST important thing of all is to maintain self esteem.
I was "out of work" though still managing to bring an income in(??) through various short term "temporary" jobs for over 2 years
The thing i found most difficult to deal with was the reaction to this of "friends" and family...many suddenly treated me like a leper.......the old saying" afiend in need...is very true. I got my own back on them when I got "back on the rails", when they suddenly wanted to become re-associated with me again....they got the metaphorical two-finger salute
In retrospect, that very difficult period was probably the best thing that ever happened.....interms of my ow personal development.....no gain without pain and all that
regards
laurie S
Posted on: 10 May 2004 by HTK
I took redundancy in late 2002 having been taken over by a company which I didn't much care for. When it came my way I grabbed it with both hands. I had 11 years in so got a very generous pay off, even after tax (which happily doesn't apply to the whole payment).
I immediately went self employed, paid off a lot of debt and hit the phones and Email for two months. The work did start coming in and after nearly a year and a half of working for myself I've never been happier.
The accounts come and go. Some stay, and on average I'm earning enough. Plus job offers arrive from time to time - all politely refused. I don't discount the posibility of going back over the fence, but if you're lucky enough to get a good enough income as an indenendent, it's a much better life - just get a good accountant.
I know that redundancy can be a dark experience for some. I sympathise, and thank the universe every day for my good fortune.
If you're surviving through client work it's important to have an operating margin that will get you through say, the next 6-9 months in the event that all work stopped coming in tomorrow. Should such a disaster arrive I believe that long before you're down to the last of your reserves you should be actively seeking a paid job. In my case, anything would do so long as it was enough to live on. Downgrading or side stepping doesn't come into it and pride can go fuck itself. I'll do whatever I need to do and in time I'll get back to where I want to be. Fingers crossed - this does not look likely at present.
Good luck with it. Stay positive and don't think you'll be on the scrap heap if you can't get a job in two months. As has been said already, it's about self belief and good projection, based on your experience and qualifications.
Cheers
Harry
I immediately went self employed, paid off a lot of debt and hit the phones and Email for two months. The work did start coming in and after nearly a year and a half of working for myself I've never been happier.
The accounts come and go. Some stay, and on average I'm earning enough. Plus job offers arrive from time to time - all politely refused. I don't discount the posibility of going back over the fence, but if you're lucky enough to get a good enough income as an indenendent, it's a much better life - just get a good accountant.
I know that redundancy can be a dark experience for some. I sympathise, and thank the universe every day for my good fortune.
If you're surviving through client work it's important to have an operating margin that will get you through say, the next 6-9 months in the event that all work stopped coming in tomorrow. Should such a disaster arrive I believe that long before you're down to the last of your reserves you should be actively seeking a paid job. In my case, anything would do so long as it was enough to live on. Downgrading or side stepping doesn't come into it and pride can go fuck itself. I'll do whatever I need to do and in time I'll get back to where I want to be. Fingers crossed - this does not look likely at present.
Good luck with it. Stay positive and don't think you'll be on the scrap heap if you can't get a job in two months. As has been said already, it's about self belief and good projection, based on your experience and qualifications.
Cheers
Harry
Posted on: 12 May 2004 by Rana Ali
Thanks Kevin for starting this thread. Thanks also to Ian whos experiences are mirroring my own. I was made redundant this Feb after giving my company and client my all (18 hour days were not uncommon). 70 applications later and still nothing; apparently I am "overqualified" for those jobs I really wanted and chased hard for. My "killer CV", developed with Penna Consulting and approved by six peers, is now being downgraded. I am replacing the word "manager" with "engineer", and removing reference to my MBA gained 11 years ago after a hard slog. Each rejection takes its toll, and going to the job centre for the first time was a real wake-up call....but I am heartened by what all you guys are saying. On the plus side, I am seeing my toddler develop and getting time to hear more music and play with hi-fi
Thanks again
Rana
Thanks again
Rana
Posted on: 12 May 2004 by tartarus
Redundancy...
A cloud with a golden lining; when I first made redundant; it hit me a ton of bricks. This is normal course of events in many sectors for professionals.
Like Tom paid off a substantial chunk of mortgage, allowed me to: 1. Listen to music, 2. Relax, and 3. Buy another location abroad.
Oh and 4. Start my own pretty successful business...
All the best, have fun...
A cloud with a golden lining; when I first made redundant; it hit me a ton of bricks. This is normal course of events in many sectors for professionals.
Like Tom paid off a substantial chunk of mortgage, allowed me to: 1. Listen to music, 2. Relax, and 3. Buy another location abroad.
Oh and 4. Start my own pretty successful business...
All the best, have fun...
Posted on: 13 May 2004 by John Channing
Kevin,
You might find it useful to read "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Dr. Spencer Johnson.
John
You might find it useful to read "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Dr. Spencer Johnson.
John
Posted on: 13 May 2004 by Top Cat
Just out of interest, what are the current rules re: redundancy payments and taxation?
John
John
Posted on: 13 May 2004 by Rasher
When I was made redundant in the early 90's due to no money coming into the firm of Architects that I worked for, I sat at home for two days numbed and lost. I then went back into the office. I knew that as we came out of recession, the firm would find its feet again and eventually I would be paid, without having to look for another job elswhere which probably didn't exist anyway - feet already under the table and all that. I know that is not your situation, but sometimes you just need to think the options through thoroughly.
I dabbled with the idea of becoming self employed for ages and one day the window cleaner called to collect his money. He wanted £3.60. He had come to our house, set up the ladders and cleaned the windows, moved on to the next one and then come back another day to collect his £3.60. It finally dawned on me that if he can make a living dealing with such small amounts, I must surely be able to do it also. Just look at the people who are self employed and realise that it can't be that hard!
Just a thought. Don't whatever you do, lose confidence in your abilities.
I dabbled with the idea of becoming self employed for ages and one day the window cleaner called to collect his money. He wanted £3.60. He had come to our house, set up the ladders and cleaned the windows, moved on to the next one and then come back another day to collect his £3.60. It finally dawned on me that if he can make a living dealing with such small amounts, I must surely be able to do it also. Just look at the people who are self employed and realise that it can't be that hard!
Just a thought. Don't whatever you do, lose confidence in your abilities.
Posted on: 13 May 2004 by MichaelC
quote:
Originally posted by alexgerrard:
Mrs Alex was made redundant in March this year whilst on maternity leave. There will be no CDS3 chez Gerrard for quite some timeag
That sounds bang out of order - I trust that the employers carried out a thorough review of staffing, staffing requirements and followed all the procedures to the letter otherwise they could be wide open to a claim.
Mike
Posted on: 13 October 2004 by Rana Ali
This thread was very valuable to me, probably one of the most important ones on this forum.
ALL of the advice on this thread is spot on (more useful than the expensive "career management" course my ex-company paid for me to attend). John Channing's recommendation for the "Who moved my Cheese?" book was especially helpful. There is more to this book than you might initially think.
Well, after horrible 9 months (sounds like a pregnancy!) I've finally accepted a job offer. Unbelievably, I had 3 in the end, so I was in a position to choose the best one for me. There is light at the end of the redundancy tunnel, but you really have to dig that tunnel in the first place.
Thanks chaps, and thanks Naim.
Rana
ALL of the advice on this thread is spot on (more useful than the expensive "career management" course my ex-company paid for me to attend). John Channing's recommendation for the "Who moved my Cheese?" book was especially helpful. There is more to this book than you might initially think.
Well, after horrible 9 months (sounds like a pregnancy!) I've finally accepted a job offer. Unbelievably, I had 3 in the end, so I was in a position to choose the best one for me. There is light at the end of the redundancy tunnel, but you really have to dig that tunnel in the first place.
Thanks chaps, and thanks Naim.
Rana
Posted on: 13 October 2004 by Kevin-W
Rana
I agree with you 100%, this was an excellent and very heartening thread.
I still don't have a job, but I am freelancing and rather enjoying it. It was a terrible struggle at first but the work is starting to come in more regularly and hopefully by the end of the year I'll be earning enough to have a bit of spare cash.
The great thing about being a freelance is that people really appreciate your efforts and thank you for getting decently-written copy in on time - in other words, you don't get taken for granted as you often do working for someone else.
However, getting people to pay you on time is a fucking nightmare - I've had to go cap in hand to friends a number of ttimes because my cashfllow is so terrible!
Kevin (BBC Radio 4: The Today Programme)
I agree with you 100%, this was an excellent and very heartening thread.
I still don't have a job, but I am freelancing and rather enjoying it. It was a terrible struggle at first but the work is starting to come in more regularly and hopefully by the end of the year I'll be earning enough to have a bit of spare cash.
The great thing about being a freelance is that people really appreciate your efforts and thank you for getting decently-written copy in on time - in other words, you don't get taken for granted as you often do working for someone else.
However, getting people to pay you on time is a fucking nightmare - I've had to go cap in hand to friends a number of ttimes because my cashfllow is so terrible!
Kevin (BBC Radio 4: The Today Programme)
Posted on: 14 October 2004 by Minky
I was made redundant in August. I was about to send a lengthy post on the joys of life after the servitude of full-time employment, but then I realised that it's not really that type of thread. So I won't.
Posted on: 14 October 2004 by The mole man
I was made redundant last July from my job as an office manager and had four months of unemployment. Today I work as a freelance in the same sector and earn slightly more than I did for a lot less responsibility. It was nice to have the grander job title and status of my old job but on balance I think I prefer my new position. The main thing is to watch the cash like a hawk (I didn't), otherwise you could find yourself running out of money. Use the time to think about your life, career and what you want from both. (Hope that last sentence isn't too pyschotherapeutic for the naim forum!)
Good luck.
Mole Man
Good luck.
Mole Man