Redundancy - What Now?

Published: June 2002 - www.netcheck.co.nz 

So you have recently been made redundant, or you see the strong likelihood of redundancy looming ahead. What do you do? Where do you go to find help?

This is a question facing many of us especially in the IT arena. No matter what your skill set and experience, redundancy can be totally non-selective.

We have recently placed an IT Manager with an organisation in the Finance and Investment market where he is now successfully managing a team of seven developers. Although not totally technically challenged as yet, his experience is invaluable in moving this company's IT systems forward. He was without employment for a number of months having been made redundant from a large quasi-government organisation in Wellington.

When I met with him initially as a candidate - he had been searching for a role for six months. Deciding the market in Wellington was less likely to provide him with employment than Auckland, he had recently relocated. His family was to follow once he had found employment. His confidence was extremely low. Although he had excellent skills his belief that he would ever have the opportunity to utilise them again was very real. He had faced rejection after rejection from employment agencies and prospective employers - reasons varied from over qualified to lack of specialised skills or particular industry experience. Although his partner worked, her contribution had been a small percent of their income. They lived carefully, but financial concerns were adding to the situation.

His total flexibility and attitude were the factors that enabled him to obtain his new role of IT Manager. Our candidate's advice to people out there who have recently been made redundant:

• “Don't panic. Spend some time taking stock of your situation. Don't start applying for every IT role out there in a fit of desperation.
• It may be helpful to talk to someone who is well qualified in outplacement counselling who can help you reaffirm your future direction. This may be a golden opportunity to steer your career in a slightly different direction.
• Put your resume together with careful thought - ensure it is a document that sells you as you wish to portray yourself. You may not get a second opportunity if your CV lets you down.
• Make a list of the organisations or types of organisations you think you would enjoy working for.
• Establish a rapport with several employment consultancies that recruit in the market that attracts you.
• Network with colleagues and industry contacts as much as possible. Let them know you are in the market."

Job hunting can be a very time consuming activity and needs to be approached in a methodical and business like manner. Set aside a set time each day to deal with emails, going through the Situations Vacant, Internet vacancies, and keeping up with what is happening in the market through IT publications. Keep a list of the people you contact, and any referrals they make, and note follow up times to call them back. Send them a thank you letter.

For those in jobs that may be at risk - whether your job may seem at risk or not, everyone benefits by further education, and there are professional associations where membership can be extremely beneficial to those looking to pursue qualifications in their particular career path.

Good Luck!