Redundancy Can Be A Good Thing

I'll bet that title caught your attention. But hang on - is it a contradiction in terms? Redundancy is painful, no matter whether the person being laid off has been expecting it or not. Yet with the right frame of mind and a positive approach to life, redundancy can indeed be a good thing, even though it may seem like the end of the world at first.

The way this situation affects you depends largely on the type of person you are. The pessimist will assume that the reason for dismissal rests solely with their own supposed lack of skills. They may think that everybody else is able to complete the same work in less time and with better results. However, the reasons for dismissal may be far more fundamental, due not least to the economic climate, for example. In this frame of mind, the pessimist will see the challenge of rebuilding their life and career too great to take on.

In contrast, the optimist sees redundancy as a turning point, a chance to change their life for the better. They take stock of the situation and determine to get the best out of it, often striking out in a completely new direction.

Even if you recognise yourself as a pessimist, you can change the way you think and react to a situation like this by learning to adopt the right approach.

So how can this be done? Firstly, it is essential to face the reality that being made redundant is not necessarily your own fault. At such a crucial time in your life, it is vital not to degenerate into a reflective and ‘moody' phase. Reminiscing about the past is one thing, but poring over what you might have done or not done to lose your job is quite another, and should be avoided at all costs.

The positive approach is to take a long, hard look at your life, in order to decide on your next move. This is the time for some soul searching questions, so be honest with yourself and think about the following:

Were you happy in your job before being made redundant?

Have you ever thought of doing more than just dreaming about being your own boss?

Have you ever seriously considered a complete change of career?

By answering these questions truthfully, you will be able to determine whether or not a complete change of direction would be the most beneficial route to take.

If you answer ‘yes' to one or more of these questions, it is highly likely that you had become static in your work, finding it easier to stay put than risk attempting to change careers.

In this way, you will be able to assess your future with confidence, striking out in the right direction for you. If you can honestly say you enjoyed your work, then you can narrow down your job search to the same or similar areas. Armed with a well prepared CV listing your skills and experience, you can approach the task of job hunting with new confidence. Showing enthusiasm to continue your career despite being made redundant makes for a positive and impressive image.

If you do find that a total change of direction is called for, then there are a number of options open to you. Seeking an alternative career in employment is the obvious opportunity and in this case you will need to consider which careers appeal to you. Gather some background information on each opportunity and make sure you are up to date with a company's movements if you are invited to an interview. Doing your homework beforehand can swing the decision in your favour.

Alternatively, you may decide to set up in business on your own. Most of us dream about being our own boss at some stage in our lives, but giving up ‘safe' employment to strike out on our own is a big step to take. Redundancy puts us in a position to consider self-employment as a viable option.

Any money you receive as a result of redundancy can be put to good use if you decide to take this route. It is vital not to rush into self employment though. Being on the rebound from redundancy can make running your own business sound heavenly, yet there is much planning and work involved and your own business ideas need to be thought out carefully before you take the plunge.

Whatever direction you decide to take, you should aim to remain positive and optimistic. View redundancy as a golden opportunity to take stock of your life and see where you can change it for the better. Redundancy can indeed be a good thing - if you handle it the right way.