Questions to ask yourself after being made redundant
Being made redundant is no one’s idea of a fun time and unfortunately, it can happen to anyone – COVID certainly showed us that, as businesses made redundancies across the board to stay afloat.
If you have been made redundant, it can feel like a kick to the stomach, especially if you didn’t see it coming. You might also have feelings of shame, embarrassment and disappointment – all completely normal, as awful as they may feel.
You may be tempted to jump straight back into the job hunt and find something new, but before you do, take a little time to ask yourself these questions and reflect on where you want to take your career.
What are my strengths and weaknesses?
Think about what you’re good at – and not so good at, what you excel at and how you can best highlight them in your resume/portfolio or what you can do to improve. Also start thinking about where these skills are needed – are they only in your current industry or could you look elsewhere for a bit of a change?
What did I like (and not like) about my old job?
This is a really good opportunity to put together a pros and cons list of your previous job and see where you sit at the end of it. Don’t just think about the job and the work you did, but also about the workplace itself – the actual place and people you work with can make a massive difference when it comes to job longevity and enjoyment. Your pros and cons list could be really telling.
Was I happy?
Go beyond what you liked and didn’t like, and think about your happiness and wellbeing. Did you dread getting up and heading to work every day or were you generally excited about the prospect of doing your job? Jobs can add purpose, meaning and increase happiness, but at the same time can also lead to burnout, poor mental health and unhappiness. Knowing what makes you happy will help decide what types of workplaces are right for you.
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Is it time to switch careers?
You may no longer love what you do – and that’s okay! Or maybe, much like journalism, job opportunities have dwindled greatly and it’s really difficult to find a role in your field. Or perhaps it’s just time for a new challenge and it’s time to try something different. Thinking about your strengths and passions is really helpful here – it’ll help you identify skills that you can potentially transfer into a new career.
What areas do I need to improve or upskill in?
Whether you need to keep up with what’s happening in your industry or you need to learn a new skill to transfer into a new career, thinking about where you can grow and learn is vital. Even if you don’t get a new role straight away, doing a course or two while job hunting shows your future employers that you take initiative and that you’re committed to the work and industry. You may also come away with some great content for your portfolio!
Would I benefit from some time off to travel / be with family / reassess my life / get over burnout before looking for a new role?
Being out of work can be really scary and stressful for some people – for many, work is part of their identity and how they present themselves to the world. The thought of taking even more time away from work can feel wrong, but if you’re able to – and we know not everyone is in the financial position to be out of work for a while – it can be really beneficial. You can travel, relax and rejuvenate, enjoy life, raise your kids or do whatever makes you happy before feeling ready to be back in the workforce.
via GIPHY
Are you a creative who has been made redundant and are ready to get back into the workforce? We’re here to help. Get in touch today – hello@creativenatives.com.au.