The recent news that the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds are to shed another 2,000 jobs is the latest in a long line of reports of financial services job redundancies in these uncertain economic times. It is not just the financial services sector that is affected by redundancies, however: with 8.4% of the UK population out of work, being made redundant is something a lot of people have experienced. All is not lost, however.
Losing a job is tough, there is no doubt about that, especially when you personally were not to blame for the company’s problems. Redundancy can have a severe psychological impact; a tendency to depression and anger is common but ultimately self-defeating. The best proven route back to employment is to remain positive and maintain focus.
No amount of gloss can hide the fact that for most people redundancy is a blow, so if at all possible, take a short holiday after you leave your position to recharge the batteries and prepare yourself mentally for the job search ahead. It is amazing how a bit of quality R&R can rebuild confidence and wellbeing.
However after the break, it is time to get back on the horse so treat a job search as you would a job itself by getting organised and drawing up a strategy. Visiting a specialist recruitment area in your career field is always a good first move. A discussion with a recruitment professional with experience and knowledge of your industry will give you a better idea of what is out there and identify some steps to take. It is quite likely that they will already know of suitable positions available and can begin arranging interviews.
A recruitment specialist can also help with a review of your CV and help you ensure it is up-to-date and formatted according to company preferences. We also advise that you keep well-informed of developments within your field so that you are able to speak knowledgeably about current industry trends when you are called for interview.
