04/12/2013
Sometimes, redundancies occur in a swift and unexpected manner. At other times, you may know that a wave of redundancies is on its way, but you don’t know if you will be directly affected. Irrespective, it can be an anxious time. It can be particularly difficult to deal with the feeling of a loss of control, which can impact you in so many ways. Some of these may be predictable; while others may not.
At times, it can be hard to see the positive side of things if you feel like you’re taking a battering. But remember, this can be a time for renewal. Being retrenched provides the opportunity to reflect and assess your career. It can allow you to really seriously consider your next career step; to take control, and to be the one who decides where your future will take you. Consider this – choices not chances!
ensure you focus on finding the right job for you
Your ‘work-self’ is multi-dimensional. You have skills, values, strengths, areas for development, preferences, and career aspirations. Now is the time to examine all of these dimensions, and to shine a light on the fit (or potential misalignment) of your natural preferences to your previously chosen roles and/or profession. In doing so, you may decide to reinvent your career; to take a different course. Or you may reach the conclusion that you have been working in the right area, and choose to continue along a similar pathway.
Once your ideal position type and profession are identified, you will be in a much stronger position to enter the job market. Clarity of thought and the ability to articulate your skills, strengths, style and aspirations make for a much more successful recruitment process. Furthermore, your renewed, future orientated positive frame of mind is likely to dazzle potential employers.
be the one who decides where your future will take you
Some may argue that the recruitment process is one over which you have little control, and that even when you do find your next role there is a chance of being retrenched, particularly in a shaky market. As a counter, rather than focusing on the issues in the employment market, ensure you focus on finding the right job for you. Having an external locus of control can be self limiting, and undermine your efforts to move on. Instead of being bothered by the things that you can’t control, you could rediscover your equilibrium here. As the see-saw rights itself you may be able to more clearly identify what you can and can’t control, and know how to deal with it.
Take control, and grab this time with both hands. This is a critical step for moving forward. It’s your life and your career – you deserve this time of self reflection to propel yourself forward again.