I’ve been through the redundancy process three times, in different organisations and at very different points in my career. Each time there was a different outcome but the themes were the same. In this blog I explore why the advice we’re given should change, and what we should focus on instead.
Redundancy is one of the most challenging professional setbacks a person can experience. It shakes your confidence, disrupts your routine, and leaves you questioning your worth. Yet everyone from senior leaders to well-meaning friends, family, and colleagues often try to console you with the words, “Don’t take it personally.”
But let’s be honest, being made redundant does feel personal. You’ve invested time, energy, and commitment into your role. You’ve worked hard to carve out your career and make it work for you alongside everything else in your life (caring responsibilities, life admin, friends and hobbies). Now you’re being told your position is no longer needed and not only that but the delicate work-life balance you have created is at risk (as well as that next holiday / new car / retirement plan). It feels like everything you’ve worked so hard for is under threat. It’s scary, and being asked to brush it off as if it were nothing doesn’t help; in fact, it can make you feel even more isolated and powerless in your frustration.
The more you think about it, the worse the phrase “Don’t take it personally” is. It’s really hard not to take it personally, we’ve covered that. And it’s not positive or action-oriented. It starts with “don’t” – anything that starts with a negative is harder for our brains to process and almost always ends up with us focussing on the opposite (remember telling your kids “Don’t touch that”?!). It doesn’t give you any actionable advice that will help you move forward, rather it keeps you rooted in the past. So, instead of focusing on not taking it personally, here’s a far more empowering piece of advice:
Find somewhere that values you.
Why is this advice better? Because it’s future-facing, action-oriented. A very real danger when you’ve just been made redundant is that you can fall into a torpor of reflection and blame, but too much dwelling on the past can keep you very stuck and make it hard to generate the energy for a return to the job market, applications and interviews.The word Find reminds you that you have to take action if you are going to secure a new role. It won’t just fall into your lap so get out there and search. This advice also reminds you that you do have value and that there are lots of other organisations out there where you will be appreciated. This advice helps you make the mindset shift from passive reflection on the past into positive action for your future. The right mindset can transform how you feel about what is happening.
Four Easy Mindset Shifts for Coping with Redundancy
While redundancy can be emotionally challenging, it can also be an opportunity for growth and redirection. Here’s how you can shift your mindset and take control of your emotions and actions:
1. Acknowledge Your Feelings
It’s natural to feel a mix of emotions – anger, disappointment, fear, or even relief. Suppressing these emotions won’t help. Instead, allow yourself time to process them, but set a limit on how long you’ll dwell. Accepting your feelings is the first step in moving forward with clarity.
2. Reframe Redundancy as a New Beginning
Some of the most successful professionals have faced redundancy at some point in their careers. Many have even used it as a catalyst to land a more fulfilling role or pursue an entirely new path. Instead of seeing this as an end, view it as an opportunity to reassess what you truly want from your career.
3. Review Your Skills, Accomplishments and Experience
When you are made redundant it can be easy to start questioning your own value. Instead, take the time to review the work you’ve done in the last few years. Dig out the emails with positive feedback and read them. Make a list of your job responsibilities, any stand-out achievements, and any training you’ve completed. You’ll be starting worthwhile prep for an update of your CV and reminding yourself of your true value.
4. Define What You’re Looking For in Your Next Role
Now is the time to focus on finding an organization that aligns with your values, appreciates your expertise, and offers the opportunities you deserve. Make a list of what’s important to you – whether it’s career growth, work-life balance, company culture, or leadership style. What are your non-negotiables – the things you definitely want AND definitely don’t want.
How a Coach Can Help You Move Forward Faster
While it’s possible to navigate redundancy on your own, working with a coach can significantly accelerate your progress and help you transition more effectively. Here’s how:
1. Clarity & Direction
A coach helps you define your goals and create a strategic action plan to move forward confidently, ensuring you don’t waste time feeling stuck or uncertain.
2. Rebuilding Confidence
Being made redundant can shake your self-esteem. A coach works with you to rebuild your confidence, highlight your strengths, and shake off any limiting beliefs that will hold you back from applying for new roles. This will help you position yourself as a strong candidate in the job market.
3. Strategies & Resources
The job market has changed, and so have the strategies for securing your next role. A coach can help you refine your CV, optimize your LinkedIn profile, and prepare for interviews, ensuring you present yourself in the best possible light. They can guide you in recognising the resources you already have in yourself and your network that will help you navigate this uncertain time.
4. Accountability & Support
When faced with redundancy, it’s easy to procrastinate or become overwhelmed. A coach provides accountability, encouragement, and a structured approach to keep you moving forward.
Moving Forward: Your Next Steps
If you’ve recently been made redundant, remember that this doesn’t define you—it’s simply a chapter in your career journey. Instead of dwelling on the loss, focus on what’s next.
If you’re feeling uncertain about where to start, working with a coach can make the process smoother, faster, and more successful. I’ll help you regain your confidence, refine your career direction, and land the opportunity you truly deserve.
So, rather than struggling through redundancy alone, book yourself a Discovery call to secure yourself a coaching partnership with me and we’ll start the journey to “Find an organisation that values you”
