Build your confidence and get work after redundancy

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic many people are out of work. Losing your job can feel like losing your identity, but with resilience, hard work and support you can cope with such a big change.

Building your confidence and searching for new work straight away will increase your chances of returning to work after redundancy.

If you’re dealing with redundancy, it's important to try to stay positive and look after your mental health. Get support and advice from friends and family, and use online services.

• Depression website - help with depression and anxiety
• Mental Health Foundation website
• Youthline website

If you actively search for work, you will feel in control and feel better.

Now might not be the time to wait for the job that perfectly matches your skills or experience. A temporary or part-time job will help you keep your motivation going, make contacts and get new referees. Employers will see it as a willingness to adapt to change and work.

Make sure you:

• refresh your CV
• use online social or business networking for support and possible jobs
• contact recruiters, former colleagues and employers directly about job opportunities.

• Job hunting
• Job hunters' ebook
• Beginner's guide to job hunting ebook

Taking action and exploring your options will make you more likely to return to work.

A different work option might be right for you. You could:

• consider a career change – you could find a better job than the one you had
• get career counselling
• look at how you can transfer your skills to a different industry
• do some training or courses to upskill
• contact recruiters, former colleagues, and employers directly about job opportunities
• start your own business.

• Do you need to change your career?

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Sources

• Fowler, D, 'Unemployment During Coronavirus: The Psychology of Job Loss', 29 March 2020, (www.bbc.com)
• Garrett, M, 'Coping with Coronavirus Stress and Anxiety: Covid-19 in New Zealand', 28 March 2020, (www.drgarrettpsychology.co.nz).
• Wynn, K, 'Covid 19 Coronavirus: Dealing with Job Loss? Top Tips from Experts to Cushion the Fall', 7 April 2020, (www.nzherald.co.nz).