.. to ask what did anyone do after they were made redundant?

[gentlydoesit89]

Got handed the dreaded redundancy notice last week, been in a daze and now want to get things sorted and stop drifting along feeling sorry for myself.
12 years service so a fairly decent payout, but this company is all I've ever known.

What did anyone do next when it happened to them? Find a job in the same field? Go a completely different direction? Take time out? There's too many decisions to make!! Any practical advice would also be great as my head is fried!

FWIW I'm a single mum and could comfortably live on the money until the end of the Jan next year...

I took some time off then changed fields completely - quite random, I just saw a job advert and thought "I could do that". Less money but much better life balance and work from home. Definitely much happier now.

The first time I took time off to travel. The second time I went freelance and still am.

New to mumsnet just today.
Made redundant from a professional role last Nov. Complete shock not dealing with it well. Anxiety/panic. Funds running out to pay Mortgage etc.
Every job wants references, one has asked for 4!
Can anyone advise please.
Worried to approach HR for reference as I have a case going on for unfair dismissal. ACAS are dealing with early conciliation but have come back with an "offer" that's made me sick to my stomach.
If I apply for a reference at this stage could it be flagged up and affect any details on the reference or indeed affect any offer if I reject the one on the table right now.
Need a job urgently but also need to try and get an increased offer but waiting for advice from Lawyers and time ruunning out.
Cant bear the house to be repossesed after 25yr of struggle. Only 6yr left on Mortgage. House up for sale now but may run out of time.
Feedback if anyone can would be much appreciated please.

Happened to DH. He managed to secure a better role and we used the pay off to move to a nicer house. It was also a lovely month having him home before he started his new job.

Joined agencies. Now do same job for more money in less hours. And for nicer people.

Yes, no job security - but I don't think I'll choose to have a permanent job again. I get too attached, start caring about stuff I prob can't change, you are stuck with people who irritate you. This way I'm just focussed on the stuff about the job I really enjoy.

The payout has paid for a lovely kitchen.

References - go to an agency. They don't give a shit about references as long as you have some. I had one agreed from work but I used two mates instead. Job done.

I did one agency job where I hated them and they hated me. They clearly weren't going to renew my contract and I wouldn't have wanted to stay anyway. So I found someone who would give me a reference and left. Hilariously on the last day, they told me they were sacking me - I said, err, I don't think so, I've given you notice. Yes, they were that bad.

Despite advice not to do this, I went straight into another job in the same field. It was a complete panic decision as I was in a niche market. Being 52 I thought a new job would be hard to find.

If it happened now I would take the advice given to me to look as where I had skills shortages. I wish now I had done some courses, which would have made me more employable. I hated the new job and left after 2. Years of hell.

DH retrained as an ACA accountant (was a banker) in a local firm. Qualified just before age 50.

Worked as an accountant for a good number of years. It was difficult doing the exams with teenage kids around but he made it.

Very good for them to see their D studying, passing, and sometimes failing, exams.

Yep, my first job was the shit one. My saviour was that I had my appraisal and my appraiser just said 'but you are freelance now. You don't have to stay if it's horrible. It's not like being employed' - and the penny dropped - I was gone in 2 weeks to another job.

It was hard to change habits after having previously been in the same job for 10+ years and put up with all sorts of bullying and just thought that was normal for the workplace.

I was made redundant with immediate effect, (company buy out, sales related field non compete clause in contact etc), got straight onto a temp agency and temped in an admin role while I was looking, completely changed fields and got a job within a month but DBS and other vetting took another 8 weeks so I carried on temping over the summer, it was lovely having a job you just go into, do and walk away at five o'clock, no ongoing responsibilities, completely stress free summer! Banked most of the money -not a huge amount I'd only been there 5 years

Thank you everyone. What I dont seem to have is the IT skills required for a office job? Filing/Admin would suit. Although I used bank system all day every day its based on customer account details. Never needed to use Excel/office/word so although I can use keyboard and type well its of no use. Would also love to work in Care in the Community but not personal care, more Befriending/Companion/Helper. Financial Services is my background over 30yr but seem completely unemployable. Cant even secure a part time cleaning job, and I'm brilliant at that too!

I was made redundant in September 2013, took a month break before I started looking and got an ongoing zero hours temp job in the November which lasted till May 2014 then I got the job I'm in now

It's happened to me four times (and no big pay outs, as I worked in the charity sector).

Three times I got another job in the same field (I did have to move to London to get the right sort of job), fourth time I went into consultancy which suited me a lot better and was able to look after my ill husband.

It's really not the end of the world...deep breath, review what you want and move on. Good luck!

I was made redundant at 3 months pregnant (company went under so no unfair dismisal issues). I tempted in 3 different places until maternity leave. If you've been in the same job for many years tempting might be good experience to see other businesses and work environments. Might also help you decide if you want to take this opportunity to change your career direction. ....

My OH was made redundant last year he is nearing retirement had another two years to go , due to his contract with the uni he got a good payout and was able to drawdown on his very good pension, so we bought a small house cash buyers as we were in rented its a doer upper so the house is keeping him busy he loves being retired a bit early