Feeling down after being made redundant

[daisyintheclouds]

I was made redundant a couple of weeks ago, and I'm finding it really hard to adapt to the situation. This morning I woke up at 4am in tears.

I had been in employment for a solid 15 years since leaving uni so I know nothing apart from working during the week. And I'm naturally the sort of person who is very busy and has lots to do so I'm finding it hard to fill my day.

The first few days I was OK as I had an interview presentation to prepare for but yesterday I heard that I came second. I seem to find it fairly easy to get interviews although TBH jobs in my field don't come up that often. But this one I particularly wanted as it would have been a dream job for me so I'm feeling very disappointed.

I'm finding being made redundant has been a shock for me. I wasn't initially worried as I'm very experienced in my field and thought that finding a new job would be fairly straightforward. However, the longer this goes on the more stressed I'm getting. Money wise my redundancy money will last until at least September so at least I'm OK on that front for now.

I'm not sure what I'm asking exactly. Just wondered if anyone had some tips for managing this situation as I'd like to try and enjoy this enforced time off if I can.

I was made redundant after 24 years with the same company. After the first couple of weeks which felt like a holiday, it started sinking in. I was very concerned my experience was very industry and application specific, my age (well into my 40's) and how I would find another job.

I spent a lot of time looking for companies/jobs that might fit (I used online resources for lists of companies in commutable distance - National Library of Scotland was useful) and wrote prospective applications to them/or put myself on their online database. Used contacts on Linked-In to see if anyone worked at, or knew someone who worked at companies I was interested in for any inside info. I also considered looking outside my industry and investigating FMCG as there are a few larger employers in a commutable distance.

Found a (very poorly paid), 6 month fixed term role (to backfill someone who was seconded to a project), in a FMCG company and applied as it would give me an insight to the industry (in the supply chain). Got it, it was bloody hard work as although in same rough area was very different to anything I've done before. The fixed term was extended to 9 months as the project ran over, then an internal vacancy came up in an IT business role, very different from what I have done before, I applied and got it with a more realistic salary (being inhouse already with some experience and recommended helped). Been here 6 years now and moved roles 3 times.

Try to also think about the transferable skills you have to move to another industry/role to give yourself more options if yours is very niche. You can still look at your field as well, but you need a plan B. September is not far away.

From a wellbeing side, I made sure I got up early, attacked job hunting as a project spending at least 3-4 hours on it most weekdays. In between I spent a lot of time walking/cleaning/decorating/gardening to keep moving, get fitter and feel as though I was doing something with my days.

It was over much quicker than I expected (6 weeks).

Thank you Broken Wing. I really appreciate hearing your perspective. It sounds like you've been on quite a journey since your redundancy. It's good to hear that you came through the other side in only 6 weeks and have done really well since.

I am concerned that I've spent too long in a niche role / same company and it will hold me back - I've already had some feedback from recruitment agencies to that extent. However I have secured a maternity cover interview with a public body for next week, so hopefully all is not lost.

I've had some outplacement support and my coach suggested similarly that I should set aside 3-4 hours a day for job hunting and the rest on some 'me' time to allow me to process the experience I'm going through. So I'm quite busy now in the morning but it gets to lunch and I start getting itchy feet. So I've been on two walks this afternoon as it's nice and sunny as well as pottered in the garden. I like company but all of my friends are at work as is my partner, and I don't have children.