Taken redundancy, now lost and a bit down... any experience?

[morninginging]

I took voluntary redundancy at the end of last year.

I thought long and hard and posted on here about it. Don't necessarily regret it but am now a bit lost.

I'd thought I'd have a short break and three go into contract or freelance. Well that's easier said than done. How do I find the work?! Interviewed for one freelance job and didn't get it, not really seen any others.

As I'm starting to panic a bit I've also applied for some permanent roles, had one interview and didn't get that.

There's lots I could write here about my specific situation, but just really wondered if anyone had done the same... and could they tell me happy stories!

I'm not about to run out of money (but will do this year!), but I'd wanted to be bringing money in by now. I'm torn between applying for everything possible just to get an income or try to have faith in something perfect coming up.

Im in a specific, growing field, but sort of didn't really think through that in my 50s, there's twenty years worth of keen, younger people also in the field that are applying for the same roles. I'm not sure it's agism per se, but I'd miscalculated the competition I think... in my head I'm still the 30 year old that had a specific knowledge that was quite a catch... now there's millions more of me!!!

Any positive stories.... and how long do you think is acceptable to not be working on my CV.

Are there any online courses you could take while you're applying for jobs?

So has it been 3/4/5 months since you were made redundant? I would say get in touch with agencies and business contacts to make it clear you are interested in some contract work. Getting something soonish would look better.

Echo advice to go check any courses you could do.

I think saying you’ve had a career break is totally legit, try to come up with something in case people ask what you did in it (eg travel - book a holiday quick).

Would your old employer want you back for freelance work? That’s the easiest way.

What line of work are you in?

Are you on LinkedIn? If not, get yourself on there ASAP. Also, start talking to as many people as possible (i.e. recruiters, agencies, etc.).

Can you pick up some part-time work locally to keep the pennies rolling in? Doesn't really matter what; bar work, stacking shelves, etc. I understand it's not what you would want to do long term but it's very helpful for the grey matter to be engaged in something and speaking to people on a regular basis. Sitting at home stewing that you can't find a job tends to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Annoyingly, it does get much harder to find work as you head into your 40s and 50s. Employers seem to want keen and pliable 20 and 30 somethings rather than older people (specifically women). God forbid you might mention that you might want to progress in a role and they look as if they can't believe their ears.

I was made redundant at the end of September last year and started a new job 3 weeks ago.

You need to get on it in terms of marketing yourself for a job. Don't just wait for them to be advertised. Update your LinkedIn (it can be printed off as a CV and agencies scan it fir candidates so make sure it has all the right keywords for your industry and skills) and think about signing up for premium and job alerts. Get in touch with all your previous contacts and send them your CV - explain what you're looking for and what you have to offer. Sign up with any agencies in your sector - I looked into interim in my field. Set aside 2 mornings a week to scan jobs boards, adverts, agencies or headhunters and emailing networks, are there sector events that it round be good to go up to extend your networks and get known.

Sorry if this is not relevant to your line if work but put getting a job on the same footing as if you were working hard on a work project. Good luck.

By the way I'm 57 and I get the age thing. It's real. But I did get a serious job.

I did it late 40s after compulsary redundancy.

Job hunting is a full time job in itself, I had 8 interviews and 4 second interviews before I got a job. Even then it was a short term contract backfill for 6 months in a smaller role, but in an industry I wanted experience in. Extended to 9 months then an internal vacancy came up when I was 50 and I was asked to apply for.

Think about being flexible to get into the right company to get access to internal vacancies. You can still apply for other jobs while there.

@Anoooshka

Are there any online courses you could take while you're applying for jobs?

I am thinking of retraining. I'm very qualified and experienced in my own area, but feel like a change. Probably a silly time of life to do this though! But yes, I wonder if some additional professional training might help.

@MargosKaftan

So has it been 3/4/5 months since you were made redundant? I would say get in touch with agencies and business contacts to make it clear you are interested in some contract work. Getting something soonish would look better.

Echo advice to go check any courses you could do.

Almost 4 months. To be fair I'm going be saying that I am renovating my house in a career break (true) to sell it later this year. So I'm hoping I can be honest and say I took VR, wanted a short career break and then am looking for work. I am slightly panicking about the lack of income. I haven't been able to enjoy a "break" as it's in the back of my mind all the time. I've secured two interviews. One was awful and one went quite well and feedback was I was a contender. So trying not to get too freaked out.

@BowerOfBramble

I think saying you’ve had a career break is totally legit, try to come up with something in case people ask what you did in it (eg travel - book a holiday quick).

Would your old employer want you back for freelance work? That’s the easiest way.

No to old employer as they have rules against it.

I'm going to say I'm renovating my property so hope that's ok for employers!

@Fairyarmpits

What line of work are you in?

Are you on LinkedIn? If not, get yourself on there ASAP. Also, start talking to as many people as possible (i.e. recruiters, agencies, etc.).

Can you pick up some part-time work locally to keep the pennies rolling in? Doesn't really matter what; bar work, stacking shelves, etc. I understand it's not what you would want to do long term but it's very helpful for the grey matter to be engaged in something and speaking to people on a regular basis. Sitting at home stewing that you can't find a job tends to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Annoyingly, it does get much harder to find work as you head into your 40s and 50s. Employers seem to want keen and pliable 20 and 30 somethings rather than older people (specifically women). God forbid you might mention that you might want to progress in a role and they look as if they can't believe their ears.

Don't want out myself on here but it's been in public (ish) sector and specialised... think equalities or mental health (ish).

I'm on LinkedIn now and up to date, searching for lots of roles but not quite finding the right roles. I might do some training whilst I look. I'm hoping this break doesn't go against me. I'm just being honest!

@Seemssounfair

I did it late 40s after compulsary redundancy.

Job hunting is a full time job in itself, I had 8 interviews and 4 second interviews before I got a job. Even then it was a short term contract backfill for 6 months in a smaller role, but in an industry I wanted experience in. Extended to 9 months then an internal vacancy came up when I was 50 and I was asked to apply for.

Think about being flexible to get into the right company to get access to internal vacancies. You can still apply for other jobs while there.

Yes good advice and well done. I'm already applying for jobs on less money than I was on. At times wondering if I have done the right thing.

I took redundancy and took some time out for family reasons.

When I tried to find work after a few years I found there was a lot of ageism. It was definitely a factor in not getting interviews as I had years of experience and excellent references.

It was also hard to explain the period of unemployment and my references were becoming out of date. I did manage to get some work through agencies. I would say do any work you can during this period, even if it’s temporary and not really what you want to do.

@Bouledeneige

I was made redundant at the end of September last year and started a new job 3 weeks ago.

You need to get on it in terms of marketing yourself for a job. Don't just wait for them to be advertised. Update your LinkedIn (it can be printed off as a CV and agencies scan it fir candidates so make sure it has all the right keywords for your industry and skills) and think about signing up for premium and job alerts. Get in touch with all your previous contacts and send them your CV - explain what you're looking for and what you have to offer. Sign up with any agencies in your sector - I looked into interim in my field. Set aside 2 mornings a week to scan jobs boards, adverts, agencies or headhunters and emailing networks, are there sector events that it round be good to go up to extend your networks and get known.

Sorry if this is not relevant to your line if work but put getting a job on the same footing as if you were working hard on a work project. Good luck.

Gosh. But well done. I had factored in a 3 month break. Wanted it. But now coming up to 3 months I realise it could start to look poor on my CV.

Glad you got there. Gives me confidence.

I wouldn't worry about a 3 month break on your CV. No one worried about it when I was going for jobs. I started applying before I left my job and got down to the last two for two previous roles. They were a lot of effort and it was disappointing when I failed to get them. I'd recently moved house and have 10 more years of mortgage so it was a big pressure. I was feeling up against it as I knew I'd run out of money by June. I also noticed my friends stopped asking how it was going as they didn't want to rub it in.

So if you look at it I was out of work for 5 months. You just have to keep putting the effort in and keeping your spirits up.

Good luck. You can do it.

@Bouledeneige

I wouldn't worry about a 3 month break on your CV. No one worried about it when I was going for jobs. I started applying before I left my job and got down to the last two for two previous roles. They were a lot of effort and it was disappointing when I failed to get them. I'd recently moved house and have 10 more years of mortgage so it was a big pressure. I was feeling up against it as I knew I'd run out of money by June. I also noticed my friends stopped asking how it was going as they didn't want to rub it in.

So if you look at it I was out of work for 5 months. You just have to keep putting the effort in and keeping your spirits up.

Good luck. You can do it.

That's good to know. I suppose I don't expect to get the first job I applied for but it always feels such a knockback. Im trying to stay upbeat!

I took VR from a role in 2014 as I wanted to change industry. Had 4 months off, loved it as I did loads of stuff to the house etc, but spent a LOT of time every week applying for jobs in the new sector, networking etc. I got to the point where I was worrying about money (hadn't really budgeted and been frugal) and it was looking like I'd have to take a lower paid role but magically I got offered a contract role by a friend of a friend which I did for a year. Still jobhunted in the new industry and landed a role then.

So the key is consistency and resilience. And put yourself about as pp have said - definitely LinkedIn (I still get contacted on there about roles even though I'm no longer looking), courses, sector events etc. amazing how many roles come about through networking. You'll get there - good luck