Would you mention redundancy in an interview?

[PureBlackVoid]

If the question ‘why are you applying for this role’ or similar comes up?

My notice period is 4 weeks, but my employer only has to give me 2. I haven’t been issued a redundancy notice yet, but it could be any day now. So if I tell the new company 4 weeks, and by the time vetting happens I’ve already ended my current employment it could look odd?

I’m worried if I mention it as the reason, it will just imply I’m only applying for the sake of having a job.

The role I’m interviewing for is fixed term, and I can’t think of another reason that sounds plausible for leaving a permanent contract. Something like ‘progression’ isn’t really relevant as it’s similar grade/pay. I could mention hours/wlb which is true.

But then I’m also wondering if it will look dishonest if my reference says states ‘redundancy’ as the reason for leaving, and I haven’t mentioned it at any point. Current employer is reluctant to give definitive answers to a lot of questions, and keeps pushing back on ‘updates’ so I don’t know if they will state reason for leaving.

I would say you’re at risk of redundancy so you’re looking for new opportunities, it’s better to be honest I think.

References don't state reasons for leaving.

Yes you can say redundancy or they may not ask in the interview. I don't think I've had many interviews where they've asked why you are leaving....

I'd focus more on things you like about the job role or company mission/values. You don't have to be completely honest about why you're leaving. Focus on positives and just omit the details.
If your notice period changes just say you're available to start earlier. Lots of companies will do gardening leave once you've handed your notice in so it wouldn't necessarily look odd.
Good luck with the job hunt.

you mention wlb/hours and that’s valid so mention that.
but also mention the redundancy as you might look dishonest later
i’m a recruiter and don’t really bat an eyelid when people mention redundancy. It’s useful to know though (Someone facing redundancy is more likely to take the job if offered).

I was made redundant last year, was very open about it with the recruitment agency and my new employer. Neither of them gave the slightest fuck, they were just happy I did a really good interview and presentation.

It’s sadly very common to be made redundant and companies know it’s not usually a reflection on the individual.

Great thanks all!

your post is being made redundant but It is not a reflection of you as an employee and of your performance, so I would be honest about it.

Redundancies happen for many reasons: company is an financial trouble, taken over, reorganised, relocated and so on...

Whole departments can be made redundant when things are reorganised. It is very common and there is little you can do as an individual to prevent that.

As a manager it would not concern me in the slightest if I was recruiting for a post and a candidate told me their company was making redundancies.

It happens to many people at some point in their career.

This! "Risk of redundancy" or "There's an impending restructure at work and I'm not sure how that will impact my current role". Keep it vague.

Is your current employer hoping that you will leave by giving them notice before they make your job redundant?

As for speaking about being made redundant the new company will want to be sure that you are not bringing the "emotional bagage" of you being made redundant into their business.
They may check that you can explain that life happens and you accept that this is an oppertunity that you would have missed out on rather than some horrible tragic job loss that forced you to apply.
So if you get emotional have someone pratice various q&a with you.

Plus! Lack of responsibility to build a career or worry about office politics as you want to "downsize" your job to 9-5 can be a reason move to a fixed contract.

Good luck with the job hunting🌻

I’m in a similar boat in that my team is restructuring and I don’t know whether I’d be at risk or not. Problem is I’ve only been in the role a few months (but with the company for years) so I’m putting it in my cover letter that due to impending structure changes the future of my team is unclear and I therefore have my managers full support to pursue any other opportunities that interest me.

Also, you could say that the mention of redundancy has actually given you a good kick to look at your career and where you want to be - you're now looking forward to using your skills to tackle a new challenge, new environment etc.

You don't need to put that in the covering letter

Is your current employer hoping that you will leave by giving them notice before they make your job redundant?

I think this could be one reason they are being evasive. My team has also turned into a bit of a ‘middle man’ for a lot of departments so we end up picking up other dept excess work, on top of our actual jobs. So I think another reason they keep delaying, is we’re on hand to pick up this extra work whilst they are replacing software, sending other teams out for training days leaving no staff etc.

This! "Risk of redundancy" or "There's an impending restructure at work and I'm not sure how that will impact my current role". Keep it vague.

This is what I’m now going to use, along with the new job being a good fit/opportunity etc. Just hope I don’t ramble! 😁

Thanks again

We do for internal roles.

This is because there are rules about letting people go.
One if the rules is if a role is removed the employer should offer that employee any available suitable roles, which prevents the employer sacking some staff " by redundancy" and while they hire new staff into renamed roles. Rejecting an employee from an intenal role could be proof of unfair dismissal.

@Phos "need to" why? It's an internal role. The Hr team should already know this and why should you be writing covering letters, should be a lot easier.

Because it’s a massive company, another division will not know about team’s restructuring elsewhere. Its not a covering letter per se but a sort of statement about why you’re applying and what skills and experience you have - brings it to life more than a cv before you ask.

I interpret the question as 'why did you apply for THIS role?' not 'why are you looking for A NEW role?' so my answer would be entirely about the new job.

If I accepted a job offer I'd explain any actual redundancy situation then, if pertinent.

If you haven't been told formally then I wouldn't mention it.

I once did when I went for a job because I had a 5pm deadline to submit for voluntary redundancy and I basically told them if they did decide on me could they do it before 5pm because the money would help me move back to London.

It worked that time and I got the job but I think it also helped I had good rapport with the interviewer.

@Phos I would expect HR to give you a guaranteed interview for an internal role due to redundancy

They do when it’s made official. If it’s a restructure where it might happen then that’s why you’re told to put it.

@phos so it's not official and therefore not impending?

Regardless i dont know your company etc. I wouldn't do it generally but that's ok if you eo.

I've done this in the past when I was one of many people being made redundant and had no problems. Redundancy is a fact of life these days and is not necessarily seen as a black mark against you. 🌹

Start off by telling them what appeals to you about the role, it should always be about that first and foremost.

No problem to also drop in that you are going through redundancy at your current role, but you still have to show you are genuinely interested in the new role, too.

There's still a reason your applying to this role rather than another, even if you're being made redundant, so what do you like about the company/ job and why are you a good fit?