Made redundant and completely lost

[AmpleOlive]

As per the title, I have recently been made redundant and I am now crippled with worry and anxiety 😥

I have been working in the language industry as a project manager for the past 16 years, same company, rising through the ranks albeit much slower than I would have liked though I generally enjoy the work. Opportunities in the field are non existent outside London or remote work. I have applied to eight roles in my field with no luck. I’m either massively overqualified for my current position or under qualified for the next level. I have also looked into PM positions in other industries thinking I could transfer, but virtually all positions require a degree in IT or experience in construction, marketing or software engineering. And of course managing translation projects is very different to handling IT or construction projects.

Managing translations is all I have done so I’m now completely stuck for ideas as to what I could do next other. Getting a customer advisor role is the only other thing I could potentially get. Otherwise I feel that my only other option is to retrain in something completely different - the only financially viable options would be something health related like OT where I could get NHS and second degree funding. I am not tied down with a mortgage however that is also a bad thing as it could be another few years before I could get on the ladder (I’m 40, single, no kids). Fortunately I have substantial savings plus the payout to tide me over for a good while, but this was meant to be for a deposit this year…

I don’t want to be negative and cynical but I feel that my background has limited me massively and I’m struggling to see a way out apart from what I’ve already suggested. If anyone has been in a similar situation or has any advice or words of wisdom to offer I’d be very grateful.

It has been nearly four weeks since I got the news and I will be employed until the end of August. But I’m so scared I haven’t been able to sleep or eat well.

Sorry for the long post but I need help.

A bump for you OP. I got made redundant about 20 years ago and felt just like you at the time (and I think many people feel the same). The great thing is that it sounds like you have a savings cushion/pay out to give you the breathing space to take a step back and think about what you want to do next. I would start from the position of what you enjoy doing/what makes you happy/if you hadn't done what you have been doing for the last 16 years what would you had done otherwise - basically think about what your ideal life and/or job would look like and see what options that suggests to you. I know it sounds trite but you will look back in a few years and say that the redundancy actually worked out for the best for you - I certainly do and know many others who have been made redundant and feel that way.
The main thing is to ensure that you don't let this knock your confidence and every day ensure you think about the skills you have, the experience you have etc etc
I'm sure others will be along with good advice.

Thank you for the bump @MsFogi , much appreciated.

I forgot to add I don’t drive either, which certainly doesn’t help! I’ve suffered from general anxiety over the years caused by a few traumatic life events which is why I never learned, and I guess is why I stayed in my job for so long. I’m going to get my provisional and give driving a good go at least on the back of this. But it’s overwhelming to say the least, learning to drive and getting back on my feet…

Sounds like driving is the first thing on the list of positive things you are going to take the opportunity to do as a result of redundancy OP. Don't let it be overwhelming - let it be an amazing opportunity to get a few achievements under your belt, one step at a time one driving lesson at a time!

from a fellow project manager - I work as an IT project manager at a university. I don't have a computing degree and neither do any of my colleagues. Your skills will be transferable, in fact I used to be a translator myself in previous life and my first degree is languages. Have a look at professional services jobs on jobs.ac.uk but if you like project management, there is no need to sell yourself short.

Have you thought about publishing? I don't know if you're looking for higher pay, but project management is an excellent skill to have for marketing, editorial or production. Especially editorial, if you combine it with awareness of the bigger financial picture (passion for books is all very well, but appreciating how the finished product contributes towards the company's growth plans is can set you apart). And I don't know the lay of the employment market at the moment, but surely remote roles must be overrepresented in the industry at the moment. Good luck, OP, I feel for you.

Oh also - what about looking at cultural institutes with offices in the UK (of France, Germany etc)?