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Job Hunting Advice After Redundancy & Career Break

1 reply

WherestheOffButton · 30/04/2025 14:32

Hello! I’m hoping for some advice or ideas from others who might have been in a similar position.

At the end of lockdown, I was made redundant from a company where I’d worked for over a decade. Around the same time, I started a small business and a family. Fast forward a few years, and with my toddler now starting nursery part-time, I’m looking (and needing) to get back into a more stable job role.
The problem is, after being out of the job market for a while—and going through a really drawn-out and draining redundancy process—I’ve lost a lot of confidence in my abilities and direction.

I’m finding it hard to know what kinds of roles to aim for. In my previous company, I made a lot of sideways moves, picking up experience in a range of areas rather than progressing up a single career path. While that gave me a broad skill set, it now makes it harder to know what to focus on or how to “package” my experience.

I’d really appreciate any recommendations for recruitment agencies (London-based or nationwide) that take a supportive approach and offer advice based on your work history. Or has anyone worked with a career coach or similar service and found it helpful?

Any suggestions, encouragement, or shared experiences would mean a lot right now. Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
thedancingclown · 30/04/2025 18:56

I have been in a similar situation. Long time in one job, lots of different and varied roles, but not a defined path.

I had a career coach for a while (part of redundancy package) which sort of helped but actually I just got the book knock out CV by john lees which got me to sort out a 20 year resume and help establish what my skillset was at that point in time. I had no idea what role I was really looking for at this point.

After that I looked for roles which were at least a 50% match to my skills even if I never did that role before. I found a role which was similar to one of my past ones but in a different industry which was a good match for my skillset and also one I could grow into. Whilst looking I also did some online courses which helped me develop skills and also think about what I did and did not want to do.

All I can suggest it look at lots of different types of roles and keep an open mind. Look at the skillset they require and go on that.

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