Made redundant at senior level and struggling to find the next role

[jumpingbean1810]

I was made redundant 3 months ago as a result of a restructure. I am a single parent and have worked full time since they were school age in the corporate world, working my way up to a senior management position. Since June I have applied for c.15 roles within my field, with several interviews but no success. For more junior roles I'm rejected for being too senior and for roles of a similar level to my current one, there are very few roles and lots of good quality candidates so I've lost out to people with more directly relevant experience. I have considered contract/consulting work but that is also very competitive in my area. I would love to get out of the corporate world altogether but cant afford a massive salary drop at this stage in my life with various financial commitments.

I have enough in redundancy and savings to see me through for a year but I've never been in this situation before and am terrified. This is undoubtedly affecting my confidence in interviews and I clearly need to sell myself better. The redundancy was unexpected and combined with menopause, middle age tiredness, brain fog and anxiety my self esteem is rock bottom. Yesterday i was rejected after getting to the final two, following a long interview process, so I am struggling to be positive and was wondering if anyone who has been in this situation has any advice or words of wisdom?

I am sorry that sounds really tough. My DP was made redundant after a restructure and also struggled to get a permanent role. He contracted for a while and actually that worked out quite well for him because the agencies were also desperate to fill the roles so they could get paid so helped a bit to sell him. He ended up working in a slightly adjacent area as so many in his direct field and now has finally ended up in a perm role in this new area. Initially a bit more junior but the role has expanded.
I would try public sector roles because their recruitment processes are a bit more equitable typically. If a little tricky to navigate. So if you can get past the filtering for a role they cannot exclude you for too much experience for example.
Did your redundancy include any package of support for finding new roles? Sometimes they offer CV and interview practice? If not practice with chatgpt or friends. I would also leverage your network heavily. Don't be ashamed to ask if there are any roles going.
Sorry OP it sounds tough

So sorry OP that sounds stressful and expect these days you are not alone. I expect to be in similar situation in the future and I plan to change my CV so I don’t look as senior on it. I think it’s easier to find more junior roles. It’s ridiculous to sit and remove experience and maybe a degree from my cv (I have 2) in order to look younger and less experienced. Not saying you should do this, but that’s what I am
thinking I have to. Ageism is rife out there. I wish you luck.

It’s not you, it’s the economy, and you’re clearly doing lots right if you’re getting interviews, and frustrating as it must be, I’d try to take getting to the final two as some sort of positive. You’re going to be feeling a bit bruised by that I’d imagine, though.

Re confidence I guess sometimes you have to fake it till you make it as im sure you know. I find sometimes now im older I have less confidence than when I was younger because I know more and understand the challenges better. So I guess that’s why I have to talk myself into it, and menopause doesn’t help.

I retrained after redundancy about your age but I wasn’t a single parent so I can understand that’s harder. I do know what it was like to be single and scared about finding work to pay the mortgage when I was younger though. Maybe think if you can reduce your outgoings at all, or plan to, over the next couple of years. Or if you’re in London for eg get a part-time lodger if you have space, (might be a totally inappropriate suggestion for your situation!). Sounds really tough, hope you get something soon.

Are you currently working and earning? Can you take on consultancy work?

I took a contract role at a lower level, covering someone's leave. Operated at a high level and got the next open role a couple of levels up. Still a level or so below where I was, but I dreamt last night I had been promoted to director so maybe that's an omen!

Have you been using an agency or headhunter? If not perhaps consider it.

Hi @jumpingbean1810, so sorry to hear this, it’s so tough out there at the moment. I’m in a similar position having been made redundant this time last year; securing a role after months of searching, and getting down to the final 2 for 5 roles. Unfortunately I left as the culture and my boss were toxic so I’m on the hunt again. My tips for what they’re worth are to find a decent group of recruiters, i have about 5 all of whom I’m in regular contact with and who, as well as putting me forward for roles give market insights and one even did a reverse job search for me. I’ve found my network have been great as well, I’ve reconnected with people I’ve previously worked with and found new connections. I’ve also been lucky enough to do a few odd days contracting, sometimes not the most interesting of work but it’s something and has helped with my confidence.
As others have said, the fact that you’re getting interviews and down to the final 2 is a real positive, albeit I know it doesn’t feel like that at the time. Are the re any webinars/ training sessions you can attend to keep your knowledge up to date? Also remember you’ve been looking at a really challenging time, summer holidays are always quiet and things should hopefully start to improve and get busier now. My suggestion is to draw up a list of recruiters to contact, and a list of companies you’d like to work for, send connection requests to the relevant senior people at those companies along with a message, not about looking for work but about sharing experiences etc. follow their pages, comment on posts with insightful comments etc. The most important thing though is not to spend all of your time in job hunt mode, make sure you spend time doing things you love, get out for walks, see friends etc, it can become all consuming and it’s exhausting. Sorry, long message and you may already be doing all of these things. Loads of luck and it will happen, keep applying, keep notes of questions, have your bank of STAR examples and when you’re feeling low/ lacking confidence read them and remember how brilliant you are.

I would say several interviews from 15 applications is really good going, so there are promising signs there.

Wouid you consider temp roles?
Can you re-write the CV to tone down some of your achievements for the lower level applications?
Definitely get onto the relevant agencies for your industry and/or geographic area.

What skills do you have that might be transferable? Probably lots. I think you need to think broadly. What companies/ organisations exist near you that you might like to work for? Go straight to their own website and apply direct for anything that is appealing where you may have transferable skills. I’m in a similar situation for different reasons. (although im targeting a lower paid job to get away from stress and a long commute).
im finding this approach is more fruitful for me

Are you on HRT (and enough of it)?

Are you on LinkedIn? Are you in touch with any of your ex-colleagues re: can you ask them to help with networking / coaching / mentoring?

Get yourself a (recommended) agent to job hunt for you etc.

Sorry to hear this, it’s so tough. If you feel comfortable saying what kind of role are you looking for? I hope you get something soon.

Unfortunately not too rare a situation as the market is tough. They say you’re more likely to get a job if you use your professional network to see if anything is going and try to get people to put reviews on your linked in profile. Also think about career coach to help you with the confidence. If you’re happy to go for junior roles, make sure it’s clear you tell them you’re taking a step back from senior roles due to personal reasons and you’re happy to take a lower grade role. Also set up a consulting company in your own name so it shows you’ve not been twiddling your thumbs. Financially get the job seekers allowance and reinstate child benefit. It’s not much but every little helps. Good luck. I was made redundant at 54 years but got a job quickly so age shouldn’t come into it

This is so hard, I have had a similar experience.

What people keep telling me, over and over again, is that jobs at this level almost never happen becaus eyou apply to a job ad. You have to get it through contacts. So my best advice is to use this time to network your heart out. Go and meet people, talk to them, attend events. Ask if they have heard of anything going etc etc.

Good luck, I'm in a similar situation except I'm trying to relaunch a business I ran previously, and it's bloody hard.

Hire an interview coach. Dont know how you find one. I had one in my 20s who was an ex recruitment consultant. She was incredible. I get offered about 1 in 3 of jobs that I apply for, more once I have warmed up if out of practise.

My advice is only apply for roles where you obviously fit and can do most of it. Be THE most enthusiastic candidate they ever interviewed. Most candidates fail to communicate why you want to work for them. Look at their website. Three reasons you want to work for them. Three reasons why you want the role. Three reasons why you are the right candidate. The first question is always why do you want the job and tell us about yourself. Absolutely nail that answer and they are 90% more receptive to you. The rest - talking about skills, accomplishments, how you approach stuff, should be what you can do with your eyes closed. Enthusiasm makes you stand out though.

Also really read between the lines of the JD / role - they are not always written in the best way, be clear on the nuances of the role.

Thank you for the responses and sorry for my delay in replying (I had notifications switched off so didn't realise anyone had!)

I am signed up to c.10 recruiters who i update each month and try to commit to a meet up every week with someone in ny network, and have messaged 20+ former colleagues in different organisations so they're aware of my situation should an opportunity arise - temp, perm, part time. I have joined a WhatsApp support group for senior marketing professionals who have been made redundant (there's alot!) which is useful for sharing networking events and opportunities and I've attended conferences, doing free courses etc. Its relentless and demoralising if I'm honest and feels akin to dating (which I've given up on entirely as found it so disappointing!)

I am seriously considering becoming an independent travel consultant operating under an umbrella brand like Travel Counsellors. I have extensively travelled, always design my own trips for me and friends and love it, can utilise my marketing skills and network. I can afford to live off savings for a year while it builds but need to earn a reasonable amount after that.
Does anyone know where I can find out more about potential earnings and pros and cons (I'm not talking about MLM, its more like being a franchisee). Grateful for any thoughts on this as a Plan B. Thanks

The fact you are even getting interviews and down to the last two in the current market tells me you are a good candidate. Find a good recruiter who will contact clients you want to work at, look at contracting, it can be lucrative.
i think marketing is changing, we made people redundant where I work. The job market is cautious right now with redundancies, new pm with a new budget coming. This time last year business were hit with the ni increases so will be waiting to see what’s next.
ive every faith you’ll find something. Best of luck