How to rebuild your career after redundancy

After redundancy, experts say LinkedIn activity and strong networks can unlock new roles faster in Australia, but only if you change how you job hunt.

What should you prioritise immediately after redundancy?

Two of the best things you can do for yourself when you've been made redundant are to stay connected with personal networks and industry colleagues and become visible on LinkedIn.

"It can be challenging to stay motivated and engaged but having a conversation with industry colleagues can make a difference - if colleagues know you are in the market and looking opportunities can come your way from areas you didn't expect," says First State Super talent acquisition consultant Russell Stoneley.

"It's particularly important to stay connected to former colleagues as some industries can be quite niche so you're potentially going to be crossing paths with those colleagues in the future.

How your network can unlock hidden job opportunities

"By keeping connected you're maintaining those relationships that can help you in the future when you least expect it."

Stoneley used his own redundancy, in 2015, as an opportunity to relocate to Melbourne from Queensland.

"For me it was more about making the connections in a new city, reaching out to industry-specific recruiters in Victoria," he says.

"I stayed motivated because I was keen to move and try something different. I focused on the positives not the negatives - it's just about being clear about the direction you want to go.

"Once you have that clear idea, do proactive searches for a particular employer or brand you are connected with, for example if you want to be in superannuation and know the super fund you are interested in  it's about targeting that employer or brand."

Why LinkedIn activity can fast-track your next role

Experts are united that LinkedIn is very important.

For connections you haven't met it's about giving enough detail that's important to you; if it's already a connection then it's good to maintain and foster that relationship once it's been established, says Stoneley.

Fastlane chief executive and career coach Deanna Lane says "LinkedIn is where everybody goes to find you and see what you're interested in and talking about."

"Review your LinkedIn profile, follow companies you admire and comment on posts that you like," she says.

"Even if you are not going to put out your own post, it's a good thing to engage with others."

Lane suggests people looking for work should make sure their CVs are up to date, look at their strengths and create a desired job description to match with jobs they see advertised.

Should you take time off or keep job hunting?

You don't have to focus full time on looking for a job, according to Simone Mears, chief executive at recruitment specialist Profusion.

"You need to find meaningful and purposeful work - and until you find it, you can do volunteer and charity work, whatever you are passionate about but you need to have something other than looking for a job," she says. "This takes the pressure off."

Some people will need a transition period before looking for their next role, says Mears.

"Taking time off now is normal, it's a clear decision to not look for a job until you've decided - this means not thinking about work or seeing people about jobs or sending your CV out, " she says.

"If you have decided to take time out you should do it.

"If you've decided to look for a job, don't look for work five days a week, it's soul destroying, maybe look three days a week and then have a four day weekend."

Mears suggests seeking support through a coach, partner, spiritual counsellor, or psychologist.

What recruiters really want to hear from you

When you're talking to people about a job, a mate, a headhunter or talent team, be clear about what you want, and this means knowing the job you want to do.

"Often people tell me they want to go somewhere there's a good culture or team - but I need to know the job you want," she says.

Think about the person in the market who has the job you want. Then consider your skills and what you need to do to get that job, including retraining.

Being rejected and not making a shortlist can be upsetting, but Mears says it's important to keep this knockback  in perspective.

"For you it's life but for them it's just business," she says.

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