What To Do When Made Redundant

Redundancy Survival Tips: A Step-by-Step Guide to Navigating Change

What To Do When Made Redundant Australia

Most people, when they receive the news that their role has been made redundant, feel a huge shock and sense of betrayal. For many, the news marks the start of an emotional and uncertain time. Some feel overwhelmed, anxious, angry, or even relieved, all of which are perfectly valid reactions.

If you’re wondering how to deal with redundancy, you’re not alone. In today’s world of work, redundancy is more common than most people realise and can feel isolating and confronting. The good news is that every day, people face these crossroads and successfully transition to something new. With the right support, further information, and guidance, you can too. Below, you’ll find helpful tips to begin planning your next steps so you can move forward with confidence and clarity.

What Is Redundancy and Why Does It Happen?

Redundancy is highly common in today’s ever-changing markets as companies scale up and down with market fluctuations. There is no shame; every day, highly talented professionals around the world are affected by it.

Employee redundancy happens when a position is no longer required due to changes in a business. It might be the result of restructuring, downsizing, mergers, or financial pressures within the company. A genuine redundancy is when the role truly ceases to exist, and it’s not a reflection of your skills or performance or a result of anything you may have done wrong. Employers will often communicate some form of reason for this action when notifying you.

The redundancy process can vary depending on your industry and employer. However, it generally includes a notice period, final payments, and access to any agreed-upon benefits such as outplacement support.

Dealing With Redundancy: Day One

Take a Breath Before Taking Action

The first day can feel surreal. It’s normal to look back and for everything to feel like a blur. Often, it is hard to take in information verbally when you are going through shock, so ensure you collect all the paperwork and information you are given by your employer in writing. Gather letters, contracts, or verbal information. If you feel comfortable, write down key details and ask questions if anything is unclear.

It’s natural to feel emotional and angry, but try not to let these emotions lead you to say or do things in the moment that you will regret. Avoid burning bridges or saying things in the heat of the moment, as your employer can be important as a referee for your job search. Managing the news with dignity will reflect well on your professionalism.

On the day, it’s important to confirm your notice, final pay, and whether you’ll receive any redundancy pay. You should also check their expectations for returning company property. If you have a company mobile phone, you may want to explore if it’s possible to retain your phone number when the phone is transferred.

Look After Yourself

Emotional wellbeing matters. Immediately following the news being broken, make sure to give yourself time to let your emotions settle and the information sink in. If your company has a career transition coach or EAP available on-site on the day, take a few minutes to talk with them. They can help you make sense of everything you are experiencing and help you feel more confident in the days ahead, as well as be clearer about the support available to you.

After this, take the day to be with family or friends, and avoid making rushed decisions or jumping straight into your job search. A friendly face to listen to you and vent to can be invaluable at this time. Avoid driving home if you are upset, and if need be, get a ride home instead.

The First Few Days: Getting Organised

Review Your Finances

One of the most practical first steps is understanding your financial situation. Calculate your final pay, including any owed leave or entitlements. You may want to speak with a financial advisor to ensure your money is managed wisely, particularly if your notice period is brief.

Seek quality financial advice regarding your personal circumstances so that any tax implications are handled effectively and to ensure your pay-out is managed well. This can also be a good time to gain assistance with planning a budget for the future when you are between roles and to explore available government support and resources. This advice should not just be general advice, but tailored to your personal situation.

Government services like MoneySmart or Financial Counselling Australia can also help with advice and planning.

Contact Your Career Support Provider

If your employer has provided outplacement services, this is the time to contact your coach or the outplacement provider. You don’t have to prepare anything beforehand, and you can still take a break before starting your job search if you desire. However, they can help explain what support is available and ensure it is available when you are ready.

Some people are keen to start on their career goals immediately. If you have access to a Career Coach and/or professional resume writer as part of an outplacement package, you may want to start collecting sample job advertisements for the types of roles you are interested in to discuss with them. You may also want to dig out your old resume and begin writing notes on recent achievements and relevant skills.

Give Yourself the Time You Need, But Not Too Long!

It’s sensible, in the immediate few days, to avoid the temptation to rush out into the job market unprepared. Give yourself a small amount of time before contacting your networks to let your emotions settle, gain clarity around what you want to do next, and ensure you can identify and articulate your value clearly and succinctly. However we encourage you to ensure you don’t take too long.

If finding another job is a priority, acting quickly is essential – so make a plan. This should include updating your resume, creating a strategic job search plan and leveraging your network to make the most of potential opportunities.

Some people choose to take a break before starting their job search to renew and refresh. This is a valid personal choice, and can be beneficial in the right circumstances, but be aware job search can have a long lead time. So if financially, you need another job, and your mental health allows, it’s wise to start sooner rather than later.

What To Do After Redundancy: Rebuilding With Support

Practice Self-Kindness

Being made redundant doesn’t define your worth but it’s natural to experience a rollercoaster of emotions as you move through it. Practising self-care in the first few weeks is just as important as building a solid job search strategy.

That might mean taking time for yourself, talking to a counsellor, or simply maintaining healthy routines. Support services like Beyond Blue or Lifeline are also available if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Make Next Steps Small, Plan Wisely

Redundancy is an ideal time to take stock. Dig out your old resume and position descriptions and write down what you loved (and didn’t) about past roles; this will help identify your values and shape your direction. You may also want to explore job advertisements online and highlight what appeals to you. All of this information can give you important clues about the types of roles that may be a good fit for you moving forward. Don’t pressure yourself to solve everything at once. Think of this time as an opportunity to re-evaluate your career, priorities, and lifestyle.

Re-Evaluate: Map Out the Next Chapter

Now is the perfect time to reflect on what your ideal new role looks like. Are you staying in the same industry? Is it time to pursue a different direction? If you have outplacement support, your coach can help you explore your options, and be a sounding board as you move through the process to decide what’s your next best step. For many people, the next step may be a similar role or industry. For some, redundancy can lead to new career paths as they take the opportunity to stop and really consider what they want to do next.

Regardless, moving forward is always easier with a plan. It will help you clarify how to focus your job search, considerations for your resume, and assist with strategic networking and recruiter connections.

Talking About Redundancy: Conversations That Count

How to Share the News

Telling people you’ve been made redundant can be hard. Whether it’s your partner, former colleagues, or a future hiring manager, honesty and confidence go a long way.

With job loss being so common, you’re not alone, and there’s no need to feel ashamed. Keep explanations factual and brief. In an interview, it’s often enough to say your company restructured, and your role was impacted. In conversations, keep your mindset neutral and remind yourself mentally it was the role that was made redundant, not you.

What NOT to Include in Your Resume While Job Hunting

You don’t need to explain why you left your last job on your resume. Avoid listing “redundancy” or “reason for leaving”; this only draws attention to something that doesn’t need justification. Use your resume space to highlight strengths, skills, achievements, and what you’re capable of delivering in your future role. Outplacement Australia, once you’re ready to head towards applications, is able to assist in resume writing and Linkedin profile optimisation.

Accessing Resources and Taking Action

Surround Yourself with Support

Redundancy can be a challenging journey, and there may be moments of frustration that test your resolve. The key to moving forward positively is surrounding yourself with the right people. Use your support network to help. This may include friends and family, work mentors and peers, and professionals such as career coaches. These people can help motivate you, connect you with opportunities, and act as a sounding board during the complexities of career decision-making. Don’t forget to include people who can also take your mind off things when you need a break. Mental health is a key part of a successful job search.

If You Have Outplacement, Use It. Redundancy Is Easier When You’re Not Alone

Many people when first given outplacement aren’t sure if they need it, but access to professional resume writers and career coaches can be a game changer during job search. Your coach or career team can give you access to tailored resources, including application guides, interview preparation, and industry insights. You may also receive support in using technology, like AI tools, to assist in job hunting efficiently and ethically.

If you’ve been offered support from Outplacement Australia, all you need to do is get in contact. You don’t need to have a plan; we’ll work with you to build one together.

What To Do When Made Redundant Australia: Making It Work For You

If you’ve been affected by redundancy, we’re here to help you explore your options, get prepared for the job market, and reconnect with your career path.

Whether you want to jump into a new job, take time to reflect, or fast-track to your next job, we’ll support you every step of the way.

Ready to Talk?

If you’re feeling lost or unsure about what to do when made redundant, start by reaching out. Our friendly team can talk you through what to expect and how to make the most of your program. We’ll help you:

• Consider Your Next Steps and Options
• Create a tailored action plan based on your circumstances
• Build a strong resume and online presence
• Target relevant jobs that align with your career goals
• Prepare for interviews with confidence and clarity

We also offer expert career transition services and resources to support you beyond redundancy, helping you explore new directions, gain clarity, and step confidently into your next role.