New in the Job Market Following Redundancy? What to Do First

If you have recently been made redundant — particularly after a long time with the same employer — it can feel as though the job market has moved on without you. Online applications, LinkedIn, keyword screening, applicant tracking systems: recruitment today looks very different from even a few years ago.

The good news is that the fundamentals haven't changed. Employers still want to see clear evidence of what you can do, and a well-presented, relevant application still stands out. What has changed is how you get in front of them — and that's where a little structure helps.

Here's what I'd recommend in your first week or two, drawn from more than 25 years of working with candidates on the recruiter's side of the desk.

1. Take stock before you rush to apply

Give yourself a few days to process what has happened before you start applying. Most people who apply immediately after redundancy send out unfocused applications — and unfocused applications rarely get shortlisted.

Use that time practically instead: note your notice period and any redundancy terms, gather old appraisals, project summaries and achievement records, and jot down the parts of your career you enjoyed most and were proudest of. That material will become the evidence behind your CV and your answers at interview.

2. Be clear about what you want next

Redundancy often arrives as a surprise, and it's easy to fall into applying for anything and everything. It's worth pausing to consider the direction you actually want: the same role in a new organisation, a step up, a change of sector, or something you have been considering for years but never had reason to act on.

You don't need a perfect five-year plan — just enough direction to target your applications. If you're genuinely unsure what comes next, a Career Coaching conversation can help you explore your options and identify your transferable skills before you commit to a direction.

3. Look at the job market with fresh eyes

Spend an hour or two browsing job boards and reading job descriptions for roles that interest you — not to apply, but to understand what employers are currently asking for. Look for the skills, qualifications and experience that appear again and again.

This tells you two things: what the market values right now, and where your own experience needs to be positioned more strongly. It also helps you spot roles you might not have considered, where your transferable skills could be a genuine fit.

4. Get your CV recruiter-ready before you apply

If your CV hasn't been updated in several years, it is almost certainly underselling you. Older CVs tend to be long lists of responsibilities rather than a clear picture of your level, achievements and value.

Before you apply for anything, rework your CV so that it:

• Opens with a strong profile that makes your level and offer obvious in seconds
• Leads with relevant skills rather than being buried in chronology
• Presents achievements and projects, not just duties
• Is tailored to the type of role you're pursuing rather than generic

If you'd like an honest view of how your CV comes across, a Complimentary CV Review will tell you exactly where it's helping you and where it's holding you back. From there, Professional CV Writing gives you a strong Master CV to build your search on — and if you're applying for multiple roles, Targeted Job Search Support pairs that Master CV with tailored applications and recruiter-led support throughout.

5. Bring your LinkedIn profile into line

Recruiters will look you up — often before they read your application. An out-of-date profile, or no profile at all, creates doubt at exactly the moment you want to build confidence.

At minimum, update your headline, your opening summary and your most recent role, and make sure the positioning matches your CV. Consistency between the two matters more than perfection.

6. Tell your network — briefly and confidently

Let former colleagues and industry contacts know you're looking. A short, confident line about what you're seeking works far better than an anxious one — people respond to clarity, and most opportunities at this stage come through people, not portals.

You don't need to explain the circumstances of your departure. "After 20 years with X, I'm now looking for my next senior HSE leadership role" is enough.

7. Then apply — with focus, not volume

Once your CV and profile are ready, apply deliberately. A handful of well-targeted, tailored applications will always outperform dozens of generic ones, and you'll protect your confidence by only investing time in roles that genuinely fit.

Before applying for a role that matters to you, it's worth having the match assessed honestly first — a CV to Job Match Review will tell you whether the opportunity is worth pursuing and what evidence would strengthen your application if it is.

You don't have to work this out alone

Rejoining the job market after redundancy is a step-by-step process, and support is available at every stage — from understanding your direction, to a professionally written CV, to tailored support for the applications that matter most.

Not sure where to start? Tell Michelle where you are and she'll help you agree the right support and the cost before you commit to anything.