Coping with redundancy

Since the recession started to bite, hardly a day has gone by without media reports of job losses, redundancies and companies going into administration. It must be very disheartening and scary for someone to suddenly find themselves jobless, struggling financially, and with lots of time on their hands. Thanks to recession-related redundancies, there are numerous people seeking alternative ways of making a living, especially amongst those who held Finance Jobs.

Different people seem to take differing approaches to their redundancy. Inevitably, there will be a sense of loss, a period of adjustment, and a lot of negative feelings. But it's surprising how many people are also taking a positive and pro-active approach to their redundancy, by hanging on to their self-esteem, and using their time constructively. Most people I've met, are taking a traditional approach, by using all available tools to search for new jobs, especially via Internet job sites. One or two people I know have even started their own businesses.

What I find pleasantly surprising in all this, is the fact that the friends I have who have started businesses, have turned their hobbies into livelihoods. Despite suffering the blow of redundancy, they've actually found themselves taking a positive stance, and for the first time in their lives, really enjoying their work. One of my friends worked in banking and lost her job. She's now selling her own hand-crafted jewellery, picture frames and other handicrafts, and making a reasonable income. Another friend has started a garden landscaping business with her husband, and they are both happier than they were in their office-based jobs.

Perhaps the main thing anyone should bear in mind, when facing redundancy, is that it is their job that is redundant, not them personally. Thinking outside the box may also be useful. If jobs are hard to come by in your chosen field, try to remember that all job skills are transferable. However negative things may seem when redundancy first rears its ugly head, as one door closes, it's inevitable that another one will crack open just around the corner - I speak from experience.