I never thought redundancy would be something that could happen to me. I don’t know why, but I just felt kind of invincible. Redundancy is something that only happens when companies collapse, doesn’t it? It doesn’t happen to companies that are doing well. But no. I was made redundant, completely unexpectedly, when I was only nine months into my new job. At the time, it felt like the end of the world. But actually, it was the best thing that could have happened to my career and here is why.
What happened to me?
I was sat minding my own business one day, when a meeting request popped into my calendar with my line manager and the head of my department. Unusual, but I didn’t think too much of it. Then I noticed other members of my team getting called into a meeting room one by one. And coming out. And immediately packing up their desk. I felt a bit sick, surely this wasn’t going to happen to me, was it?
My time came, I was called into the meeting room and told that I was being made redundant. My line manager looked sheepish as I couldn’t help but start crying.
Leaving the office, I felt humiliated. My keys, work phone and laptop were taken off me and I packed up my desk while my line manager hovered around me to walk me out of the building. I called Andrew in tears and he came and picked me up. I was in complete shock.
I felt tiny, I felt stupid, I felt small. I was terrified about money – Andrew and I were renting a lovely flat that I didn’t want to give up. I didn’t really have any savings to speak of. It was the worst feeling.
What happened next?
The next day, I wanted to curl up and feel sorry for myself in the safety of my bed. But instead, I got up early, put on old Green Day, really really loudly and brushed up my CV. Then I hit the job boards and the recruitment agencies. I was pissed off so I was fired up.
Suddenly not having any job made me question whether I had even been enjoying what I was doing and honestly, the answer was no. I had itchy feet, I had thought about moving away from the North East, I had thought about totally changing careers, I had even cut all of my hair off – a sure sign that things weren’t right! But until something big happened, I hadn’t been able to see how unhappy I was. I was coasting along with nothing pushing me out of my comfort zone.
What did I decide?
Redundancy made me reevaluate my career and it also made me ask loads of questions and make loads of decisions. I decided I wanted a more creative job, so I applied for tonnes of them. Andrew and I decided we wanted to stay in Newcastle and that now was actually the perfect time to start saving for a house. So, after a few family conversations, we decided to move back in with my parents and start saving hard.
In less than a month, I had five or six job interviews lined up and a date set for moving out of our flat. And a few weeks later, I had a new job – the same job that I have now and still love.
How has redundancy been good for me?
Since getting made redundant I have bought a house, got married, been promoted, started my blog and got to travel the world. And I honestly don’t think those things would have happened in that way without losing my job three years ago.
At the time, it felt like the end of the world, but actually it was the best thing that could have happened to my career. I found a job that I am MUCH better at, that interests me and that gives me more opportunities than my last job ever could. I feel genuinely valued as an individual, rather than just another employee.
It spurred me on because it put a fire in my belly, it pissed me off and it made me question everything. It was a really tough time, but I came out so much stronger.
So THANK YOU for making me redundant, it helped make me who I am today.
I hope that if you’ve been made redundant, you can try to see the positives. It will take time, but you will get there!
♥ JH
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The exact same happened to me last year but it sounded nowhere near as sudden as yours. I can’t believe you left on the same day!
the global company i was at was also doing really well and everyone always said that getting a job there was good for security etc. they decided to become more streamline and get rid of duplicate roles and we were told in the november that we were at risk but didn’t actually find out if were definitely going to be made redundant until may. it was a long wait and during that time it was just like living in limbo and i lost all motivation which i’m only gradually starting to get back now. i wondered why i should put the effort in when they might be getting rid of me anyway.
im glad you managed to sort a lot of things as a result though 🙂
looking back, i realise it gave me the push i probably needed too so that i didn’t get too comfortable and end up working there for years!
hope you’re enjoying america x
Wow that is such a long time to wait, I almost preferred just knowing straight away, even if it was humiliating. At least then I knew it was all over. America was great thank you 🙂
? JH
I’m so fortunate that this hasn’t happened to me and I have worried about it in the past, but after reading this post, I think I’d be able to see the positives if it ever did. I’m not usually one to sit and mope about something – if I’m not in a situation that I enjoy, I will do something about it, so I’d definitely get fired up and start looking for new jobs straight away, like you! Putting a positive spin on such a crappy situation will be beneficial for a lot of people reading this post, and it’s definitely one that I’ll come back to if I ever need a little boost.
Olivia – The Northernist x
Thank you so much, that’s lovely to hear. I’m not necessarily the kind of person who is optimistic, I tend to catastrophise in fact! It was definitely only with hindsight that I could see the positives.
? JH
Fortunately this hasn’t happened to me before but it must be v stressful. glad it all worked out for you though. xx
Thank you 🙂
? JH
So, so INSPIRED by this Helen! I am in a rut with my career, with blogging being my only creative outlet. I turn 30 in October, so I’ve promised my self I’ll take proper steps towards finding a creative job before the big 3-0!
Yikes sorry! I meant to write Jennifer, but I’m always CONVINCED your first name is Helen for some reason! sorry! xx
Haha no problem! Good luck with finding a new job and don’t forget, everything is happening perfectly for you. Keep with it and you will find your perfect job 🙂
? JH
WOW this is really inspiring – I am a true believer that everything happens for a reason and this was obviously the case for you 😀
Thanks so much Sam, I am starting to believe that too!
? JH
I LOVE THIS POST! I’VE BEEN MADE REDUNDANT A FEW TIME AND I DEFINITELY SEE IT AS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE, I WASN’T COMPLETELY HAPPY IN THEN JOBS AND LOSING THEM, GAVE ME THE PUSH I NEEDED TO FIND SOMETHING NEW. I RECENTLY WROTE A SIMILAR POST 🙂
I’m so glad it was the same for you, sometimes you just need that push to find what really works for you.
? JH
Wow this IS SUCH AN INSPIRING POST. eVEN THOUGH I HAVE NEVER HAD TO GO THROUGH BEING MADE REDUNDANT, THIS POST HAD HELPED ME REALIZE THAT WE CAN ALL MAKE CHANGES IF WE PUT OUR HEART AND HEAD INTO IT.
iTS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE WHAT YOU HAVE ACHIEVED AFTER GOING THROUGH SOMEONE THAT PEOPLE SEE AS SUCH A BAD THING. nO ONE WANTS TO LOOSE THEIR JOB BUT ITS ALL ABOUT GETTING BACK OUT THERE AND MAKING THE BEST OF THE SITUATION, WHICH iT LOOKS LIKE YOU CERTAINLY DID.
THANK FOR YOU SUCH A POSITIVE AND INSPIRING POST.
XX
Thank you so much, what a lovely comment! It’s true, redundancy is seen as such a bad thing, and don’t get me wrong, it SUCKS, but it can also push you to do bigger things!
? JH
love this – I too was made redundant about 2 months ago and i had only been working at the company since last august so i was completely devastated – not to mention pissed off! I took it so personally, even though my whole team were also being made redundant and i didn’t know what to do with myself. i totally started to question who i was, what i was and what i wanted from life. long story short, i found a brand new job within a couple of weeks of being told i was losing my old job and i start it next week – it’s working in digital marketing for a charity and i honestly think this could be the best change to have ever happened to me. it’s going to be so much more rewarding, humbling, inspiring. so really, being made redundant wasn’t the end of the world. in fact, it was just the start of my next chapter.
thank you for sharing this post – had i read it a few weeks ago it certainly would have helped me to stay positive so i’m sure it will help others out there going through something similar xxx
That is exactly the same process I went through – so pissed off, blamed myself, felt like crap. Your new job sounds really exciting, congratulations and I hope you have a great first week!
? JH
Great post – it may feel like the end of the world but actuallY its the pUsh you might need to follow your dreams!!
Em x
http://happywiseowl.com
Totally agree!
? JH