Don’t get down – keep active

So here I am again after some unplanned time away from the site. My birthday was in Mid-March, a day I spent in a different city discussing a potential contract – which I am frustratingly still awaiting final confirmation on – before travelling back to London the same day in order to go for an operation the next morning. After that I had a recovery period, a short break and a bit of time getting back into the swing of things.

It can be quite a slog to keep going when everything seems against you – when even the chance of being able to send out a CV seems unlikely given the jobs on offer, when opportunities are few and far between to get bits and pieces of work, when sickness or other demands on your time throw you out of the loop.

Being unemployed and going nowhere can be totally demoralising.

Unfortunately this is one of the times when a lack of job and being demoralised go hand in hand in a vicious downward spiral. Any initial feelings of freedom and being in control of your own destiny after redundancy can come in for quite a battering if you haven’t been able to make a chance to your circumstances.

Well folks, if this is you, it stops here.

Get out of your routine, make some new challenges, take some time to exercise, listen to your favourite music and lose yourself in it, or make plans to relax with friends. You just need to recharge your batteries somehow, take a breather.

Having a job isn’t the be-all and end-all of this life. Whatever it is you do with your life, if you feel stuck and downtrodden, then stop for a while. It’ll make a change. Do it and then get on with making the life you want.

Other media on redundancy 13th April 2009

Redundancy inquiries to West Sussex CAB up 120%
The Argus.co.uk – Brighton,UK
By Ruth Lumley » Redundancy inquiries to the Citizens’ Advice Bureau in West Sussex went up 120% in the last financial year. Figures from the Citizens’ …

BT set to axe another 10000 jobs
The Press Association
Telecoms group BT is poised to axe another 10000 jobs as part of a redundancy programme due to be announced next month. The efficiency drive – in addition …

Post Office ‘cheating’ on redundancy cover
This is Money – UK
The Post Office is accused of cheating customers over controversial payment protection insurance (PPI) redundancy cover by hiking prices and slashing …

Other media on redundancy 5th April 2009

70 at risk of compulsory redundancy after town hall merger
Journal Live – Newcastle upon Tyne,UK
But yesterday bosses at the new council revealed that 70 workers who want to keep their jobs remain at risk of compulsory redundancy in the drive to make …

Efforts to save SR Technics jobs continue
Belfast Telegraph – United Kingdom
600 redundancies came into effect at the plant at Dublin Airport yesterday. But SIPTU is calling on Tanaiste Mary Coughlan to intervene to ensure these …

Workers occupy car parts factories in England and Northern Ireland
World Socialist Web Site – Oak Park,MI,USA
One hundred workers occupied the plant on Tuesday night, demanding either that the plants are kept operational or the redundancy and pension pay-outs are …

Threat of redundancy ‘hangs over 13m’
Institute of Leadership & Management – London,UK
This means that more than 13 million are threatened by the prospect of redundancy, it warned. It found that those in the public sector have the safest jobs, …

HBOS chief gives up £1m payoff for basic redundancy of £2970
guardian.co.uk – UK
Instead Hornby was granted £2970 in basic statutory redundancy pay. He did, however, pick up £251000 as a result of the company’s takeover by Lloyds on top …

How to survive redundancy and recession
What PC? – UK
Archana Venkatraman asks why, and what info pros can do to beat redundancy What a difference a winter makes. In December 2008, the Special Libraries …

British Airways cuts send week’s job losses above 4000
guardian.co.uk – UK
BA said today that the “tough economic climate” had forced it to cut 300 jobs as part of a targeted voluntary redundancy scheme.

Guest Post: Babu Basu

Babu Basu is a freelance writer and creator of adverts, articles and web content. As a fellow ‘redundant’, he picked himself up, dusted himself down, and set up babubasu.com

Mine’s the company Porsche.

Want to start your own company? Are you sure? Are you sane?

I admit it. I’ve been seduced by Dragon’s Den.

Seduced by the unfeasibly expensive cars. Intoxicated by impeccable clothes and emotionally hi-jacked by that hovering helicopter. The message of the show is clear, start a company, work damn hard and watch the money roll in.
Erm…

I set up my own freelance writing company in 2008. It has been the best and worst thing I have ever done.
Having your company is like being a parent.

You lie awake at night worrying how the company will prosper. Are you giving it the right start in life? Can you protect it from bad people?  What happens when it grows up?

Like parenting, running your own business eats into your free time, day and night.

Granted, I’m not changing nappies or bottle feeding, but stress and deadlines keep me awake. My head is often buzzing with ideas, worries, wisdom. It’s hard to switch off.

Parents spending time away from children are consumed with guilt. I’m the same with my businesses. How can I possibly leave it by itself, defenceless, cold and hungry?

But, it’s not all tears and fears.

Having something/someone to look after can be an incredible privilege.

You learn a lot.

If you’re prepared to make mistakes (and you will make them) the learning will take you places you never thought possible. You spot opportunity and develop great instincts. (After you’ve been burnt a few times, you learn to stay away from the fire, or at least turn it down).

You’re in control.

Working for others can be frustrating if you are limited by your role. Start your own company and suddenly you have TOTAL CONTROL. You are now the Finance Department, HR, Marketing, Security. YOU ARE EVERYTHING.
Scary yes, rewarding, you bet!

Get a Routine

Sometimes it seems like it is the routine that is the worst thing about a hated job.  The alarm every weekday, the commute, the same-old faces, same-old job, repetitive lunch, long afternoons, the return commute and lack of energy to do anything other than to slump in front of the telly.

And if you are now no longer having to go through that routine then it can be such a wonderful relief.  You are free!!

However you may want to make your own routine….  I know, I know I’m a kill-joy!

The best way to make sure that you either get back into employment, or have the chance to break-out and build the working life you want, then you need to be organised and focused.

So getting a routine is probably a good idea.  And that can be anything you want – as long as it encompasses what you are trying to do.  You should also make sure it covers both any other responsibilities you may have taken on since being made redundant, but also some exercise.

Exercise is the best way to give you the energy and enthusiasm, and positive outlook, to keep you moving towards your goals.  When it comes to interview you want to be seen as alive and energetic, which isn’t easy if you have spent the last few days getting up late, watching TV and firing off a few CVs.

What’s my routine?  Well I set the alarm to wake me up at 6.45am, though this varies a bit, to give me time to have breakfast, read the paper and check out emails before having a wash and dressing.  I am then usually ready to start my “work” at 9am.

My “work” is trying to move forward with ideas, apply for jobs and do stuff that needs to be done.  Not something I get paid for, but generally all important nonetheless.

I break up the day into 90 minutes working, followed by 30 minutes of exercise/coffee breaks, with an hour for lunch.  That seems quite comfy doesn’t it?  But I also do stuff in the evening, and sometimes late into the night – so making time during the day for breaks away from the computer is important.

Have a think and get some freedom with your own routine!

Other media on redundancy 08.03.09

Prepare to put up a fight if jobs axe falls unfairly
guardian.co.uk – UK
“Employers wanting to avoid redundancy payments often come up with other reasons to get rid of people and that generates additional claims,” says Ann Jay, …

Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater
Times Online – UK
Simon Champion, founder of Redundancy Help, an advice centre, said: “In the last downturn a lot of big companies got rid of their skilled workers, …

Business Doctor: Tax relief on redundancy payments
Times Online – UK
I agreed to pay three of them the statutory redundancy package, while the fourth will receive more than statutory redundancy. …

Rangers offer redundancy packages
BBC News – UK
Rangers are offering their staff the option of voluntary redundancy in response to the economic downturn. A club spokeswoman told BBC Scotland that the …

Keep a record

Life isn’t neat and simple and easy to keep a track on – and neither is job hunting.  We’re going to have a quick look at how you can make things just that little bit easier.

The last three or four times when I have kicked off a job-hunt, either through choice or necessity, I have had the exact same things happen every time.

It all starts when I put my CV live on a number of the online jobsites.  Within 24 hours I am being pretty much deluged with calls, I do not say that as a boast as I think it is much more to do with suddenly appearing at the top of searches made by recruitment agencies, marking me out as a new job-seeker.

So I can get 20-30 calls from agencies within a day, some of which I have answered, others which I miss and they leave voicemails.  Even when unemployed it is quite difficult to keep up with such a quantity, and when still employed it becomes completely unmanageable.

So things get missed out, I fail to call some people back, give up on others if I don’t get hold of them when returning their calls.  Basically potential jobs have slipped through my fingers.  And even the ones I speak to I lose track of where in the process I am (has my CV been sent? Are they waiting for the client? Has my CV been passed to someone else in the agency?)

So what I have done is created a simple page that can be printed out and used to keep track of these job calls.  It is a first draft and I appreciate your comments in fine-tuning it.  I have tried to focus on giving space for multiple contacts about jobs, over just listing all different agency contacts, as a reminder to work out what is next in that job app – and possible give a nudge to chase agencies if they haven’t gotten back to you in the time they suggested.

This form can also be useful for those receiving JSA as the data can be easily copied over to the form they use.

I hope it is useful for you and that it helps you keep track of your job-hunt.

Download the Application Record

“authentic: How to make a living by being yourself” Review

Back-cover: “authentic, offers inspiration for individuals tired of career conformity.  Neil Crofts shows how we arrive at a situation where many of us feel irrevocably tied to jobs we don’t enjoy.  He demonstrates the steps you need to take to find out who you really are and what you want from life, and finally he reveals how you can turn all that into a business that is authentic to you.”

Neil Crofts has taken what you might call a holistic approach to redefining what you do for a living, as he also covers making changes to your diet/lifestyle/etc to give you the energy and clear-headedness to pursue the dream of your own authentic business.

The book is nicely laid out and well written.  It takes you step by step through the the thinking, planning and actions you need to take if you want to start an ethical business, or change your current organisation into one.    Crofts defines this “authentic” business as one “with a profound positive purpose” for others and oneself.

The advice and guidance is well thought-out, positive and inspiring.  While quite a slim book (130 pages) it still packs a huge amount of information for those who are looking at repositioning themselves or their companies for the greater good.

Recommended

Guest Post: Rasheed Ogunlaru

Rasheed Ogunlaru is a leading life coach, motivational speaker and business / corporate coach. His clients include entertainers, entrepreneurs, healers, organisations and the public. He helps individuals, businesses and organisations – of all backgrounds – seeking fulfilment, meaningful success and positive change in their lives, at work and in the world. He is author of The Gift of Inner Success and an inspiring range of books, CDs and MP3s. He is a leading specialist on inner fulfilment is also the creater of The Rasheed Show. Find out more at www.rasaru.com.

Rasheed has generously written a guest post for SurviveRedundancy.co.uk.

Redundancy presents an opportunity to reinvent yourself and perhaps to truely follow your dreams for the first time. Mindful that redundancy – or the threat of it – may face you, your friend or family – here are my top tips …followed by my 1min film.

1. Give yourself time and space to be, breathe, reflect and even grieve.
2. Find out exactly what the redundancy will mean: and your options / entitlements.
3. Seek support: from friends and loved ones – and professionals in / beyond work who can help you.
4. Take time: to consider what you really want to do next in your life and career and follow your heart.
5. Practicals: Brush up your CV and your interview skills, identify all your strengths and skills. Ensure you stand
out. Include a powerful personal statement at the top.
6. Get hold of my ‘Moving ahead in your career free guide – visit my resources page it will help you focus on what you want in a job
7. Write a list of all the people you know who can help you (inc contacts, friends, former colleagues and who they know)Call or make appointments to meet and chat with anyone who may be able to help you.
8. When applying for jobs: keep your spoken/ written correspondence clear, crisp, concise and captivating.
9. Spread the net: include internet, networking, agencies, contacts as well as newspapers for your job search
10. Tell people: You probably know 200 people or more tell them what you’re looking for…together you may find it… It’s a small world

Scratch-on my friend! Scratch-On

It’s not a particularly present place the Jobcentre. Oh the staff try to make it friendly and professional enough, but there is something about the fact that the clientele are unemployed and on benefits that gives it an air of down-at-heel scruffiness, and mild desperation.

The last time I was at the JobCentre I was sat waiting on a very hard-wearing sofa, and joined by a mother and her pre-teenage son. At one point a security guard asked politely if the boy could take his feet off the sofa. The mother retorted back, “Are we allowed to breathe?”. What an amazing connection to make.

I have also learned that some don’t say “signing-on” anymore, but instead the wonderful “scratching-on”. Not something to repeat in polite company.

But these people are in the minority, and anyway they shouldn’t be enough to put you off using the JobCentre for what it is there for.

My advice is to get in touch with JobCentre Plus (Phone: 0800 0 55 66 88 or Text phone: 0800 0 23 48 88 if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech difficulties) the day after you have been made redundant. When I lost my job I left it a few weeks as I believed there was a job for me just around the corner. I was wrong and missed out on money I was entitled to.

So make that call and go to that initial interview – it’s not as imposing as it may look.

Scratch On!

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