In the past few months, I’ve had more conversations than ever with highly experienced professionals navigating the disorienting terrain of redundancy. From Microsoft and LinkedIn, to global development professionals at the United Nations and WHO, the common thread is unmistakable: they didn’t expect this. And even if they did, they didn’t expect it to feel so personal.
The recent mass redundancies in NGOs are a symptom of something much deeper: the fragility of even the most values-driven institutions in the face of shifting political will and funding cuts. In the corporate world, the undercurrent appears to be mergers, restructuring, AI integration, and cost-cutting cycles that are reshaping the workforce at an increasingly rapid pace.
As a career strategist and executive coach, I witness the emotional aftermath firsthand. Professionals are losing jobs and their belief in the meritocratic promise of work. However, new values and a new order are emerging. Let's take a step back and gain some perspective.
Redundancy is a Career Event, Not a Career Ending
For many, redundancy still carries the scent of stigma. However, in today’s economy, with careers spanning many decades, we all inevitably need to navigate both the lows and the highs. Careers are no longer linear, nor are they lifetime contracts with a single employer. They are portfolios and layoff moments, while painful, can be inflection points that reshape trajectories.
Yet few are prepared. Some rush to job boards, their resumes relics of a decade ago. Others freeze, unsure how to position themselves in a market that values agility, recency, and personal brand as much as experience. This is where I urge professionals to stop and reset.
What We’re Getting Wrong About Job Transitions
We often approach job loss as a logistical problem: updating the resume, applying for roles, and networking politely. But the real work is emotional and strategic. The professionals I work with are smart. They don’t need me to write their resumes. They need help rebuilding clarity and confidence.
Before they market themselves, they must answer: Who am I now? What do I want to leave behind from my last role? What am I no longer willing to compromise on? And importantly, what role does work play in my life now that I’m in my 40s, 50s, or 60s? Skipping this reflection is like renovating a house without inspecting the foundation. It may look polished, but it won’t hold.
The New Career Playbook: Stability Through Self-Authority
Here’s what I’ve learned from coaching hundreds through this process: The job market rewards those who claim authorship over their careers. That means:
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Knowing what you want and articulating it clearly
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Updating your resume and LinkedIn with intent, not just chronology
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Practicing your interview responses until they feel like stories you believe, not scripts you memorize
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Activating your network not for handouts, but for insight and visibility
Gone are the days when quietly doing excellent work was enough. Today, professionals must be visible, vocal, and proactive in their approach. Not performative, but present.
Networking Is Not Optional
One of the most enduring myths among my clients is that networking is sleazy or unnecessary. I tell them: your next role will likely come from a conversation, not a job ad. Job boards are crowded. ATS systems are blunt instruments. AI tools are filtering more aggressively than ever.
If you want to stand out, you need to be seen before the listing goes live.
This is especially true for professionals who have not job hunted in over a decade. The hidden job market is real. And it’s powered by people who know your name, your value, and your readiness.
A Word on Mental Health
Let’s not downplay the toll. Job loss is ranked among the top life stressors, just behind divorce and bereavement. And the job search itself (i.e., weeks of waiting, sporadic rejection, bursts of urgency) is psychologically brutal.
That’s why I emphasize structure: routines, self-care, movement, and breaks. Job seeking is a marathon with surprise sprints. If you’re not pacing yourself, you burn out before you land.
Where We Go From Here
The world of work is not going back to the way it was. Hybrid work is here to stay. AI is changing not just how we work but who gets hired. Institutional loyalty is weakening, and career resilience has become a critical skill set.
For corporate professionals, the message is clear: stop relying on your employer to define your worth. Start owning your narrative, cultivating your network, and building your visibility. Think like a leader in transition, not a job seeker in crisis.
And if you’ve been made redundant? Know this: you are not broken. You are in motion. With the right structure, strategy, and support, you may just find your next chapter is your best one yet.
You've Been Laid Off. Now What?
1. Processing the Layoff
The first step is acknowledging the emotional impact. Layoffs are deeply personal, even when cloaked in business rationale. Shock, anger, anxiety, and grief are all natural responses. Allow yourself to feel these emotions without judgment. You don’t need to bounce back immediately, but you do need to avoid staying stuck. When you feel ready, begin shifting from reaction to response. This means taking deliberate, strategic steps toward recovery, beginning with a solid financial and emotional foundation.
2. Financial Check-In: Clarity Before Action
Before you update your resume or scroll through job boards, it’s time for a financial reality check. Ask yourself:
- Do I understand my severance package?
- Am I eligible for unemployment or transitional support?
- What are my essential monthly expenses?
- How long can I sustain myself without income?
Create a short-term budget and identify what can be cut or deferred. The goal here isn’t to increase your anxiety, but to stabilize your situation. As I often say, clarity creates confidence. This clarity will serve as the foundation for your next steps.
It’s equally important to nurture your emotional well-being. Career change is a psychological journey. Use tools like journaling, therapy, walks, or meditation to process what has happened. Taking care of your nervous system will pay off when you begin job searching.
3. Career Reflection: Reset Your Direction
One of the most common missteps I see is jumping into job applications without taking the time for reflection. Before you start sending out resumes, stop and ask yourself:
- What do I want in my next role?
- What am I no longer willing to tolerate?
- What type of employer suits my current life stage?
This is especially crucial for professionals over 40 who want long-term alignment. Write down what has worked in your career and what hasn’t. Reflect on what energizes you and what drains you. This process helps you realign your career goals with your personal values and lifestyle needs.
4. Career Tools: Resume, LinkedIn, and Interview Prep
Once you’ve clarified your direction, it's time to upgrade your career tools. Most people skip ahead to this step, but without the foundational work, your tools won't be strong or relevant.
Start with your resume and LinkedIn profile:
- Focus on accomplishments, not just responsibilities
- Use metrics to showcase your impact
- Ensure your documents reflect who you are today, not who you were a decade ago
Optimize your LinkedIn headline and About section for searchability. Remember, recruiters and hiring managers use LinkedIn's search features to find candidates. Your profile must be optimized for both human readers and search algorithms.
Prepare your interview answers in advance. Practice speaking them out loud. This improves confidence and delivery. If you are pivoting to a new sector, tailor your experience to fit. If staying in your field, demonstrate recency and relevance.
Get feedback from someone outside your circle. A coach like me can provide strategic insights. While recruiters can be helpful, remember that they work for employers, not for you.
5. Networking: Your Best Job Search Tool
Job searching isn’t just about sending out job applications. It’s about people. Leverage your network. If you listened to Episode 292 with Troy Sultan, you're aware of the importance of standing out in a sea of applicants. His advice? Connect with people inside the organization.
Start by reaching out to former colleagues, mentors, or peers. Don’t ask for a job. Ask for advice:
- "I’ve been made redundant and am exploring next steps. If you were in my shoes, what would you do?"
- "Can you share insights on the job landscape at your company?"
You don’t need the perfect pitch. You need to re-enter the professional conversation. Networking is not about broadcasting your availability; it's about connecting with others. It’s about reconnecting privately, with clarity and confidence.
6. Job Boards
Job boards have their place, but focus your energy on strategic conversations, not just endless scrolling and cold applications. Let your network know what you’re exploring and ask for ideas.
7. Self-Care: Protect Your Energy
Job searching is both a marathon and a sprint. You may wait weeks between responses, then be asked to interview on short notice. It's emotionally exhausting, especially when you hear "no" more often than "yes." Without self-care, the job search process can erode confidence and well-being. So, build a routine that supports mental and physical health:
- Sleep well and wake consistently
- Move your body every day
- Step away from screens and nourish your mind
Listen to this week's episode:
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Listen now:
- Listen to the full episode on the podcast website
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Give your career a reset and walk away with a standout LinkedIn and resume.
If you purchase my short course, Reset Your Career, between now and the end of June, I’ll gift you a free 30-minute chat with me. Once you’ve completed the course and updated your LinkedIn profile and resume, we’ll meet to review your progress and refine it together. If you need to do anything extra, just enroll in the course, and I’ll contact you to organise our session. It’s a great opportunity to receive personalized feedback and ensure that your career documents are working effectively for you.
Time Out
- If you follow me on Instagram, you know I've just landed in Brazil, where I'll be working for the month of May while visiting my parents. On my way here, I did not watch any movies or read anything. I listened to American singer and songwriter Weyes Blood, Baby Rose, Vagus Nerve Healing music, and indie pop duo The Bird and the Bee.
- I have been listening to a lot of jazz. This is my favorite album at the moment: Chet Baker Trio Live From The Moonlight.
- I´m hoping to take my nephews to watch the new Wes Anderson movie this week, The Phoenician Scheme. I tried to convince them to see Mission Impossible or Karate Kid, but they turned up their noses. Kids these days are very cool.
If this newsletter helped you:
- Please help me raise awareness for the newsletter. You can forward it to other professionals who may benefit from it. I will be forever grateful to you. They can click here to subscribe.
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To your career success
RBX
Renata Bernarde | Career Coach | Host, The Job Hunting Podcast
