How to handle job loss and reinvest in your own personal brand and network
When Natalie MacDonald read an email from head office explaining that her position had been made redundant, it felt as if her heart, stomach, and financial security had collectively left her body.
“The problem with being made redundant, as a then 36-year-old mother of two, just six weeks after returning from parental leave, is that it’s not just about you. It’s also about having both of your children sound asleep in the shared bedroom next door,” she recalls.
content strategist He had been working at LinkedIn for seven years when he received an email informing him that he was being laid off. Now, nine months later, he reflects on what the experience was like.
“At 3 a.m., I was sitting on my kids’ bedroom floor, mentally doing the math in the apartment we rented, and deciding then that we should probably move back to our old house, even if it meant being outside the catchment area of the school we’d spent years planning for our son,” MacDonald says.
He researched redundancy legislation, tried to estimate what his payout would be, and try to avoid questions he might have to ask in a meeting with his boss the next morning.
“Over the days, weeks, and frankly months of shock, I repeatedly reverted to checking what I could—a response mechanism I’m sure many people can relate to,” he says.
268,000 Australians were made redundant last year; This marked the highest figure since the post-pandemic recovery.
“People say losing a job closely mirrors the five stages of grief. But interestingly, I largely skipped the bargaining and guilt stage.”
Like many people who experience layoffs, she decided to post about her experience on LinkedIn, even though it was the employer who terminated her role.
It’s not something anyone likes to think about, but layoffs are possible for anyone in an employed position, especially given the much tougher economic conditions this year.
It is no longer a last resort for business restructurings; Instead, it has become a regular feature of the employment landscape as businesses deal with economic pressure and structural changes in consumer demand.
268,000 Australians were made redundant last year. mark the highest This is the number since the post-pandemic recovery.
This year, workers already struggling with the high cost of living are being laid off as employers grapple with cost cutting, AI adoption and broader cost-cutting strategies across a variety of industries.
Major banks and technology and corporate services companies have also recently announced layoffs. Football Australia announced it would lay off 20 per cent of its workforce due to major financial loss, triggering internal restructuring.
WiseTech Global It is also deciding on large-scale layoffs following the loss of one of its largest customers.
But being told your role is no longer available can be a particularly crippling experience for high performers who are loyal to their organisation, says Sophea Heng, director of recruitment firm Heng & Hurst.
He has seen hundreds of people work through redundancy over the years and admits it can be a heartbreaking experience.
“The market moves quickly, and many top candidates advance through referrals, meaning the last time they formally applied for a position may have been years ago. Things have changed, so manage your expectations,” says Heng.
“The more senior you are, the fewer roles there are, so allow up to six months to find a new role.”
MacDonald’s advice to others is to move and be outdoors as much as possible.
“It can be tempting to hide and lick your wounds. And honestly, you probably need some time to process all of this. But eventually you’re going to have to re-enter the world,” he says.
Read content from leaders you admire and begin to think about them through the lens of your own experience and expertise. Share what you’ve learned and start reinvesting in your own personal brand and network, he says.
“Attend events or workshops if possible, leverage online resources, or simply engage in conversations happening in your industry or even industries you are considering getting involved in.”
