Let’s face it, there isn’t a newspaper journalist alive who isn’t worried about losing their job.
What often gets forgotten is that redundancies don’t just affect those who leave. Many others get caught up in the full force of the selection and consultation process.
It seems perverse, but those who walk out the door usually feel a sense of relief – at least they know where they stand. But it’s those left behind who have to live with uncertainty, fear, often guilt, and the empty seats of their friends and colleagues.
It’s not unkind to say that many people going through a redundancy process act like rabbits caught in the headlights – that’s often how they describe it. You’re in limbo; it’s uncharted territory; emotions are confused; the clock stops; you bury yourself in work as if nothing is happening. The next thing you know, you wake up one morning without a deadline to meet.
That’s why, if you still have the chance, now’s the time to do FIVE THINGS that will help put YOU in control.
1. BE PREPARED
Understand the redundancy process clearly BEFORE it starts. Know your rights. Find out what you are entitled to.
Most people rely for information on others going through the process – they are the last people you should be listening to, for the reason stated above. Speak to those you trust who have already gone though it (they are not lepers and they will value speaking rationally about their experience). Look on your intranet, speak to your union or HR department (who are usually human beings and trustworthy, contrary to popular belief). Look online or go to the Citizens Advice Bureau. Reliable sources are easy to find.
Many journalists expect redundancy to be gladiatorial. It’s not – which often leaves them feeling somewhat confused and powerless. The most common statement I’ve heard from people receiving their final letter is a mildly bemused: “Is that it, then?”
You may not be able to determine the final outcome, but you do have influence over the way the meetings are held and the process is conducted. Be confident; be constructive. You DO have power.
2 SET GOALS AND STAY POSITIVE
Fear makes people (and organisations) slow right down. Don’t let it happen to you.
Visualise yourself in one year and happy – personally and professionally. Write down the three most important steps you need to take to get there. It’s corny, but it works. Do it now.
Your search for a new job starts TODAY. Get RSS alerts set up for job sites and agencies (a few links appear below), and make sure your CV is polished. The experience will pay dividends whatever happens.
Journalists undersell their talents. Stop thinking of yourself as ‘just a journalist’ and start behaving like a brand. What makes YOU different? Know it, believe it and be proud of it.
Recognise that no-one has the right answers out there any longer, so LEARN, LEARN, LEARN every new skill and innovative approach you can.
Balance every gloomy story you read about job cuts in the regional press with a blog post bursting with ideas for the future – you might start with a few of these. And stick to positive people like glue. Negative people will bring you down.
3. PUT YOU AND YOURS FIRST
Redundancy can and does wreck the strongest relationships. And don’t say ‘it won’t happen to me’ if you haven’t been there.
Here’s what to do. Take your loved ones for a well-deserved day out or meal and start talking honestly about your hopes and fears for the future. And don’t stop talking.
Don’t put off visiting family, friends and long-lost university pals a moment longer. Why? Because being made redundant can feel like you’re letting others down just as much as yourself. You feel guilty about getting in touch with them, and the last thing you need is sympathy. So you don’t.
But we need each other. A lot more than you think. Go get your life-props in place.
Last point: You’re working bloody hard, office morale’s not great, and you’re taking your worries home every night. For goodness sake, take your holiday while someone else is paying for it, recharge your batteries, stay healthy and enjoy.
4. MONEY
The obvious one. If you don’t do it already, set out a monthly budget spreadsheet with every penny of your income and expenditure. If you don’t know how to, ask the bank. What would it look like if your salary disappeared? How long will your redundancy money last? What about your pension? Have you considered mortgage protection?
Get advice – there’s plenty free out there – and GET ORGANISED. You’ll sleep easier.
5. NETWORK LIKE HELL
It’s a fact that you probably know the person who will give you your next job (or freelance assignment).
Make sure your contact book is up to date with email address and phone numbers – you’ll want to strike while the iron is hot if you leave (and consider buying your own domain name for a few coppers – it looks more professional than Hotmail. I can recommend Names).
Make a list of contacts who might be able to help your job search, directly or indirectly: local business and community leaders, former colleagues, press officers, contacts in PR and contract publishing. Go out of your way to meet them or call them for an informal chat. Just keep in touch. Think of everyone you interview or meet from now on as a link.
Get involved in online networks such as LinkedIn and Facebook. And do a Google search for inward marketing – it can help get people knocking on YOUR door.
Speak to any recruitment professional and they’ll say two of the three secrets to finding your perfect role are networking and communication. Think about it. That’s what we do better than anyone else – it’s our job. The skills you already have are gold dust.
The third secret is having a clear goal. So what are you waiting for?
Redundancy is never easy. I’ve seen both sides of the story. But don’t forget, it’s a beginning, not an ending.
Good luck. If I can help, give me a shout.
UK JOB RESOURCES
- Guardian Jobs
- Journalism.co.uk
- Hold the Front Page
- UKPG
- Formula Won
- Jobs 4 Journalists
- PFJ
- Xchangeteam
- Media Recruitment
- Inspired Selection
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Great advice, Dan – especially the bit on thinking about yourself as a brand. Sometimes, though, you need to take that concept further – rather than just focus on getting another job, any job.
Journalists underestimate how many skills they already have that make them natural entrepreneurs – look at Danny Kelly with Bet365. Redundancy might be the push you need to chase that idea you always had for a great product, website, magazine (http://bit.ly/11mhXo). Learn from your employer’s mistakes!
This is such an excellent and thought-provoking post.
I would like to follow it up on my blog at http://www.freelancewritingtips.com with five things to do *after* you are made redundant.
Ten years ago after the birth of my daughters I left the Express & Star and have learned lots of lessons in how life can treat freelance journalists/writers/people going into business for themselves, if that’s the path they choose.
The first month I went properly freelance I earned a whopping £160 from two days PR for a charity I’d previously volunteered for but have been able to progress from there to build a company and touch wood, we are keeping on, keeping on!
I very much feel that the work ethic inherent in someone used to jumping through hoops to file cracking copy on time, every time, to meet the demands of a regional newspaper can be a brilliant springboard to success in self employment. But there are a lot of potholes along the way.
Your blog post here has made me reflect that I would like to share my experience in the hope it can be useful to readers, I’m already taking training sessions which (touch wood again) have gone down a storm. Thank you.
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