UbUMade redundantFinding workTalking to employers
Made redundant · Finding work · Talking to employers
Being made redundant is not a mark against you.
What to say to recruiters and employers, what they are really asking, and how to say it without apologising.
The worry.
The fear is that “made redundant” will sound like “there was something wrong with him”. It is not the same thing. Redundancy means the role went. The decision was about the job, not about you. Even so, recruiters can sound judgemental: why you, how many people, was it only you. It can feel as though being let go was your downfall. It was not. What they listen for is how you talk about it.
What they are really asking.
“Why did you leave?” is rarely a trap. They want to know three things. Was it about your performance? Are you bitter about it? Are you ready for this job? Answer those three, calmly, and the question is finished.
Say it once, plainly.
State the fact. Say it without an apology, without a long explanation, and without a word against the old company. Then move to what you want next. The longer the explanation, the more it sounds like guilt.
Do not hide it.
Do not say you “left to explore options” if you were made redundant. It tends to come out, and the dodge costs more than the fact. Say “redundancy” only if it was redundancy, and say it plainly.
The questions you will get
- “Why you?”“The business cut [the team / a layer of management], and my role was one of those removed.” Say what happened to the role. Do not defend yourself.
- “How many people?”Give the number if you know it: “About [number] roles across [the area].” If you do not know, say so. Do not guess.
- “Was it just you?”If it was: “Yes. My role was removed when [the work moved, merged or stopped].” Same calm tone. A role can be the only one of its kind.
- The question under the question“Is there a risk with this person?” Answer it with a result you are proud of and a reference who will back you.
If a recruiter sounds judgemental, that is their habit, not a fact about you. Give the same calm answer every time.
Try one thing today
Write your sentence today. One or two lines. Say it out loud once.
Eight steps to say it well.
Write your sentence, and say it aloud.
“My role was made redundant when [the company restructured]. I am proud of [one result], and I am looking for [what makes you smile]. That is why this role interests me.” Say it ten times before the call.
Why: The first time you say it should not be in the interview.
Keep it under thirty seconds.
Fact, one line of context, one thing you are proud of, then the future.
Why: Short sounds settled. Long sounds guilty.
Never run down the old company.
Even if they deserved it. “It was a difficult period for the business” is enough.
Why: It makes the listener wonder how you will talk about them.
Turn it towards what you want next.
End on what you are looking for and what you bring.
Why: It moves the question from why you left to why you.
Ask your old manager for a reference now.
Ask a manager or colleague to say, in writing, that the role went and what you delivered. A LinkedIn recommendation works too.
Why: A line from someone who knew your work settles the question before it is asked.
With recruiters, be clear and easy to place.
Say the kind of role, where, the salary range and when you can start. Ask what they need to hear to put you forward.
Why: Agency recruiters are paid when an employer hires. Make the match easy.
Ask what they are seeing in the market.
How is the demand for your skills? Which employers are hiring? Good recruiters will tell you.
Why: It turns a pitch into a conversation, and you learn something.
If someone treats it as a mark against you, move on.
Thank them and go. If a question touched your age, health or family plans, or you think you were treated unfairly, ring the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Why: You want a next role with people who understand that roles go, not people.
Where to go
- Acas: helpline and adviceAcas explains discrimination law in recruitment, and the helpline is there if you need it.
If it is heavier than this: Samaritans, free, any time: 116 123. CALM, for men, 5pm to midnight: 0800 58 58 58. All helplines →