The Marketing Hub

FAQ: I’ve just been made redundant,  what’s your advice?

14th November 2011

Q: I’ve just been made redundant and I’m in a bit of a state of shock. What should I do?

A: Redundancy has been a common occurrence in marketing over the past 3 years unfortunately however the market is starting to recover which is good news for marketers. So what can you do about it?

You can kick off with the obvious: Check job sites, employers own sites, recruitment consultants’ sites. There’s likely to be limited availability, but keep checking so you’re first to see them advertised when they’re posted. Ensure your CV is ready to go now, is strong and achievement oriented and is tailored to each role-don’t use a generic version.

Perhaps you could work on a consulting basis or on a short term contract? Developing your online presence, joining something like LinkedIn, or accessing your university alumni site could help with this.

Ensure you get ready for the changing market- companies will ultimately need marketers who can help reorient strategy and drive sales and profit. Now is the time to develop your commercial and customer expertise. “Fluffy” marketers are those that are likely to suffer most in 2012. Build your digital skills. There are many training programmes available-but you can also build knowledge at low cost by reading relevant books or by downloading training podcasts. 

Also, use this opportunity to stand back and really think about what you want. What did you love about your previous roles, what did you hate and why? What key skills sets did you have- both marketing and softer skills? Think laterally about where these skills and interests might be best applied in the future. Use a few business minded friends or contacts to run a mini workshop, with you and your personal brand as the product to hone.

If you can afford it you could use the opportunity to take time out-perhaps travel or volunteer abroad- and come back invigorated when things have settled more.

You could also usefully volunteer your marketing skills to charity while you search. Check out some of the marketing for charity projects on our site  and add some real value to a real cause. It’ll help them, help you keep your CV full and will keep you motivated. 

Sandra Lawler
Managing Director

Send your questions to us:

If you have a question or an issue you would like our advice on the please send it to marketinghub@alternatives.ie.