How to Deal with Interviews After a Redundancy

For many people, the experience of being made redundant can be a soul-destroying one, severely knocking one’s confidence and self-esteem.

With downsizing and the current economic recession, redundancy is more common and no longer carries the social stigma it once had.  Luckily these days, being made redundant does not impact on your employability.

It is important to be proactive and positive while job-hunting after redundancy.  How to deal with job interviews about being made redundant may seem a daunting prospect, but the trick is to be honest about the circumstances of your redundancy.  Here are some tips on dealing with interviews.

1.      Before the Interview, Deal with Your Feelings

Deal with any feelings of failure, anger, humiliation, loss or rejection before the interview.   Failure to do so will impact your interview.   Even though you have been affected personally, understand redundancy is not personal.  Move on by focusing on making your skills marketable and current.

2.      Focus on Your Selling Your Skills and Experience

A potential employer is interviewing you for your skills and experience, and this is what you should focus on in the interview.  Otherwise, you would not have got the interview in the first place!  Save any discussion about the circumstances in which you left your previous job for later, after the employer has shown some interest in hiring you.

3.      Be Honest

Be honest answering questions about the circumstances of your redundancy.  Volunteer information and try to explain it in a factual way.  Give reasons such as downsizing, restructuring or a merger.  You may also have to explain what you did after being made redundant.  Focus on what constructive steps you took during this period.

4.      Focus on the Company and the Role on Offer

Don’t focus on being made redundant as the reason why you want the position.  Needing a job to pay the bills won’t impress the interviewer.  Ask questions about the culture of the firm and the responsibilities of the role.  Make sure you have done your interview preparation on finding about the firm and their products and services.

5.      Do Not Criticise Your Ex-Employer

It is best to avoid reflecting any negative feelings about your former employer.  You may come across as being a complainer or someone with a negative attitude.  Try to be objective about the situation your employer was in and the new possibilities that redundancy has opened up for you.

Being prepared for your interview and remaining proactive and positive will give you the confidence you need to succeed in your job-hunt after redundancy.  For more interview tips, visit our Candidate Resources section of our website.