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Why should we choose you?

The photo shows a group of jobseekers crossing the bridge successfully, reflecting the idea of reaching your potential and becoming the best possible candidate for the job.

How will redundancy affect you?

Most of us enjoy camaraderie in our work place and feel good if our efforts are valued. But what happens when redundancy changes your routine and you find yourself at home all day, possibly alone?  We’ve all grumbled that there’s never had enough time to do the things we wanted to do, but suddenly having time on your hands may not be as motivating as you thought it might be. Redundancy can come as a shock and it can give our self confidence a knock.

What do future employers think of unemployed candidates?

The Institute of Leadership & Management commissioned some research entitled “Bouncing back - attitudes to unemployment”  which found that 84% of managers thought a candidate’s employment status was irrelevant as, in the current climate, it isn’t an indicator of ability or performance.  However, candidates that remain unemployed for 6 months or longer will find it more difficult to as 28% of employers are less likely to take on someone they consider to be long-term unemployed.

How can you make yourself employable?

You need to aim to find employment within 6 months and take positive steps to increase your chances of being offered a job.  The research identified the three most important things you should be doing, namely:

  • studying for a relevant vocational, or academic, qualification
  • keeping up-to-date with industry developments
  • undertaking voluntary work

Why do voluntary work?

You are unlikely to be spending all your working week keeping up to date with industry developments, looking for jobs, writing applications and attending interviews, and the research show that employers like candidates that undertake voluntary work.
Redundancy was the nudge I needed to set up my own company, but I knew that to start with I’d struggle sitting at my desk five days a week.  So, for the first three months I worked as a Volunteer Ranger with the South Downs Joint Committee.  I enjoy walking and cross country running so voluntary work that enabled me to help maintain something I cared about was important to me.   As well as learning a great deal about all sorts of things, I’ve enjoyed great team work and camaraderie, lots of banter, lots of fun and met some really interesting people. Now my business is up and running I still take the occasional day off from my day job to spend a day as a volunteer ranger.

How can I find out about volunteering opportunities?

You’ll find lots of volunteering opportunities if you search for them on the internet database.

Good luck!


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About The Author

This article was written by Sarah Matthews MCIPD of SFM Consulting


Author Profile

Sarah Matthews set up SFM Consulting in September 2009 to provide small and medium sized businesses with effective business management and human resource solutions.

A business will never reach its full potential if the key people spend their time on non-core activities. For example if you are a legal practice charging clients £200 per hour, spending time on HR activities, for which you have no qualification and limited experience, is not best use of your time.

If this is your situation, or you are over stretched, or you are having to take on responsibilities outside your experience or comfort-zone, then considering engaging an advisor with operational and HR experience at a senior level, within businesses from 5 to 250 staff, is a solution.
SFM Consulting provides companies around Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey with an experienced colleague to provide consultancy, advice, implementation and support.

Logo for SFM Consulting Sarah Matthews MCIPD

Author's Contact Details

Sarah Matthews MCIPD
SFM Consulting

Telephone: 01428 644010
email »
SFM Consulting website »

AllWestSussexJobs are very grateful to Sarah Matthews MCIPD and SFM Consulting for taking the time to provide this advice, please use the contact details above if you'd like to contact SFM Consulting.

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Legal Disclaimer: Please note that this information is not intended to be exhaustive or be a substitute for legal advice. The application of the law in this area will often depend upon the specific facts and you are advised to seek specific advice on any given scenario.