Re: Redundant
 

Thanks for the info I'll bear it in mind when I sort out my CV :)

Happened this morning, nearly 17 years of service and I've been finished, about 30 people were let go today and most of those who went had over 10 years service.
Written to CSA, signed on online and have my interview tomorrow morning.
Spent a couple of hours looking for a job within my trade and nothing is out there.
Mind you if I want to drive 50 miles each way I could get a job with my skills for minimum wage :confused::rolleyes::confused:

Got a list as long as my arm for bits to do around the home, making a start with that tomorrow so I'll be trying to keep myself busy.

Re: Redundant
 

Presuming you'd be looking for something similar, try to identify companies operating in the same or a similar marketplace where your skills/knowledge will be directly relevant. Skills are transferrable, however, so don't rule out other sectors. Competitor companies are often another source of opportunities. I can't stress how important it is to be imaginative and proactive rather than reactive. There's nothing to be lost by applying for advertised roles but targeting potential employers directly offers a number of advantages amongst which is that it's a lot cheaper for the employer, which always goes down well. Networking and making use of other leads (e.g. local news articles) as to what may be going on where can help you target potential employers who may have something to offer, for example, because you've just read they've won a large contract. Believe me, lots of jobs are found by people who, through their own research, have put themselves in the right place at the right time. There's another benefit too - a psychological one - receiving a steady flow of rejections in respect of dozens of vacancies you didn't really want but decided to apply for is very depressing, so be selective about whom you apply to. If you have a number of applications on the go concurrently (some speculative*, others in response to advertised vacancies etc.) you avoid that awful feeling of having no hope. When it comes to job hunting, less is more.

* Speculative in the sense that you've approached a potential employer directly having done your homework on them as opposed to speculative in the sense that you've sent off 100 generic CVs to a list of names in a phone book.

Re: Redundant
 

One thing about sending out CVs, don't fold them put them in white A4 envelopes, yes it will cost more to post but it will look more professional, I also used 100/120gsm high quality paper (I was given some which a ream cost the same price as a box of 5 reams.

Also don't expect a response from everybody, of the 28 I sent out to company's in my field (Part -145 aviation company's), only 8 bothered to reply and one was a rolling contract which became full time.

Re: Redundant
 

Well 9 days after being made redundant I have some work which could quite well lead into a fulltime roll. Self employed at the moment and will be for the next month, then it'll be a week or so break then back full time. (fingers crossed)

The signing on process was a humilitating experience, I have no idea what I would do with the £72 pw. It would cover the mortgage & council tax and thats about it.

There was another round of redundancies at my old place and all thats left from a 60+ workforce are 8 office & 8 shop floor.

Its a shame that its gone, we made high quality furniture and now its being run until it ceases trading which will probably be within the next week.

The amount of experience, expertise and skill that has been binned is unquantifiable, 80% of the workforce were 10 years+ and about 4 of us were over 15 years.

Bad management and poor business decisions led to its downfall. I honestly thought I would end my working days there.

Re: Redundant
 

Glad you got some work I was made redundant nearly 3 years ago after 50 years of working (only 2 companies) was expected to live on £72.00 P/W (6 months only) and then live of my savings

Re: Redundant
 

Luckily I have never had to sign on but I can appreciate how soul destroying the whole process can be when you would give anything to not be in that position. So it's good to hear that there may be a light at the end of the tunnel alf. I too will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Re: Redundant
 

One would expect that the longer you paid in the longer you would be in receipt of contribution based benefits. Alas not the case.
This was the first time in about 25 years I was out of work. I was avaliable for work after signing on for 5 days, after I signed off I was told that there was a 7 day waiting time before benefits were paid. I havnt had any money for the last 7 weeks, what money we have is dwindleing fast.

Re: Redundant
 

Hope it works out for you mate. Any chance of starting something up with some of your old colleagues/contacts or isn't that something you'd want to do?

Re: Redundant
 

A couple of us have spoken about it before and although it would be nice to give it a shot the 50k + premesis startup is beyond our financial reach.
I do have a plan for something else but first I need a workshop at the bottom of the garden which with my redundancy I hope to build later in the year, wife permitting :D

Re: Redundant
 

Maybe the first thing you need to make is something for her then. :)

There may be financial help available out there - might be worth asking around. Sometimes sad events like this can turn out to be life changing for the very best of reasons. You could be millionaires in a few years and look back wondering why you didn't do it earlier... ;)

Don't forget my cut if you do make it big eh? ;)

Re: Redundant
 

:tu:

Del boy would be proud