On LinkedIn, you see the successes, happiness and cheers, a career is not always like that. There are challenges, redundancies and displacements. This is the first time I am open about this, it is an experience that changed my life personally and professionally.
Yes, I was made redundant in my 20s when an organisation I used to work for closed its operations due to losses (it is not on my LinkedIn profile). Also, went through the whole displacement exercise in Jaguar Land Rover’s worldwide restructuring exercise a few years ago. For those who don’t know, displacement is when a person needs to apply for new roles/reapply for his/her same role. It is not pleasant as you can imagine, you have to go through the whole consultation process and you are not sure where you will land in the new organisation (or if you will ever even land anywhere). It is when the organisation is being reshaped and it happens that it affects your reporting line for no fault of your own.
Result:
1. Got my accountancy qualification a couple of months after I got redundant in my 20s and went to work for the awesome HP.
2. Got promoted and led the data strategy for Jaguar Financial Services a year after my displacement (a brilliant part of Jaguar Land Rover where I got to add value and gain loads of data strategy experience)
For the people who are going through it:
1. Don’t question your skills, it is not you who got redundant/displaced but it is your role.
2. If you need time to process your feeling, do that and if you need help ask for it. We are humans and we react differently, there is no right or wrong when it comes to processing feelings.
3. If you are the type of person who wants to get on with it and take action do that. This was how I approached it and it worked for me. Got a lot of pushback from friends at that time but people are different.
4. Take care of your health and mind
5. Apply and learn, you are not the first or the last to go through this. Your reaction to it is what will define your future. This has taught me resilience, confidence and positivity. Your career is your choice, your actions and reactions define it.
For the people who haven’t gone through those exercises, if you have friends, family or candidates whom you are interviewing then the type of support you can provide is:
1. Listen
2. Provide advice, mentorship and coaching
3. Share opportunities
4. Be there for them
5. Be understanding
I was very fortunate to have people believing in me and supporting my career. Hope this post supports people going through the challenge. I know how it feels and will be here for you if you need a chat or advice. It is not easy but you are strong and will come out much stronger on the other side.
Figure It Out With Fatema 