Bouncing back

/ 01 June 2009

Getting back on track

It seems that in any crisis, there’s no shortage of gurus and experts offering advice and support.  Sometimes the advice is helpful and at other times it muddies the waters and smacks of opportunism.  Thankfully, Janet Davies comes across as one of the most productive and clear purveyors of practical wisdom on the subject of redundancy, its effects on people and significant ways to map out a route to a better future.

This book offers clear and calm information on how to deal with the shock and emotions of sudden job loss, how to reassess finances and costs of living, how to use redundancy-enforced ‘free time’ to the best advantage and how to see the potential disaster of redundancy as a springboard to life changes and new opportunities.

It gives step-by-step guidance on the construction of effective CVs, useful tips on job-hunting, the power of networking and the importance of good interview preparation and performance.  It also explores the possibilities of self-employment, getting qualifications for a new trade, freelancing and working abroad.  There are many addresses, web links and other contacts throughout the pages and lots of straightforward analysis on how to cope with the aftershock of redundancy and how to act sensibly and positively.

As someone who has had two redundancy experiences in a long career, I’m well practiced in spotting useful advice that isn’t patronising, stuffy or full of platitudes or jargon. At the time of my job losses, I wish there had been a book like this to help me make sense of it all.

For anyone who finds themselves thrown overboard by employers and left floundering in troubled waters, this book is a lifebelt. Grab it!

Reviewed by Joe Cushnan