Retrenchment not the end of a career

© Yong Hian Lim – Fotolia.com

"Retrenchment can be devastating, but it's important to stay proactive and positive," says Angelique Robbertse, marketing and product manager for Job Mail. "It may be the end of that particular job, but not your career."

Robbertse says that retrenched employees should be very clear about the circumstances of the retrenchment when updating their CVs. "Not every new employer will accepted retrenched as a circumstance beyond your control. If only a select number of people within the company was retrenched, you can expect an employer to ask why you were chosen in particular - and you need to have a valid answer, even if it's that the company had a 'last in, first out' policy."

Join online forums

The fact that so many employees are re-entering the job market means that even highly qualified individuals will have to compete for positions. "Stay up to date with the latest trends and be pro-active in managing your personal brand. The online world can be a great place for job hunting - join relevant forums and make yourself heard. Introduce yourself to market leaders and show them that you can think outside of the box by starting discussions or showcasing your work. Do not sit back and wait for them to come to you - go and find them. They need to keep you front of mind."

Unfortunately, for those close to retirement age, finding permanent work proves a more difficult challenge. "Temping or consultative work is ideal for those who are closer to retirement age. Consultative work will be best if you were once an expert in your field. Contact previous employers and see if they would be able to make use of your services on a part-time basis."

Do research

Robbertse says that individuals in stable jobs should not let the bleak figures deter them from changing jobs, but that they should be more cautious. "You need to do your research of the new company and especially their financial stability. The rule of thumb in retrenchment is 'last in first out'. Find out why they are hiring, what their staff turnover has been, why the person whose job you are filling has left. If there is any reason to suspect that there will be retrenchments in the near future, avoid it."

Robbertse says that the most important thing to do is to start job hunting as soon as possible, even if it means starting with a lower position or salary. "You can work your way up again, but the longer you stay unemployed, the worse it looks on your CV," she advises. "Make use of your existing networks. Stay in touch with former colleagues, clients and suppliers. If you did your job well, one of these people might be able to either refer you to someone or even hire you themselves."