successfully navigating redundancy.
Redundancy. It’s a heavy word. Whether it was an unpleasant surprise or you saw it coming, experiencing redundancy can make you feel like the rug’s been pulled from under you.
But redundancy can and should be a powerful moment in your career story. It’s the turning of a page. And this next chapter for you deserves to be written with confidence.
It’s not only about finding a new job. It’s about rediscovering your worth, reconnecting with your strengths, and reigniting your career with intention.
Here are some thoughts to consider:
rebuilding confidence: you are more than your job title.
Redundancy can shake your confidence. It’s natural to feel uncertain, even lost. But it’s important to remind yourself that your value hasn’t changed. You are still the same talented, passionate, capable person you were before the news landed. The role you are leaving may no longer be needed, but the same does not apply to you. Take time to reconnect with your value.
give yourself space to feel and evaluate. Don’t rush immediately into applying for roles. Take a breath, think, talk, reflect. Allow yourself to adjust before moving forward.
list your successes and strengths. Think back to moments you’re proud of in your career; projects, feedback, promotions, challenges you overcame. Capture it all in detail, write it down.
reconnect with your ‘why’. Why did you choose hospitality? Why the discipline, path or role? What creates excitement or engagement for you? Remind yourself of that motivation and note it.
surround yourself with support. Spend time with friends, peers, trusted recruiters, and connect with your network in person and online.
Take time to remind yourself of who you are, what you have achieved, and all that you can bring to a role.
assessing your skill set.
Take stock of your skills and attributes. It’s easy to underestimate how valuable your abilities are, and when we are actively working in a role we rarely consider these things. So, before you take a next step, take time to understand; what do you love doing? What do people come to you for? What skills do you want to use more/less of in your next role? What are your strongest skills? Where is there room for growth? What skills might you have that have been underutilised in your previous job?
Build a picture of what you can bring to a role and where you’d like to focus.
creating a new cv.
Whatever your view on CVs, most employers ask to see them. Remember your CV is an expression of your value and the story of your career; it’s not a list of job titles. It should reflect your contribution, skills, and potential. And in hospitality, where personality and culture matter deeply, your CV should feel human, and be authentically you.
start with something personal. A few lines that capture who you are, what you bring, and what you’re looking for. Express yourself with confidence. Be authentically yourself.
focus on impact. Don’t just say you “managed a team”, say you “led a team of 15 to achieve 20% growth in customer satisfaction scores.” The impact doesn’t have to be evidenced with data, but find a way of illustrating the outcome, not only the task.
soft skills count. Emotional intelligence, adaptability, human-centred leadership; these skills matter especially in hospitality and should be highlighted and evidenced. How we behave is paramount, so find ways of showcasing that in your CV.
be adaptable. Different roles require you to highlight different things. Be ready to adapt your CV to highlight what’s most relevant to a role or employer.
keep it simple. Clear formatting, headings, and cut any excess wording. Make it easy to read.
If you’re unsure where to start, get advice from a recruiter. They will help with your CV but also, if they represent you well, will bring you to life for employers, way beyond the pages of your CV or LinkedIn profile.
getting interview ready.
Interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially after redundancy. But with a little careful preparation and practice, you’ll soon get into your stride.
know your story. Be ready to talk about your redundancy and your ambitions honestly and positively. Focus on what you learned and what you’re looking for next.
get used to talking about yourself. Who are you? What do you bring? Why this role? It can feel uncomfortable to talk about yourself in this way at first, so practice really helps. The more you do it, the more natural it will be.
· research the company and ask questions. Understand their values, culture, and recent news. Show genuine interest and have questions ready. Ask about team dynamics, growth opportunities, and company culture. Interviews aren’t just about being chosen. You’re choosing them too!
be yourself. Always be yourself, not who you think they want to see. Hospitality thrives on authenticity, and the right job for you will be the one that values you for who you are as well as what you can do.
how can I help you?
Job hunting can be overwhelming, especially after redundancy. It helps to have someone expert by your side who wants a positive outcome for you. My role as a recruiter is not to match CVs to roles, it’s to match brilliant people with purpose driven hospitality brands.
When I represent you in your job search, you can expect:
industry insight. After over 20 years in the business, you can be sure I’m close to the market, the trends, and the hidden opportunities. I understand the cultures and values of hospitality businesses and where people are best placed.
personalised, human-centred support. Human-centred hiring means you are at the heart of the process. I take time to understand you as a person; your goals and values, your skills and your story. You’re a person, you matter, and how you spend your time matters. This is always front and centre for me.
access to trusted employers. I work with incredible hospitality businesses that care about culture, growth, and people.
access to unseen roles. Most often the roles I recruit for don’t appear anywhere online. I work exclusively for employers, and the aim is to find the very best people for the very best roles, efficiently and with long-term results in mind.
integrity and discretion. Trust is everything, and I pride myself on integrity and discretion for everyone I represent.
cv and interview coaching. I’ll help you present your best self, as yourself.
Working with a recruiter should be about partnering with someone who’s invested in your success, can give you the best expert advice and support, and has access to the right roles for you. This is my specialism.
Redundancy can feel isolating. Don’t go it alone. Thousands of hospitality professionals have walked this path before you and come out stronger, wiser, and more fulfilled in roles they truly love. The same can and will be true for you with the right approach and support.
If you’d value help with your job search, let’s chat.