Take Our Career Matching Quiz
Trustpilot
01273 907 919
Est.2010
01273 907 919
+44

You must be 18+. Finance options available.

Changing Career

Why and How to Change Career After Redundancy – a Complete Guide

As a Career Consultant, I'll explain how to turn redundancy into an opportunity for growth, retraining, and a more rewarding career path.

10 min read
Get advice on re-starting your career

Redundancy can be one of the most unsettling experiences in a person’s working life. It’s not just about losing a job — it can feel like a loss of routine, identity, and security.

While the initial shock is difficult, redundancy can also become a turning point. For many people, it sparks a reassessment of priorities and opens the door to a complete and rewarding career change.

I've worked in career consultancy and recruitment for several years; I know very well how difficult redundancy can be, but also how much of an opportunity it can offer. In fact, I'm pretty sure 100% of the people I've helped through a redundancy have said afterwards that they are much happier in their role (and life!) than they were before it happened. Talk about "blessing in disguise".

In this guide, I'll walk through everything you need to know about changing career after redundancy — from dealing with the emotional impact to exploring new industries, retraining, and ultimately finding a role that feels more rewarding than the one you left behind.

Talk to an expert about your next career move

Written by

With 10 years under my belt at Learning People I've seen and spoken to people from all walks of life and helped them get into exciting tech and IT roles.

Stuart CrangSenior IT Career Consultant
Stuart Crang

What's on this page?

Jump to:

Understanding redundancy and its impact

Redundancy happens when an employer needs to reduce staff numbers, restructure, or cut costs. Importantly, it is not a reflection of your performance or value as a professional — it is about the role, not the person.

As a Career Consultant, this is the first crucial thing I try to get people who have just been made redundant to understand. Many take redundancy as a huge blow to their confidence, and this can affect how effective they are at finding a new position. But the truth: it shouldn't.

That said, redundancy often brings up difficult emotions:

  • Shock and disbelief – especially if you feel like it came out of the blue and you weren't expecting it.

  • Anxiety about finances – concerns over paying bills, mortgages, or supporting yourself or a family tend to be number-one concerns of the people I speak to.

  • Loss of confidence – questioning your own skills or career choices is common if your brain goes into a "how did I end up here?" headspace.

  • Frustration or anger – particularly if the redundancy feels unfair, or if it affected you but not your peers.

Acknowledging these feelings is an important first step. Many people find talking with friends, family, or a careers advisor helps them process the situation and regain perspective.

As much as you can, I would advise you to give yourself space to reflect and work through these feelings. I know that finding a new job will likely feel very urgent, but even giving yourself just a few days (if not longer) to process what's happened and how you're feeling can help you move to the next step with focus and clarity...

...because the next step is moving your attention from the past to the future of your career.

It's not you, it's the economy...

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the UK redundancy rate for April–June 2025 stood at 3.6 per 1,000 employees, with an estimated 107,000 workers made redundant in that quarter. 

Try to remember this isn't just your story; redundancy is never personal. Thousands of talented people across the country are going through similar experiences right now.

Lightbulb Padding

Why redundancy can be the perfect time to change career

Although it may not feel like it at first, redundancy can be an opportunity. In fact, in my long experience as a Career Consultant, it almost always is.

Many people stay in roles for years simply because they feel safe, even if they’re unfulfilled. Redundancy removes that inertia and can give you the push to make a positive change.

Some reasons why this can be the right time to switch careers include:

  • Space to reflect – without the day-to-day demands of your old role, you have time to step back and think about what you really want.

  • Financial support – redundancy packages, statutory redundancy pay, or government retraining schemes can provide a cushion while you transition.

  • Growing industries – areas like tech, cyber security, cloud computing, and project management are actively seeking skilled workers, with plenty of training pathways available.

  • Long-term resilience – shifting into a field with strong job security helps future-proof your career.

You might be surprised to learn that pretty much every single person I have advised through a post-redundancy career-change have said they ended up happier after the experience than they were before. Another way to say this: for almost all of them, redundancy ended in highly positive outcomes.

I spoke to my team leader Chris Ide, who has been in the career consultancy game for several years, to get his opinion on how redundancy can be a time of change and opportunity. 

 

As a Career Consultant who has worked with dozens of people who have been made redundant over my career, there's one point that's the same for all of them: when I get them to really think about it, they realise they weren't 100% happy in their previous role, and they can envision a better job for them in the future.

Whether it's about finding a job security or future-proofing your career, it's important to remember that while change can be unsettling, it can also be the catalyst for new and better opportunities.

I understand why redundancy can feel like a setback, but I've learned from years of experience in career consultancy that for many, it's a valuable redirection toward industries where demand is growing, skills are valued, and opportunities are abundant.

Tech continues to grow and evolve rapidly, offering pathways that are both resilient and forward-looking. In fact, the areas with the greatest skills shortages—Data, Cyber Security, and Artificial Intelligence—are crying out for new talent!

Chris Ide Cutout 1

Chris Ide Technology Career Consultant (Team Manager)

 

So, how is it done? How do you move from shock and disbelief to thriving in a new role? 

A Learning People Career Consultant would be happy to give you bespoke advice and support you through this process if you book a call, but I've also written out the key steps below, as best as I could put it based on my experience.

Step 1: Take stock of your situation

Before rushing into applications, pause to evaluate where you are and where you’d like to go.

I wrote above that even if you feel pressured to rush into a job search, you should give yourself at least a few days (if not weeks if you can afford to) to reflect on your situation and set yourself up for success before you dive into job boards and recruiters' inboxes. 

Once you feel you have a handle on your mental and emotional wellbeing, and want to move to planning mode, here are the main things to think about:

  1. Review your finances – understand what redundancy pay, savings, or benefits you can access. This will shape how quickly you need to find new work or whether you can afford to retrain.

  2. Audit your skills – make a list of your transferable skills, such as project management, communication, problem-solving, or leadership.

  3. Reflect on your values – what do you want from your next role? Higher salary, better work-life balance, more creativity, or a sense of purpose?

  4. Set broad career goals – even if you don’t know the exact role, define the kind of lifestyle and career satisfaction you’re aiming for.

Step 2: Explore your career options

The next stage is research. Explore industries and roles that align with your interests and strengths. Some tools and strategies include:

  • Career assessments – online quizzes, or even better government-backed skills matchers like MyCareerMatch, can suggest suitable paths.

  • Industry research – look at job boards, salary surveys, and reports about growing sectors.

  • Informational interviews – reach out to people already in roles you’re curious about to get first-hand insights.

  • Career consultants – professionals can guide you towards sectors where demand is high and training is accessible. You can book a free call with one of our Career Consultants here.

Popular industries for career changers

Certain fields are particularly welcoming to people changing careers.

As my colleague Chris mentioned in his quote above, there are certain tech sectors that are crying out for candidates to fill tens-of-thousands of roles across the UK.

  • Tech and IT – coding, data analysis, and software testing roles value transferable problem-solving skills.

  • Cyber security – demand for cyber professionals is growing rapidly, with clear training pathways such as CompTIA certifications.

  • Cloud computing – cloud infrastructure specialists are in high demand across industries.

  • Project management – ideal for people with organisational and leadership skills, regardless of industry background.

  • Business analysis – bridging the gap between business needs and technical solutions.

Is AI to blame for widespread redundancies in the UK?

It would be easy to blame AI for redundancy trends, and yes, the Financial Times has illuminated that more than half (51%) of UK business leaders plan to invest in AI rather than hiring, driven by rising employer costs and the need to boost efficiency amid uncertainty.

But the real answer is much more complicated. AI isn't taking the jobs; it's changing them and creating new ones. Those who decide not to panic and instead prepare by learning AI skills are the ones that will truly future-proof their careers. That's why every one of our Learning People course pathways include AI skill training.

Take a look at our comprehensive guide to how AI is impacting the UK job market and how you should prepare for these shifts. 

Lightbulb Padding

Step 3: Identify and fill your skills gaps

If you’re moving into a new sector, you may need to retrain. In fact, I would certainly factor this into your career-change plan right at the start.

This can sound daunting, but there are accessible routes designed for adults who are mid-career. Many of these allow you to "earn and learn", meaning you can learn part time while holding another full-time job. They also offer flexible, online learning. 

  • Short courses and certifications – many industries recognise professional certifications, for example,

  • Online learning platforms – flexible, self-paced options mean you can fit study around family or part-time work.

  • Government and employer funding – in the UK, there are schemes like Skills Bootcamps or apprenticeship routes open to adults.

  • Private training providers – organisations like Learning People specialise in helping career changers get qualified and career-ready in tech and project management.

When choosing training, make sure it includes:

Step 4: Rebuild your confidence

Redundancy can knock your self-belief, but confidence is critical when changing careers.

No matter how many times I tell people that redundancy isn't personal, that it was about the role and not them, I see them continue to struggle with a confidence dip after being let go.

I do what I can as a Career Consultant to help them rebuild their confidence before jumping back to the job market, and I advise that they dedicate some time to rebuilding their self-belief, too.

Here are some ways to rebuild it:

  • Celebrate your past achievements – write down successes from your old role to remind yourself of your strengths.

  • Learn and apply – completing certifications or short courses boosts both skills and confidence.

  • Volunteer or freelance – gaining practical experience in your new area builds credibility.

  • Positive mindset – surround yourself with supportive people who encourage your transition.

Step 5: Refresh your CV and LinkedIn profile

When applying for roles in a new field, your CV and online presence must highlight transferable skills.

Our Career Services team at Learning People offers a comprehensive (and free) program to help people looking to build up their CV and LinkedIn profiles after retraining or looking to change career.

This service is available to anyone who decides to train and gain certifications with us (well, once they've passed an exam!) but below are just some of the top tips they give:

  • Tailor your CV – focus on achievements and skills relevant to your new industry, not just job titles.

  • Add new qualifications – showcase any recent training or certifications.

  • Use the right keywords – research job adverts and mirror the terminology they use.

  • Tell your story – explain your redundancy positively, framing it as an opportunity to pivot into a more rewarding career.

  • Update LinkedIn – join groups, share insights, and connect with recruiters in your chosen sector.

Want a quick hack for finding your next career path?

Our scientific, government-backed career-matching quiz, MyCareerMatch, can offer your tailored recommendations for new career paths based on your answers to skills-based questions. 

It only takes a few minutes. Try it out as a first step in your career-change research and job hunting. 

Take Career-Match Quiz
Lightbulb Padding

Step 6: Prepare for interviews

Interviews after redundancy can feel intimidating, especially if you’re entering a new industry.

Here are some common questions to prepare for, and how to answer them:

  • “Why did you leave your last role?” – answer confidently, explaining the redundancy and focusing on the future.

  • “Why this career change?” – be ready to share your motivation and enthusiasm.

  • “How will your past experience help you here?” – highlight transferable skills with specific examples.

  • “What have you done to prepare for this role?” – point to training, certifications, or self-study.

Practise with mock interviews or career coaches to build confidence.

Step 7: Build a professional network

Networking is one of the most effective ways to uncover new opportunities.

I know that pro-active, in-person networking isn't everyone's idea of a good time; I've spoken to many people who admit that this feels out of their comfort zone for them, and they've even tried to avoid it in the past.

Rest assured, networking doesn't have to mean awkwardly introducing yourself to thousands of people at big events every week. You probably have people you already know that you could reach out to, and there are plenty of ways to connect and network virtually. 

After redundancy, I'd suggest focusing on:

  • Former colleagues – many roles are found through existing contacts.

  • Industry events and webinars – attend to meet professionals and hear about trends.

  • LinkedIn groups – engage in discussions and follow companies you’re interested in.

  • Career communities – some training providers give access to exclusive employer networks.

Step 8: Stay resilient during the job hunt

Finding a new career can take time. Stay proactive and keep momentum by:

  • Setting weekly goals for applications, networking, and study.

  • Seeking support from career services, recruiters, and career consultants 

  • Looking after your wellbeing through exercise, healthy routines, and scheduled downtime.

  • Focus on quality of opportunity over quantity. Your time is better spent identifying and applying for roles that tick all or most of your criteria, rather than a scattergun approach of applying for everything you could possibly be accepted for, even if many of the roles aren't a good fit. 

I know this is difficult to remember sometimes, but rejection is part of the process — every interview is practice and brings you closer to success.

Final thoughts: turning redundancy into opportunity

Redundancy is never easy, but I promise you, as someone who knows what they're talking about, this isn't end of the road, but the start of something better.

By reflecting on your strengths, exploring new industries, and taking advantage of training opportunities, you can rebuild your career on stronger, more fulfilling foundations.

At Learning People, we’ve helped thousands of people transition into tech and project management careers after redundancy. With the right certifications, one-to-one support, and access to our employer network, you can take control of your future with confidence.

If redundancy has left you at a crossroads, see it not as a setback, but as a chance to design the career and lifestyle you truly want.

Talk to a career change advisor

FAQs about changing career after redundancy

Sign up to our newsletter

Your Learning Partner! Join our newsletter for valuable resources, exclusive content, and continuous support on your learning journey.

Related Articles

View All News
View All News

Share this article

Don’t just take our word for it...

View all Trustpilot reviews