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#216: Jeanette Ramsden is the CEO and owner of The Curve Group where she provides HR and recruitment services to transform working lives. She explains the first steps to take if you’re made redundant, what types of jobs you should look for, and how to explain your redundancy to future employers.

What you’ll learn

• [02:16] The declining use of outplacements.
• [03:06] How outplacement packages help people who have been made redundant.
• [04:13] The personal impact of getting made redundant.
• [05:54] What an exit statement is.
• [08:10] How to explain why you got made redundant to prospective employers.
• [09:11] What to do if your employer tells you you’re being made redundant.
• [11:53] The risks of taking the wrong job when under financial pressure.
• [13:50] How to work out what job is right for you.
• [17:55] The mindset you need to sell yourself.
• [19:25] What to include in a 5 year career plan.
• [21:50] The danger of rushing into job applications.
• [24:15] How to avoid shiny object syndrome when looking for a new job.
• [27:09] The different ways coaching can help and how to access support.
• [30:00] How to use AI to help you identify your strengths.
• [31:23] Top tips for effective networking.
• [35:31] How to deal with rejection and setbacks.
• [39:46] What to do with your time when you’re out of work.
• [43:07] How effectively to use your existing network.

Resources mentioned in this episode
Please note that some of these are affiliate links and we may get a commission in the event that you make a purchase. This helps us to cover our expenses and is at no additional cost to you.

• Quote: “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”
• FollowUpThen

For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:

https://changeworklife.com/diy-outplacement-practical-steps-when-youve-been-made-redundant/

Re-assessing your career? Know you need a change but don't really know where to start? Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!

Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? Send us a text message!

#216: Dr. Elaine Smith is a clinical psychologist with over 15 years’ experience working in mental health. She explains the neurological benefits of disconnecting from work, how long it takes to relax, and why people find it difficult to disconnect from work.

What you’ll learn

• [02:05] The benefits of fully disconnecting from work when you’re on holiday.
• [04:40] What to do if you’re thinking about work when on holiday.
• [08:35] How being on holiday can affect how you feel.
• [10:15] The importance of a work-life balance.
• [11:50] Ways to reduce the stress around holiday planning.
• [13:42] How long it takes to relax properly.
• [15:47] How to get ready for a holiday.
• [17:36] When to start preparing at work for an upcoming holiday.
• [18:50] How to deal with the expectation that you’ll work on holiday.
• [27:26] What you should write an out-of-office message.
• [29:45] How people respond to seeing you’re not available.
• [32:31] Why people find it difficult to disconnect from work.
• [34:16] Techniques to reduce the amount of time you spend on your phone.
• [37:08] The ways smartphones affect our attention and the value of being bored.
• [38:50] How to resist the temptation to spend time on your phone.
• [41:20] How to make your return to work less stressful.
• [45:45] Introducing progressive muscle relaxation.

Resources mentioned in this episode
Please note that some of these are affiliate links and we may get a commission in the event that you make a purchase. This helps us to cover our expenses and is at no additional cost to you.

• Beat Annual Leave Anxiety course
• ScreenZen
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation

For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:

https://changeworklife.com/beating-holiday-anxiety-how-to-take-time-off-without-taking-work-with-you/

Re-assessing your career? Know you need a change but don't really know where to start? Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!

Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? Send us a text message!

#215: Graeme Jordan is a job application, CV and interview consultant. He explains what you should include in your CV, common mistakes people make when applying for jobs, and how employers screen job applications.

What you’ll learn

• [01:42] What role the CV plays in 2025.
• [03:25] How to get jobs that aren’t advertised to the general public.
• [07:08] What happens to your CV when you send it to an employer.
• [09:29] How employers use AI to screen CVs.
• [11:09] The different stages of review a CV goes through.
• [15:09] Common problems with the recruitment process.
• [19:21] What the application tracking system is and how it works.
• [23:06] How to improve your CV.
• [25:11] The type of jobs you should apply for.
• [25:43] What criteria to include in a job application.
• [28:28] What to include in your CV and how to keep it relevant.
• [30:37] How much you need to tailor your CV to each job.
• [33:30] Why you shouldn’t use the ‘easy apply’ feature.
• [36:14] How to format your CV and how long it should be.
• [38:16] What to include in a cover letter.
• [42:23] The sales skills you need to get a job.
• [44:30] Marketing techniques you can use to improve your CV.
• [51:52] How you should respond to a personality test in a job application.

Resources mentioned in this episode
Please note that some of these are affiliate links and we may get a commission in the event that you make a purchase. This helps us to cover our expenses and is at no additional cost to you.

• Surrounded By Idiots, Thomas Erikson
• Change Work Life Coaching

For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:

https://changeworklife.com/how-to-write-a-cv-in-the-age-of-ai-and-automation/

Re-assessing your career? Know you need a change but don't really know where to start? Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!