Job loss can be filled with mixed emotions; it can be an opportunity for change or the beginning of an uncertain path. Either way, losing a job is more common than you might think, and it doesn’t define you. We’re here to help.
Redundancy can occur when an employer becomes bankrupt, or no longer needs the specific role the employee fills. It can often be part of cost cutting measures and restructures in a business.
Redundancy notice periods may begin at one week, for those who have been working at a company for a year or less, and stretch to four weeks, for those who’ve been employed longer than five years. You may also be entitled to redundancy pay. Check out the NZ Govt fair works site or contact NZ Community Law to understand your rights in this situation.
While you’re in the process of finding a new job, your finances might be impacted. To help you during this difficult time, try setting up your budget and examine your living expenses - mortgage, credit cards, direct debits, insurance, utilities and weekly activities. Are there any expenses that can be reduced?
Our budget calculator can give you good insights into creating a personal budget or reviewing your outgoings.
We can also help build money management skills through our free Managing Your Money workshops and webinars.
You may prefer to speak to an independent financial adviser:
If you’re wondering how to get help from Work and Income the easiest way to do this is online. Use their 'Check what you might get' tool to find out what type of help you may qualify for. They’ll ask some questions, and at the end, tell you the payments they think you might be able to get.
Looking for a new job can feel daunting. Below are some tips and resources that can help you be more prepared.
Things to do:
Other helpful resources:
The way to stand out when applying for any role, is with your CV and cover letter. Your CV (sometimes known as a resume) lists your skills and experience.
How would you describe yourself in 2 minutes? How would you describe your skills to an employer in a job interview and show examples of them at work? While talking about your experience, give examples of how your contributions made a difference to your company’s or client’s work. Practice speaking at home and don’t forget about maintaining good body language. Eye contact, posture and tone of voice are extremely important during a job interview.
While previous skills and experience are at the forefront of your job hunt, you need to let your personality shine. In an interview setting, employers are most likely going to ask about you, hobbies and your work/life balance. Think about how these traits relate to the role? How would they make you a productive and fun member of their team?