July 8, 2026
Finding out you've been made redundant is never easy.
Whether it came completely out of the blue or you'd been expecting it for months, it's a huge change. It can knock your confidence, leave you questioning your next move and make the job market suddenly feel much more intimidating.
The first thing we'd say is this:redundancy is not a reflection of your ability.
We've worked with hundreds of marketers, commercial leaders, digital specialists and SaaS professionals who have been made redundant over the years. Some have gone on to secure bigger roles, better salaries and companies that suited them far more than the ones they'd left.
If you've recently been made redundant, here's what we'd recommend.
If you only remember a few things, make them these.
Once the initial shock has settled, focus on the practical steps.
Check your redundancy package and notice period. Make sure you understand any holiday pay, benefits and contractual obligations.
Then give yourself a little breathing space before diving into job applications.
Many people immediately start applying for dozens of roles. It feels productive, but it rarely leads to better results.
Instead, spend some time deciding what you actually want your next move to look like.
Ask yourself:
Redundancy can be an opportunity to reset your career rather than simply replacing your last job with another one.
One of the biggest mistakes we see candidates make is treating job searching like a numbers game.
For senior marketing, commercial and customer roles, quality nearly always beats quantity.
Hiring managers want to see why you're right for their business.
Tailor your CV.
Tailor your application.
Spend time researching the company.
Ten strong applications are usually far more valuable than fifty generic ones.
Your CV shouldn't simply describe what your job was.
It should explain what difference you made.
Think about measurable achievements such as:
Whenever possible, include numbers.
A recruiter is much more likely to notice:
"Increased inbound pipeline by42%."
than
"Responsible for demand generation."
The same applies to LinkedIn.
Many recruiters will look there before they even open your CV.
This feels uncomfortable for lots of people.
It shouldn't.
A simple LinkedIn post saying you've been made redundant and are exploring new opportunities often generates introductions, referrals and conversations that never make it onto job boards.
People genuinely want to help.
Give them the opportunity.
Every recruiter has different areas of expertise.
If you work in marketing, digital, commercial, customer success or SaaS, it's worth building relationships withrecruiters who understand your market.
A good recruiter should be able to:
The relationship should feel collaborative rather than transactional.
Job searching doesn't have to be your only focus.
If you have time, use some of it to strengthen your profile.
That could mean:
You don't need to spend eight hours a day doing this.
Small improvements add up.
Keep it simple.
Be honest.
Don't apologise.
Something like this works perfectly well:
"My role was made redundant aspart of a wider business restructure. It gave me the chance to think carefully about where I can add the most value, and I'm now looking for a role where I can make a real commercial impact."
Interviewers hear this all the time.
They're far more interested in what you can do next than why your previous employer restructured.
Even strong candidates get rejected.
Sometimes another applicant has more sector experience.
Sometimes a business hires internally.
Sometimes budgets disappear halfway through recruitment.
None of those outcomes diminish your experience or your ability.
The right opportunity is looking for someone with your background. Your job is simply to keep putting yourself in front of those opportunities.
Searching for a new role can become all-consuming.
Try to keep some structure in your week.
Exercise.
Get outside.
See friends.
Celebrate small wins, whether that's a recruiter call, an interview invitation or simply finishing a CV update.
Your confidence is one of the first things employers notice.
Looking after yourself isn't a distraction from your job search. It's part of it.
No. Redundancy is incredibly common and usually reflects changes within a business rather than an individual's performance. Most hiring managers understand this.
It depends on your experience, your sector and the type of role you're looking for. Senior marketing and commercial positions often have longer hiring processes than more junior roles, so patience is important.
Yes. Being upfront about your situation helps recruiters understand your availability and support your search more effectively.
Absolutely. A professional post letting your network know you're looking can lead to introductions, referrals and conversations you wouldn't otherwise have.
Redundancy doesn't erase everything you've achieved.
The skills you've built, the campaigns you've delivered, the teams you've led and the relationships you've formed all come with you.
At Stonor Search, we work with professionals across marketing, digital, commercial and SaaS every day. We've seen first-hand that redundancy often becomes the catalyst for a better move, a stronger company and a more rewarding career.
If you've recently been made redundant and would like an honest conversation about the market, your CV or your next move, we'd be happy to help.
