Jack’s Empowerment and Inspiration: 66. NETWORKING - Jack’s Redundancy Empowerment - empowering redundant workers - empowering redundant staff - Jack Lookman

Saturday, 29 November 2025

66. NETWORKING - Jack’s Redundancy Empowerment - empowering redundant workers - empowering redundant staff - Jack Lookman - Ola Carew

66. NETWORKING - Jack’s Redundancy Empowerment - empowering redundant workers - empowering redundant staff - empowering redundant employees - making redundancy work for you - is redundancy a dead end? - is redundancy the end of the road? - making the most of redundancy - empowering the redundant worker - Jack Lookman - Rita Nnamani - Olayinka Carew - Ola Carew - Jack Lookman Limited - Amebo - Ire o - Ire kabiti - Empowerment and Inspiration - Empowering And Inspiring Generations - Yinka Carew - Olayinka Carew aka Jack Lookman - Jack’s Empowerment and Inspiration

Networking feels intimidating for many people, especially after a redundancy that may have already shaken confidence. Yet reconnecting with people is often the single biggest turning point for UK workers trying to rebuild momentum. What makes networking effective is not the number of contacts added on LinkedIn but the quality of the relationships you reactivate or build.

The first layer of networking usually starts with people you already know. Old colleagues, past clients, course mates and even community contacts. Many UK workers underestimate how willing people are to help if you simply reach out and tell the truth about where you currently stand. Most people remember a time when they were struggling and often respond with empathy. A simple message such as “I’m exploring my next step after redundancy and would appreciate your insight” opens far more doors than trying to craft a perfect pitch. People lean into honesty. They lean into the human sharing of a moment. The key is not to ask for a job straightaway but to ask for perspective, advice or introductions that feel natural.

The second layer includes industry groups, professional associations and online communities. Platforms like LinkedIn, Meetup, Eventbrite and even dedicated UK job support groups offer a surprisingly active ecosystem of people who share opportunities freely. Many redundant workers attend their first event reluctantly and walk away realising they are not alone. They meet others who are navigating the same transition, and there is comfort in that mutual recognition. Some events focus on skills, others on hiring, others on business opportunities and freelance support. What matters most is consistent participation.

One often overlooked part of networking is the value of giving first. Many redundant workers panic and assume they have nothing to offer. But offering value is not about money or status. It can be sharing an article you found useful, recommending a training course, connecting two people who might work well together or simply encouraging someone who is having a difficult week. When you contribute to a network sincerely, people remember you. They feel a sense of relational reciprocity that naturally comes back around when opportunities appear.

Another important part of networking is learning how to talk about your transition without apology. Redundancy is not a personal failure but a business decision, often based on restructuring, budgets and organisational priorities. UK hiring managers know this. Recruiters know this. Colleagues know this. It is often the redundant worker who struggles to believe it. If you learn to explain your redundancy in a confident, factual sentence, people immediately respond differently.

Networking also becomes easier when you know what you want. You don’t need to have a perfect career plan, but you need clarity about direction. If you want a remote job, say it. If you want contract work to stabilise your finances while you decide your next move, say it. If you want to switch industries, explain what draws you to that direction. When people know what you’re looking for, they know how to help.

Thank you very much to all our readers. You are much appreciated.

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