Life After Redundancy: How Two Women Successfully Pivoted Their Careers

Redundancy is increasingly viewed by career experts not merely as a financial termination, but as a significant psychological “grief event” that forces a reassessment of professional identity. According to Ant Cohen, founder of career coaching firm Project Placed, the current surge in layoffs—particularly within the IT sector—has triggered a widespread trend where professionals are pivoting from corporate roles to entrepreneurship as a means of reclaiming autonomy and aligning work with personal values.

Why does job loss trigger a crisis of identity?

For many senior professionals, identity is deeply intertwined with corporate titles and daily routines. Betha Giorgi, a former senior director at Deloitte, describes the experience of being made redundant in 2024 as a descent into feelings of “worthlessness” despite her two decades of experience. According to Giorgi, the loss of structure often leads to panic-driven career decisions, where individuals rush into new roles to mitigate fear rather than evaluating long-term goals.

How can professionals manage the transition after redundancy?

Experts advise against the immediate “bounce back” approach. Ant Cohen suggests that individuals should prioritize basic well-being, such as exercise, family time, and hobbies, to avoid burnout during the transition. Maintaining a loose, self-imposed structure is essential to prevent the feeling of being overwhelmed. This period of “forced pause” often provides the mental clarity required to identify opportunities that were previously ignored due to the demands of full-time employment.

Is entrepreneurship a viable path after a corporate career?

The shift toward small business ownership is becoming a common response to involuntary job loss. Krish Waje, a former business analyst at global tech giant Qualtrics, transitioned to running her refillable candle company, Lunaire, after her entire team was made redundant. Like Giorgi, who pivoted to her skincare project Little Bay Beauty, Waje found that the redundancy served as a catalyst to “back herself” and commit to a vision that offered more flexibility and creative control.

What is the future of career flexibility?

The trend of “side-hustle maturation” suggests that more professionals are treating personal projects as viable career alternatives rather than mere hobbies. As corporate stability remains volatile, the move toward entrepreneurship is likely to grow. Both Giorgi and Waje highlight that the “chapter they didn’t choose” became the one that allowed them to build businesses they truly love. This shift indicates a broader movement where workers are increasingly prioritizing meaningful, flexible work over the traditional, linear corporate ladder.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is it normal to feel a loss of identity after being laid off? Yes. According to Betha Giorgi and Ant Cohen, it is a common psychological response to have one’s identity closely tied to a job title.
• Should I immediately look for a new job after redundancy? Not necessarily. Career experts suggest taking time to process the event to avoid making fear-based decisions that may lead to further dissatisfaction later.
• What is the most effective way to handle redundancy? Focus on maintaining a loose routine, prioritizing personal well-being, and reassessing your long-term professional goals before committing to a new employer.

Have you recently navigated a career transition or turned a passion project into a business? Share your experience in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more insights on modern career growth.