When the axe falls 

We all know someone who's been made redundant, but what if it happens to you? 

Workers at Scotland's Govan shipyard are celebrating an 11th- hour rescue bid which has saved the yard and its 1,200 jobs. Redundancy notices, which had already been posted for 241 staff, were binned following the deal. 

Jobs losses in British manufacturing are no longer unexpected, but redundancy is becoming a permanent feature of the general employment landscape. "The first half of 1999 was very active for redundancies, with a much higher level than in the same period for 1998," says Catherine Gilbert, director of change management and careers consultancy DMB. She puts this down to "new technologies and the large number of mergers and acquisitions". 

This pattern is reflected in the secretarial sector, where healthy employment figures mask a fairly high level of staff turnover. In a straw poll of recruitment agencies, nine out of 10 report an increase in secretarial redundancies over the past six months. Belinda Lighton, director of Knightsbridge Secretaries, says that 30% of the senior PAs (earning £30,000 or above) who come to her agency, do so when they are made redundant. 

While these statistics are not reflected at more junior levels, Lighton has been surprised by the figures. "Many firms are relocating outside London to benefit from cheaper rents," she says. The more senior the PA, however, the less likely they are to want to relocate. 

If there is any good news, it's that redundancy has lost much of the stigma it held in the 1980s: we all know colleagues and friends who have been "axed", usually for economic reasons rather than poor performance. 

"Jobs for life have been replaced by skills for life," says Sarah Bing, a secretary at the University of Greenwich. Bing has been made redundant three times in five years. "The first time I cried through the whole redundancy interview," she admits. "The second time I felt more in control, and said to myself, 'I've been here before and I can survive'"; and the third time I understood the business reasons for it, and didn't find it personally hurtful." 

It's hard, but essential to remain objective, advises Mandy Evans, 27, who was made redundant from a travel company after she'd been there just six months. "I'd watched people going into an office all day and coming out in tears, so I suspected it. But when I was called in, I was devastated. I thought I'd work there for years." She later realised that it wasn't personal. "They were getting rid of the job, not me." 

So what should you do if it happens to you? Finding a good recruitment agency is an important first step: "You should seek a counselling session from an experienced consultant," advises Lighton, "particularly if you've been with a company for a long time." All reputable agencies have trained staff who can get you back in the market, while giving sympathy and guidance, and boosting confidence. They should advise on CVs and interviews, as well as assessing skills and offering training to fill any gaps. 

Networking is also essential, says Office Angels' communications director Paul Jacobs, who has himself experienced redundancy. "Talk to friends, former work colleagues, old acquaintances, and get the message out that you're looking for work. Then secure lots of interviews, which are good practice if you're rusty." 

Secretaries are more fortunate than many because they can temp while seeking a permanent job, which can build confidence. Bing agrees: "It's an ideal way to learn about new equipment and businesses, build your network and confidence." 
Staying positive is the key to future success, and there's plenty to be optimistic about. Recruitment firms agree the sector is buoyant. "There's still a shortage of highly skilled secretarial staff," says Sue Maryan, a branch manager for Adecco. "There's no reason why secretaries with good, up-to-date skills shouldn't find excellent positions quite quickly." 

Life after losing a job

•	Treat redundancy as a fresh start. Investigate reskilling, further education and other job sectors 
•	Be flexible and keep an open mind, rather than just looking for a repeat of your old job 
•	Update yourself: revamp your CV, brush up skills, work on your interview technique
•	Don't resent your former employers: you never know when you may need them in future 
•	Don't jump at the first job that comes along. As with relationships, decisions made on the rebound are rarely advisable

Guardian: July 26, 1999