Finding work in an unemployment crisis: what redundancy and unemployment has taught me about community
This week it was announced that unemployment has risen to the highest level in four years. According to the Office for National Statistics the rates were 4.5% in the first three months of this year, the highest since 2021. As someone who has been unemployed for an entire year, and come through the other side of it, these stats (although worrying), do not surprise me.
As a writer the thing that interests me most about any numbers or statistics, is the stories behind these numbers. What do they tell us? Whose stories do we need to hear? What can we learn from these experiences? This learning can equip us with the tools and knowledge to can make systems and services, better and more accessible for the next people.
You'll find the stories behind the numbers on social media and in news articles, I've lost count of the number of TikTok videos I've watched documenting experiences of unemployment, and this isn't just young people or recent graduates. I've seen all ages, experiences and professions sharing feelings of confusion and bewilderment at the current job market and how difficult it is to get a job in 2025. I've known more people this year who have been made redundant than I have ever known in my life going through it at the same time - its an epidemic - and its not because people aren't good enough, or trying hard enough. People aren't "work shy" as the tabloids want you to believe, there's just not enough jobs for the number of people seeking work. If you have too many people to the slices of pizza available, someone is going to go hungry and miss out. My maths brain isn't great, but I understand this kind of maths. And as a result so many people are being set up to fail with every application, because we can't guarantee ours is going to be read out of the hundreds received. The chance of a hiring manager really listening and understanding what you can offer their team, is a bit like the chance of me climbing Mount Everest - pretty unlikely - so the people sharing their stories and experiences of being that number, are justified. They are not irrational frustrations, they are very very real. Unlike me who is quite content about never climbing Mount Everest, those applying for jobs desperately want work. They want to end the vicious cycle of uncertainty. A feeling I wouldn't wish on anyone.
Over the least year I've applied for over 60 jobs, had seven interviews, re-written my CV many times, devised numerous interview tasks and presentations and accepted my current position almost a year to the day since I found out I was being made redundant. In this time I've learned a lot, about the job market, how different organisations approach interviews, and most importantly about inclusion and what I need (or don't need). I thought I knew a lot about inclusion, until found myself in the middle of a brutal job market, and realised that there is so much more to ensuring your brain is respected, cared for and understood. I've also recognised the value of community and being able to connect with others. We all have the responsibility to create spaces for people navigating uncertainty and challenging times, to feel wanted. As the recent statistics show, we will all know someone struggling to find work. We need spaces to be wanted by someone, and to feel that things will become possible again. This is especially important when constant job rejections often send a clear message that no one will ever want you.
Instead of sharing the difficult experiences that I have written about many times before - the constant ghosting from employers that I had never experienced when applying for jobs previously, the misuse of disability confident schemes. unclear tasks and inaccessible interview environments - I want to share the positives I've found in this year, and what people have done to get things right, in the hope that you can take this learning forward in your own lives and work to make unemployment, redundancy and everything that follows an easier ride for others, and especially neurodivergent folk, because that is ultimately central to my experience.
The freedom of mentioning the word 'redundancy'
There has always been a stigma associated with the words 'redundant' 'job hunter' and 'unemployed'. We have often been cautious sharing these details because many people are often so quick to judge others circumstances without really understanding.
In those early days, I was like everyone else cautious sharing that I had been made redundant and didn't have a job, but I decided to take a different approach, and began to tell people as soon I was comfortable I'd had enough processing time myself. Sharing that life had suddenly become very challenging lead to offers of bursaries to continue activities that bring me so much joy, people making time for regular catch up calls, former colleagues reaching out to read applications and support with interview prep, and support from strangers on the internet who resonated with the experiences I'd written about. Almost as soon as I learned the devastating news that I soon wouldn't have a job, I was determined to reclaim the language that comes with so many negative connotations. Sharing it in interviews also gave me a sense of freedom, that I can be honest and say "this is me, it's been a shit year, but I want to show you what this experience has taught me." Of course, mentioning redundancy might make people uncomfortable, unable to know what to say or how to best respond, but won't a tiny bit of discomfort about these issues now, make conversation easier in the future? That's what I hope for, anyway.
I've found my people, and I'm clearer on my identity
'Finding your tribe' is something most neurodivergent young people are encouraged to do. This is because many of us feel excluded and lack a real sense of belonging and community growing up. 'She struggles to fit in' and 'needs to contribute more in class were regular features in my school reports. If you'd asked me what community means when I was 16, I doubt I'd be able to answer the question, but now at 36, I've just about found an answer. Redundancy has made it possible to explore what community and belonging means to me, way beyond my ND identity. I've read so many job descriptions, employers values and mission statements, I have the clearest understanding of where I fit in, the kind of work I enjoy, and the team where I can be me. I understand I am so rooted in the North East that I don't want to leave, despite two years ago considering moving away in search of a community. I have a community here and I didn't even realise it at the time. I joined an online writing group that has given me opportunities to meet other northern writers and explore my writing in a supportive environment, whilst also giving me the motivation to keep going to new creative projects. I'm also now a member of the speakers collective, who provide and bring together lived experience speakers on a range of social issues, committed to challenging stigma, facilitating important conversations, promoting learning and driving social change. It's an honour to be amongst so many brilliant people, doing important things and telling powerful stories. And then there's music which has really been the glue that has held all of the parts of my communities together. I've been able to escape job hunting to play tunes every week, and I've joined a string quartet now too. Music is great for connections, and doesn't always have to involve in depth conversation if you're feeling particularly overwhelmed or vulnerable. I know in the early days simply being asked: "how are you?" would have resulted in me bursting into tears. But spending a couple of hours playing jigs, reels and hornpipes was something I could do to switch off from the job hunt waiting for me at home.
Finding different communities means that in the future, if one is no longer part of my life, like the loss of a job, I still have the others to lean on as parts of my identity, and to keep me grounded as I work out what's next.
Unemployment, although traumatic, has unexpectedly given me the space to reconnect with what brings me joy again, and now I have a job, that space I have found will continue to provide a source of great joy, comfort, familiarity and safety.
I understand why I need clear consistent communication to be my best self
I've realised this year how much I thrive on structure, and being able to plan what's next. The lack of routine as a result of unexpectedly losing your job often leads to overwhelm and struggling to regulate emotions (more so than is usual for me). The best interview experiences I've had this year have been when an employer has been clear in all communication with me, with a helpful timeline outlined from the start. Possible interview dates are shared in the advert, emails are sent to let you know if shortlisting is taking longer and there is a contact (that isn't a no reply email), making it easy to get in touch with any questions. The key here is to communicate consistently throughout the process. When I've been shortlisted for an interview, the letter includes, a date, time, what to expect, how long it will last, who will be on the panel, and any task is clearly explained. If a presentation is required, the communication around this has no ambiguities. Want a presentation? Say so. Prefer someone to share information in writing? Make this clear. Or do you just want the candidate to prepare some notes to talk through? Make this explicit. Interviews should be a shared process of getting to know each other, demonstrating what you can bring to a team but also what an employer to offer you. To get the best out of this process, being clear about what you expect from a candidate eases pre-interview anxiety. Following an interview I've really valued being told when I'm likely to hear an outcome and a manager sticking to this. If decision making is taking slightly longer than expected, being kept informed about this too. Waiting to hear back following an interview is the worst kind of anxiety, I'm unable to to switch off, struggle to sleep, feel attached to my phone and worry about grabbing a shower in case they call at that exact moment. Please don't put people through this. Learning why I need this communication, and experiencing the results when interviews don't go as well, has made me better equipped to more clearly communicate my needs. I always remember my former manager saying "Over communication is better than no communication." And she was so so right.
Being reminded that people believe in you
I'm fortunate to have built a lot of meaningful connections and relationships with former colleagues from my last employer, who have offered everything from calls, application support and reminders of what I can do. It's not just people I have worked with though, others have sent messages of encouragement that have really kept me going. I've also been regularly reminded to do nice things for myself, which can be something we neglect when on the job hunt. Taking time to care for yourself is probably one of the most important things you can do when looking for work. Unemployment doesn't mean forgetting about your wellbeing, and a good work search - life balance.
I have a broader understanding of experiences in an unemployment crisis
Obviously I wish this didn't happen, no one would wish unemployment on themselves or others, but in going through redundancy, I've learned so much more that will inform future writing, and ensure that the voices of people currently stuck in the never ending cycle of job hunting are not lost. I've had a few posts go viral on social media, and one in particular about my early experiences accessing the job centre, and the lack of the support available when I had just lost my job, got a lot of engagement. The replies to that post represented a strong sense of 'me too' as people shared with me their frustrations with a system that is not designed to offer any meaningful support for the people it is supposed to help. I have become more aware of the change needed to so many systems to ensure everyone (and not just neurodivergent folk) are included.
Knowing that there are good employers out there who will value your skills again
I know this is true because I'm now five weeks into a new job, but even before I accepted an offer, there were positive experiences of interviews, in amongst the difficult ones. These experiences helped me to connect with the panel, really understand what is important to an organisation and asses if I would fit into the team. Some things that should feature in all interviews:
Feeling heard and listened to throughout an interview. It is so important to know that my time is valued, and the effort, emotional energy and interview prep is recognised.
The opportunity to suggest an interview time that works for you. 8.30 am or 4.30pm are probably not the best times to interview someone and get the best out of them. And yes, I have previously had interviews at these times.
Balanced interviews - with questions also exploring what you need from an employer or line manager
Personal, considered and supportive feedback. One manager even offered to meet me for coffee to discuss a recent interview. This rare and personal touch meant the absolute world.
Clear job descriptions that highlight exactly the person an organisation is recruiting, with no ambiguities
Tasks that relate directly to the role and give me an opportunity to show you what I can do. I'm a writer, so asking me to see my portfolio or create something that I'd need to produce in the role has given me space to really demonstrate my ability. Often powerpoint presentations explaining "how" isn't always a good way to say 'I can do this if you employ me'.
Thank you to everyone who has been there along the way, it has been quiet a journey of self discovery, a lot of emotion, anger and fear, but as I slowly emerge through it all and begin a lovely new chapter, with most of my mental health in tact, I will continue to speak and write about why those in power must first consider the stories behind the numbers and systemic inclusion to really understand and tackle unemployment.
I won't forget about the people who I see everyday on my social media feeds still fighting to be recognised, and longing to be noticed. I will continue fighting for change to systems that aren't built to include or support when people experience redundancy, one of the five most stressful experiences we can go through. The others are bereavement, divorce, moving house, and major illness or injury. If it's one of the 'big five' there should be adequate support mechanisms in place, and people shouldn't be forced to turn to social media to feel held. We must do better.
We need more people to stand up for injustice. I will continue to be one of those people.
Listening to the stories of the people behind the numbers will support us all to respond to the needs of those stuck in the middle of this unemployment crisis with the most meaningful action.
And to anyone currently in the cycle of unemployment, job hunting and interviews, I really hope your reality changes soon.