Applying for new job after Voluntary Redundancy

jamminca69

Just a quick question, after people's opinions and experiences of applying for jobs after voluntary redundancy.

It looks likely that i will accept my VR package and a leaving date would be set for August 1st.

In the meantime i plan to apply for several positions and be upfront about reason im leaving and give them the potential starting date.

Will employers look down on a possible employee taking VR from previous employment? How would this be perceived?

BERFFRO

I cant see why they would look down on you for taking voluntary redundancy, Many people have left employers because they just don't like the work and get work elsewhere no problems.
You could say that it felt like the right thing to do and that you fancied a challenge elsewhere??

getmore4less

Why even say it is VR.

As far as I am aware there is no legal difference the reason for the termination is redundancy.

Why not just say your position is redundant due to restructure(or whatever the reasons are) and that you are avaialble to start xx-xx-2010.

It is easy to put a positive spin on the time scales and reasons for not looking at alternatives internaly if there were any.

jamminca69

BERFFRO wrote: »

I cant see why they would look down on you for taking voluntary redundancy, Many people have left employers because they just don't like the work and get work elsewhere no problems.
You could say that it felt like the right thing to do and that you fancied a challenge elsewhere??

Would it be ok to be 100% truthful and say the financial offer was too good to refuse and i fancied a new challenge elsewhere? As that's what it is.

getmore4less wrote: »

Why even say it is VR.

As far as I am aware there is no legal difference the reason for the termination is redundancy.

Why not just say your position is redundant due to restructure(or whatever the reasons are) and that you are avaialble to start xx-xx-2010.

It is easy to put a positive spin on the time scales and reasons for not looking at alternatives internaly if there were any.

That is an option although i'd personally like to point out to potential employers that it was VR rather than redundancy. It probably wouldnt matter but i'd rather them know that i took it rather than say work let me go if you understand what i mean?

BERFFRO

jamminca69 wrote: »

Would it be ok to be 100% truthful and say the financial offer was too good to refuse and i fancied a new challenge elsewhere? As that's what it is

Honesty is the best policy! I really don't think that you'll have any trouble when applying for another job after taking VR.

SueC_2

jamminca69 wrote: »

but i'd rather them know that i took it rather than say work let me go if you understand what i mean?

Why? In this day and age redundancy is really no slur against you - it is in no way akin to being sacked. And saying it was voluntary opens up a whole load of questions which could get quite uncomfortable, eg:

• Is money your prime motivation?
• Why were you so keen to leave that you were prepared to do it without the security of another job to go to?

Just a thought, entirely up to you of course.

getmore4less

jamminca69 wrote: »

Would it be ok to be 100% truthful and say the financial offer was too good to refuse and i fancied a new challenge elsewhere? As that's what it is.

That is an option although i'd personally like to point out to potential employers that it was VR rather than redundancy. It probably wouldnt matter but i'd rather them know that i took it rather than say work let me go if you understand what i mean?

Your termination date is 1 Aug so clearly you are not getting "kicked out".

I would avoid the VR and the package details, plenty of ways to spin this as a positive move just as you would do if you were not being made redundant andlooking for a job.
"chance to take on new challenges"
"business was moving in a different direction"
"prospect of promotion limited"

I would also have a good story why this is over 6 months notice.
Are there good reasons they need to keep people that long.

If the tax free element is below £30k and there is PILON you can negotiate to use some of the 6 months as real notice and get extra tax free money.