Your CV after redundancy and what to say at interview
Redundancy is about a role, not about you, and employers know that. Here is how to update your CV quickly, word the ending simply and talk about it with confidence.
Before you start
Being made redundant can knock your confidence, especially if you did not see it coming. It is also something employers and recruiters see in every sector, and on its own it says nothing bad about the person whose job ended.
The best thing you can do for your CV is to make it about your achievements, not the redundancy. This guide covers when to start applying, how to word the ending, where it goes on your CV and how to answer the questions that follow.
How to handle it on your CV
Step by step, from the layout to the last line. Take what fits your own story.
Want a clean layout to start from? See our simple CV templates.
Start while you are still employed, if you can
You can apply for jobs during your notice period, and a CV that shows you in your current role is simple to write. If you have worked for your employer for at least two years by the time your notice ends, you have the right to reasonable time off to look for work or arrange training. GOV.UK’s redundancy pages explain the details.
Keep the job on your CV as normal
List the job like any other, with your title, the employer and the dates, and three to six bullet points of what you achieved. While you are working your notice, the end date is "to present". Once you leave, add the month and year you finished.
Lead with your most recent results
Your last role is the first thing an employer reads, so make it strong. Write down what you delivered in the last two or three years while it is fresh: targets met, projects finished, savings, improvements, people trained. Ask colleagues to remind you while you still can.
Mention the redundancy briefly, or not at all
You do not have to give a reason for leaving on a CV. If you want to, one short line under the job is enough, such as "Role made redundant following a restructure". If a gap of several months follows, add an entry for it: our guide to explaining gaps in your CV has example wording.
Use the time to add something
A course, a certificate, volunteering or temp work keeps your skills and your CV moving. Choose things that fit the jobs you are applying for, and list them with the year.
Line up your references early
Before you leave, ask your manager or a senior colleague whether they would give you a reference, and take a personal email address or phone number. Some employers give only a factual reference with your dates and job title. That is normal and nothing to worry about.
Decide on your target
Redundancy is a natural moment to check what you want next. If you are thinking about a change of direction, write a separate version of your CV for that target, rather than one that tries to cover everything.
Example wording to adapt
An example about a made-up person, to show the shape and the tone. Swap in your own facts, dates and words.
Customer Service Team Leader | Brookvale Insurance | 2021 to September 2026
- Led a team of 12 advisers handling home insurance claims by phone and web chat
- Brought in a callback system that cut repeat calls about the same claim
- Trained and signed off 18 new advisers
Role made redundant when the contact centre closed.
Customer service team leader with eight years in busy contact centres, most recently leading a team of 12 on home insurance claims. Known for coaching new advisers and fixing the processes that frustrate customers. Looking for a team leader role in customer service or operations.
My role at Brookvale was made redundant when the company moved its contact centre to another region, and I am now looking for a team leader role where I can keep doing what I do best: building a calm, well-trained team.
What to say at interview
Most interviewers will ask why you left, and it is usually a simple fact-finding question. Answer it in a sentence or two, stay positive about your old employer and move on to what you can do for them.
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Why did you leave your last job?
Say plainly that the role was made redundant and why, in business terms, then turn to what you want now.
An example to adapt
The company closed our contact centre and moved the work to another site, so my role was made redundant along with the rest of the team. I enjoyed my time there, especially training new advisers, and I am looking for a team leader role where I can do more of that.
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Why were you selected for redundancy?
Often the honest answer is that a whole role, team or site went. If there was a selection process, keep it short and factual, without criticising anyone.
An example to adapt
It was not about individuals: all the team leader roles at our site went when it closed. I was offered a job at the new site, but the move was not possible for my family.
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What have you been doing since you left?
Show you have used the time well, even if it has only been a few weeks.
An example to adapt
I took a couple of weeks to plan properly, then completed a short course in workforce planning, and I have been helping a friend’s small business set up its customer inbox. I have been choosy about applications because I want the right next role.
Preparing for a particular job? See our interview questions by job.
What to leave out
- Criticising your old employer or the way the redundancy was handled, on paper or at interview.
- Words like "fired" or "let go", which make it sound personal. "My role was made redundant" is accurate and neutral.
- Stretching your end date to hide time out of work. References and checks show the real dates.
- Mentioning redundancy pay or the terms of any agreement you signed. Some agreements are confidential.
- Sending the same CV to every advert. Tailor the top half to each job.
Read next
After redundancy: your questions
Should I put redundancy on my CV?
You do not have to. A CV does not need a reason for leaving each job. Some people add one short line, such as "Role made redundant following a restructure", because it answers the question before it is asked. Either way is fine.
Can I apply for jobs while working my notice?
Yes, and it is often the best time to apply. If you will have at least two years’ service by the end of your notice, you have the right to reasonable time off to look for work or arrange training. Ask your employer early, so interviews are easier to fit in.
Does redundancy look bad to employers?
Not on its own. Employers know that roles are cut for business reasons. What they look at is the work you did and how you talk about it, so keep your answer short and positive.
What if I signed a settlement agreement?
Check what it says about confidentiality, references and any agreed wording for why you left, and stick to that. If anything is unclear, ask the adviser who explained the agreement to you.
Keep going
- Simple CV templatesFree designs that keep your story clear, with no watermark.
- Cover lettersExample letters by job: a good place to explain your situation in a sentence or two.
- Free CV checkerA CV Score out of 100 and the fixes to make first, in about 30 seconds.
Other CV guides: Returning to work Over 50 Moving into management No degree Leaving the armed forces
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