Talking About Redundancy in Interviews

Being made redundant is never easy, but how you talk about it in an interview can make all the difference. The key is to keep your explanation calm, matter of fact, and future focused. Interviewers are not looking for a long story. They want to see composure, clarity, and resilience.

Start by acknowledging it honestly. State that you were made redundant without apologising, over explaining, or becoming defensive. Then frame it forward by briefly sharing how the experience has given you clarity and energy about what you want to do next. This shows you have processed the change and are ready to move on.

Delivery matters as much as words. Keep your answer short, use a steady tone, and avoid blaming or revisiting the past. Redundancy is part of your story, but it is not your headline. What leaders are really looking for is confidence, optimism, and forward momentum.

Practical tip
Prepare one or two simple sentences that explain your redundancy and point toward the future. Practice saying them with a calm tone and a slight smile so they sound natural and confident.

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