“You’re fired”. When Alan Sugar says it on The Apprentice, there’s an element of comedy and a large dollop of theatre. But when it happens to you it’s infinitely less dramatic, but just as likely to spark a range of disturbing emotions.

When you’re made redundant, HR usually roll out the line: “It has nothing to do with you personally, this decision is being driven by the business”.

But of course it’s personal, and this line is the metaphorical equivalent of being told by your partner that the relationship is over, topped with the old cliché: “It’s not you, it’s me”.

In the initial shock of the moment, these words can perversely offer a little immediate comfort, but in the cold light of day you realise that you have indeed been singled out and you have to deal with the reality of unemployment.

Only those who have experience redundancy can have an idea of just how traumatic it can be.

Largely, people have two pillars of stability – their job, and then their family and friends. Having one of those swept away from you will both put increased pressure on those around you and begin to tear down your self-belief – it’s an emotional roller-coaster.

After the initial sense of denial that it has happened to you, you’ll feel a rising anger at the fact that you’ve been singled out (of course, these days you’re more likely to have company).

You may even try to bargain your way out of the situation, but largely this is grasping at straws, and when this tactic fails, you’ll start to feel depressed before finally (hopefully) beginning to accept the situation.

This process is normal and happens everyone going through redundancy, it is just a matter of how long it takes you accept the situation and do something about it. So what can you do?

· Get it off your chest – Talk to family and friends and ensure they understand how tough it is, and then, importantly, try to move on.

· Network all your work contacts. This will keep you busy and also helps get your name out there in the market.

· Register with a number of recruitment agencies who specialise in your area. But do your research beforehand and ensure you get the more active and well-connected agencies.

· Open a dedicated book (or spreadsheet) to track everything you do when searching for a new job including all contacts, jobs applied for, target companies etc.

· Have a plan worked out for each day as this will keep you both focused and busy. This would include networking lunches/coffees, follow-up calls, new companies to call, etc.

· Try and surround yourself with positive people – negativity will drag you down.

· Above all be proactive – do NOT wait for the phone to ring.

Alan Bluett is a consultant at www.survivingredundancy.ie (The Panel Group www.thepanel.com) a website that provides outplacement services to employees and employers who have been affected by redundancy.