Turning redundancy into opportunity 

After 15 years in the same role, a senior QA professional faced redundancy and the daunting task of re-entering the job market. With a young family and a quiet hiring landscape, he needed a partner who could offer more than just job listings, he needed a strategy. 

Key stats 

• 35 companies identified and approached 
• 5 interviews secured from 8 CV submissions 
• 3 job offers received within 6 weeks 
• Now a hiring manager working with R&D Partners 

The situation 

After choosing redundancy over relocating his family, the candidate took a short break before restarting his job search. But after 15 years in the same role, the market had changed, and so had the hiring landscape. Opportunities at his level were limited, and those available didn’t align with his expectations around salary, location, or technical focus. 

He reached out to R&D Partners, having worked with us previously as a hiring manager, and asked for support navigating this new chapter. 

The solution 

We began with a candid conversation about the market and his goals. Rather than wait for the right role to appear, we agreed to take a proactive approach. 

We built a tailored list of 35 companies that matched his criteria. Each was marked as either an existing client or a speculative opportunity. He reviewed the list, removing any companies he’d already approached or had negative experiences with. This became our target shortlist. 

From there, we launched a structured outreach campaign. Each week, we updated a shared tracker with progress notes, keeping him informed and involved. When companies expressed interest, we discussed each opportunity in detail before moving forward, ensuring alignment on both sides. 

The result 

Within six weeks, we had shared his CV with eight hiring managers, resulting in five interviews and three job offers, all from new companies. He accepted the role that best aligned with his goals and has since been promoted. 

Today, he continues to work with R&D Partners this time as a hiring manager, partnering with us to build his own QA team. 

From redundancy to renewed purpose 

Career transitions can be challenging, but with the right support, they can also be transformative. If you’re navigating change, we’re here to help. Let’s talk about how we can support your next move.