After being laid off from a job I LOVED and was successful in (promoted twice, got internal award soon after starting, went to conferences, chosen to be in an executive mentoring circle), it took 7 months to get where I’m at now.

4 Comments

1. AnonymousFebruary 1,2025 at 3:05PM UTC

   One of the first things I suggest others when applying to positions is to find anyone on LI who may have worked there and look at the lifespan. If it's 1-2 years, it's a red flag. Unfortunately, you are working there and can see it. Suggest seeking work elsewhere that is more sustainable for you. As you are near the year mark, look now, then hopefully by your 1 year mark, you can move on. Good luck!

2. GirlBossanova934974February 1,2025 at 3:16PM UTC

   It is hard to figure out what to do here..."Drowning in spreadsheets" sounds like a Finance or Accounting job. Did you take this job knowing you would be expected to be an advanced user or expert spreadsheet user and you in fact, were not? There are many IG and YT channels dedicated to learning advanced EXCEL skills. These are free......

3. Colleen HansonFebruary 1,2025 at 4:57PM UTC

   Many years ago I took a position as an Office Manager for a large Nationwide company that I was thrilled about! I had a part-time assistant that worked a few days a week and the first day I met her she told me "Good Luck, you are the 5th Office Manager in 6 years." While that seemed like a red flag I was very excited about the position and really threw myself into it. About a year into the position I started to realize why there had been so many previous Office Managers; the GM, who was my direct supervisor, was extremely unethical and was asking me to do/not do things that were not right. When the Home Office would inquire about these things, guess who the fall guy was-ME. He would always smooth it over, but after a point I started refusing to do anything that went against the Home Office and started documenting everything, as well as contacting the Home Office and letting them know what was going on. This enraged the GM and I left at the 2 year mark when he threw a large set of keys at me from across the room (that ultimately broke a window when I moved out of the way). I immediately left and contacted the Home Office. Even with all of the documentation I had provided them with, they did nothing. I never went back.

   I also had previously worked in another similar position that had numerous people before me for very short periods of time only to find out that I was being asked to lie on IRS documents, Workmans Comp documents, etc., both of which were federal offenses. When I refused I was terminated. I was re-hired the next day by the actual Owner and told that I would never be asked to do that again, but only so I would keep my mouth shut. I did not go back. A couple of years later the company was shut down. But it has definitely been my experience that if you are in a position that has had numerous people only stay for a short time, there is definitely a reason! I would start looking for a new position ASAP!

4. Ellen MrazApril 22,2026 at 4:41AM UTC
   I can really relate to your experience of being laid off from a job you enjoyed—it's a difficult situation! Last year, I was in a similar situation and took the opportunity to seriously consider what I wanted to do slope free next. Networking became my lifeline; at certain women's conferences, I discovered great support, which helped me get an even more satisfying job.