Suddenly jobless and picking up the pieces to move on...

Anonymous

June 12,2022 at 2:02PM UTC

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Suddenly jobless and picking up the pieces to move on...

While I didn't love my last job, I made a lot of external connections. Due to the abrupt ending, I didn't have time to say goodbye or wrap up any projects. I feel like I left my clients without any direction and deadlines are looming.

Although it wasn't my choice, I feel bad for leaving my contacts in a lurch without being able to pass over projects to other employees.

Should I contact any of those connections on LinkedIn to make sure they are OK? I haven't been in this situation before but I don't want to them to be impacted and also think badly of me for leaving without any notice.

Fortunately, I was contacted about two interviews for next week. With the abrupt ending, I'm glad to have a few possible opportunities but I'm still reeling. Does anyone have any advice regarding contacts as well as trying to get into the right frame of mind to move forward? Thank you!

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AnonymousJune 12,2022 at 2:18PM UTC
You need to let go and move past this.
Having 2 interviews is a blessing. Focus on the new chapter of your life. Don’t worry about your clients. Either your boss handed them to someone else or the clients are dissatisfied and left your former companies service. All of this is not your concern. Reaching out might rip the bandaid off. Just look onward and fwd. in the Bible when Moses wife turned back when they were leaving Pharoah…she was warned and didn’t listened. When she looked back she turned to stone. Focus on healing and your upcoming blessings.
AnonymousJune 12,2022 at 3:40PM UTC
Thank you, Anonymous. Great advice as I was having problems with letting go and moving forward. I sometimes care too much about others and this time, I need to focus on myself. I'm grateful for the two interviews as they popped up unexpectedly on my last day. I love the analogy and appreciate your best wishes!
AnonymousJune 12,2022 at 5:03PM UTC
You will be ok. No one has a perfect ride throughout their career. Just see this as a hiccup and a year from now this will be memories past. I promise
Danielle SJune 13,2022 at 1:05AM UTC
Well said! I am going to do the same - focus on my upcoming blessings !
AnonymousJune 12,2022 at 5:49PM UTC
Please be very very careful about reaching out to accounts abd employees from your former job.
Understand that they will be just fine. Deadlines will be met or adjusted and deliverables will be made. No need for your intervention.
Your abrupt departure will fade with time and tge gossip will die down soon.
Focus on your next steps for you.
AnonymousJune 12,2022 at 7:56PM UTC
Thank you, Anonymous. It's hard for me to let things slide but as you pointed out, everything that needs to be will be reallocated. Time to focus on the future.
Danielle SJune 13,2022 at 1:05AM UTC
Thank you for sharing !
AnonymousJune 12,2022 at 10:41PM UTC
This will sound harsh: these clients haven’t given you a second thought since you left. This is a business relationship, not a long term friendship. Please, at all costs, resist the urge to reach out to them on LinkedIn. This is no longer your problem and you have no recourse. If you do reach out to them to make sure they’re ok, they’ll report you to your former employer. Move past this, focus on your job interviews and put this experience to bed.
AnonymousJune 14,2022 at 3:39AM UTC
Thank you, Anonymous. Resisting the urge to contact former clients and employees is difficult but I'm focusing my intention into what's next. I do feel bad that I was in the middle of projects and hate to leave people hanging. I appreciate your advice and although it's difficult, it's time to move forward.
Danielle SJune 13,2022 at 1:04AM UTC
I am in a similar situation and needed to hear this!
AnonymousJune 15,2022 at 2:27PM UTC
Danielle, wishing you all the best and I'm sorry that you're facing a similar situation. When everything ends abruptly it's difficult to move on and know how to navigate the aftermath. This is my first time in this scenario so I'm grateful to everyone's advice. Good luck and you'll find a company that appreciates you!
AnonymousJune 14,2022 at 12:31PM UTC
Unless you already have personal connections with those clients, I'd steer clear. Were you provided with any sort of severance agreement from your now former employer? And honestly, given the abruptness of the job loss, I understand the desire to immediately something new, but I'd also give yourself time and space to recover from this.
AnonymousJune 14,2022 at 6:49PM UTC
Thank you, Anonymous. It's a difficult situation as I brought those clients to the company. I don't want to leave them hanging as that destroys my relationships and some of those organizations, I want to work with in the future. I wish I could take the time off to really recover but since it was so sudden, I have savings but it sometimes takes a long time to find a new position.
Audrey KirschJune 15,2022 at 12:16AM UTC
I don't see a problem reaching out as long as it isn't to trash your former employer. Just let them know that you are sorry that you couldn't finish up the project you were working on because of your sudden departure, you enjoyed working with them and would love to work with them again in the future if the opportunity arises. Some will appreciate the gesture and want to remain in touch while others won't give you another thought. Networking is always a good idea so don't pass up the opportunity.
Joycelyn M. SiameJune 15,2022 at 12:17PM UTC
If you feel so inclined, definitely reach out. You never know... they may want you to work on future projects for them, especially since you were courteous enough to reach out and explain. I believe I saw in another comment that you were the one to bring them to the company. If so, reaching out to them doesn't hurt... Good luck with landing a job that appreciates you!
AnonymousJune 15,2022 at 2:23PM UTC
Jocelyn and Audrey, I settled on reaching out to a contact that I was in middle of a project with that my former company wouldn't have the answers. He thanked me for reaching out and that he looks forward to working with me in the future. The rest I decided to allow former colleagues to pick up the conversations. I worked with the one I contacted at a past position and didn't want to ruin the relationship.
AnonymousJune 15,2022 at 12:36PM UTC
I recently departed my position abruptly and have wrestled with how to communicate to the team and any clients that could reach out to me.
In the end, I have decided to not engage in further discussion and remind myself that this too shall pass. I did not bring clients to the company so my relationships are strictly professional.
For me, I have been spending time in my garden, working on a few art therapy projects, and really connecting with myself to determine the next chapter. Part of me is upset with how I left, however, when it comes to protecting one's mental and emotional health there is no right or wrong way... only that your needs are met and you feel safe.
Sarah HernandezJune 15,2022 at 1:02PM UTC
That's very thoughtful of you, but I would recommend not to engage in further discussion with your previous clients.
Good luck with your interviews!
AnonymousJune 15,2022 at 2:24PM UTC
Thank you, Sarah. I appreciate your advice and have an important interview today. Trying to get into the right mindset to bring the best version of myself to the table. First in-person interview in years!