I've been laid off.

Brenda Colvin

March 6,2023 at 6:40PM UTC

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I've been laid off. It sucks to be lost in the sea of so many other qualified and deserving candidates. Timing is everything. But, I'm hanging in there and showing up every day, even if it's for a small part of the day. People talk about on-the-job burnout, but there's also "looking for another job burnout" when you consider the time spent and the number of rejections received. It's almost like being in a bad marriage - you're married and aren't happy and want out. Then you're single and discover how difficult it is to date again. Be careful for what you wish, right? In any case, I'm glad to be a part of this group. I hope through our collective connections, I can find a new place to work, and help anyone else with this goal along the way. Thanks for including me.

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Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterMarch 6,2023 at 6:48PM UTC
Best wishes! What does your job search consist of - other than job boards?
Brenda ColvinMarch 7,2023 at 9:05PM UTC
Hi Lesa - I'm primarily looking on LinkedIn and Indeed. I prefer Indeed as I believe the people on the receiving end are more accountable in their responses. Indeed makes it easier to do this. Versus LinkedIn, which is a big black hole of nothing.
AprilMarch 6,2023 at 7:01PM UTC
It is a lonely stage in our careers, the job search. It is exhausting. You feel tired yet you feel unproductive if you do not pack 8 hours of job searches in your day. I am speaking from experience when I suggest 1) schedule your search with blocks of time. It is work. That’s why we are tired. 2) take breaks as if you were working 3) give yourself grace and a break from all of the notifications that recruiters are out to harm us. . We know it’s hard, but we can not give it. Untl wr can figure out why so many jobs exist, so many people are looking for jobs and the unemployment rate is in single digits, we must keep networking and of course, applying. I’m not sure which one will work, but I know I must do both.
Best wishes !
Jessica MinterMarch 6,2023 at 8:06PM UTC
You've got the right perspective, Brenda! I've been laid off twice in the past and remember effort required to stay positive, but you're doing it! Having a supportive community helps too. =) Not sure what your background is, but we are hiring > https://www.nvent.com/en-us/careers Good luck!
Brenda ColvinMarch 7,2023 at 9:03PM UTC
Hi Jessica - it is divine timing you responded. I just read about an opening with Nvent and why it caught my eye is because of the word Nvent, since I'm a closet inventor. My background is in HR and Client Relations. I'll be checking out your opportunities. If I recall, though, it seemed like the opportunities were to support electrical engineering?
Jessica MinterMarch 7,2023 at 10:16PM UTC
Look at that! :) We are an electrical manufacturer, but we have all types of roles all over the world. HR does tend to be onsite at one of our facilities, but we do have some openings in HR. Always looking for more women in Sales if that is more closely aligned, but that often does require technical knowledge. Even if nothing fitting is open right now, do keep us in mind as you keep searching!
AnonymousMarch 6,2023 at 8:20PM UTC
I just resigned from a position at a company where they were supposedly going to try to find me another "temporary" position (because I was on mental health leave). Turns out that I have full-blown PTSD and can't do the job even if I wanted to do the motions... I am with you sister! I have three masters degrees, took a job well below my ability and here I am trying to heal.
Maggie SmithMarch 6,2023 at 8:39PM UTC
When one door closes, another one opens. So don't despair, there will be opportunities ahead of you. You will get stronger and you will find something. Also take time to care for yourself. Exercise, eat healthy. Take a hobby. You are not your job. So use this time to learn more about yourself.
AnonymousMarch 6,2023 at 9:39PM UTC
I was laid off on Feb. 1 and just finished a job search. I work in tech so I was aware layoffs were happening but somehow I believed our CFO when he said we were "safe." We weren't.
The job search drained every last bit of my emotional energy. At its best, I sometimes was reminded I did have skills. At its worst, it felt like another insult to injury.
Oddly, I did not cry when I lost my job. BUT, when my COBRA got messed up, I bawled.
My advice to you is to embrace that you are going through a lonely time but that you are NOT alone. Try to take some breaks and for goodness sake, allow yourself a cry or a good screaming fit every once in a while.
They are complex emotions and it is okay to take some time to process them.
It really helped that when I felt alone, I had this community to ask questions to and read responses. This group was better than friends (who seemed to not understand) and definitely strengthened me.
So, I hope the same for you.
And as for the rejections, it is okay if they sting. Just don't let them define you. You are more awesome than anyone can know by scanning a resume or meeting with you for 15 minutes.
All the best and I hope your experience in this community has been as useful as mine.
Brenda ColvinMarch 7,2023 at 9:01PM UTC
Thank you for your response. I had no idea this community existed, so I'm glad to be a part of it.
AyianMarch 8,2023 at 2:29PM UTC
COBRA is REALLY expensive and since it's early in the year, it doesn't help you to keep it for the max out of pocket unless you had something major in January. You're eligible for 90 days after a job separation to get insurance on the marketplace. It's a fraction of the cost to get the same or similar plan to what you had prior to layoff. Don't stress your finances by overpaying for insurance.
Tiana MumfordMarch 6,2023 at 9:43PM UTC
Hi there
All that you are saying is true . I actually hav the same analogy with work and bad marriages . It is real and mentally and emotionally it wears a person down . Yes you can absolutely get burned out from looking for a job ! I hope all works out for you!
AnonymousMarch 6,2023 at 10:48PM UTC
Yes, we can! I'm recently laid off as well but have made a plan for myself not just my search.
I made sure to get all my appointments taken care off (medical, dental and vision) while I still had some time on the insurance plan. I also continue to use the EAP provided (we received 3 months upon separation) for some career counseling abd financial budgeting tools and advice.
I know break my weeks into 3 hour increments so I work 3 hours on my job searching and applying & interviews, 3 hours on personal projects like restoration of furniture, painting my home office, sewing/tailoring my capsule wardrobe cleaning out my garden abd garage. Then 3 hours on maintenance of my health/selfcare like cooking, exercise, lunch with friends, haircuts, DIY facials and mani-pedi. All this stuff keeps me from burning out and makes me feel productive and refreshed. I've been out of work fir a month and have some potential offers in the making. I feel strong and validated that I'm ready and my life is in good shape.
Brenda ColvinMarch 7,2023 at 9:00PM UTC
OMG - I love this idea of the 3/3/3. I'm definitely not doing the other two 3's, but using all that time to search for a new job. I'll look into this starting tomorrow.
AnonymousMarch 8,2023 at 12:39AM UTC
Yes, give yourself permission to actual enjoy yourself during this transition. Remember, as soon as you're hired you will be very busy with your new job. You will look back on this time and wished you would have taken time to rest and recharge
Christina M. WardMarch 7,2023 at 1:52PM UTC
I have an article I did recently about using your LinkedIn to make more money and I think it might actually be helpful to you. I also wrote 2 or 3 articles recently about burn out. I'm on my phone and I really hate trying to figure out how to share links so I'll just explainn...medium.com and my handle is @fnfwriter Name: Christina M. Ward.Hope it's OK to share that information here. I'm going through a similar thing myself. I am a freelance writer so I make my money by writing blogs and other things for clients who hire me to do that. Recently, ChatGPT (I wrote about that too) came out and lots of freelancers are losing work right now. I have never applied to so many jobs in all my life and I'm so sick of it.. Hang in there. You just have to keep throwing every thing at the wall until something sticks.
UPDATE: Here's the article link: https://medium.com/illumination/5-tips-to-turn-your-linkedin-into-cash-flow-e895ccbf440a?sk=a8cda5106b2687399bcd43057f2c40a6
AyianMarch 8,2023 at 2:25PM UTC
https://medium.com/@fnfwriter
For those looking for a link
Christina M. WardMarch 9,2023 at 9:11PM UTC
Thank you!
AnonymousMarch 7,2023 at 2:51PM UTC
When I was laid off the last time, they accurately informed me (during my post-lay-off job search help session) that my new "full-time job" would be a job search. They were more than right, and it was grueling. I spent 11 months and then found an "interim" job that was way out of my career path. It took two more years to find something in my career path.
TeenieMarch 7,2023 at 3:20PM UTC
I like what someone else said, the 3 hr rule.
Also I would try this, use certain keywords for one type of role and then send applications out for that keyword and firm list for that day/2 days
Do the next keyword/ role the next day
Will be less daunting. All the best.. stay strong & pls indulge in a hobby or relaxation to keep your mind free of emotions when working...
ChristineMarch 8,2023 at 1:31PM UTC
Being laid off is a really disheartening experience. Last time it happened to me was 12 years ago. I don't know that I can give you advice but I can tell you what I did. I kept telling myself the truth - this was not a reflection on me. It was a corporate decision. I have the same incredible skills I had yesterday...and will have tomorrow. I went through a head-hunting agency and explained exactly what I was looking for (it may take you a minute to sort out what that is in your head...) and then I explained that my time to go on interviews was limited and they should submit me only to positions that at least MOSTLY had what I wanted. I went on 2 interviews (one that was set up by a friend, and one from the head-hunting agency.) The agency was so clear on what I wanted that the agency rep was buzzing with excitement when he called me about the job. And, when I met the doctor I currently work for -- someone told me later - he came out and said, don't bring me anymore candidates...I want her. We are still together and make a great team. That awful, painful, teary layoff may have been the best experience of my life. I hope this helps. And good luck. You are worth it.
GirlBossanova934974March 8,2023 at 1:55PM UTC
Just my 2 cents here. I would stop thinking of jobs as "marriages". You are not married to a job. A job is a means to an end and that is a steady income. No more, no less. The first step is to get a plan in place to get a steady income going again. Sign up for LinkedIn and get a few daily emails coming into your INBOX. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is well written and filled out. If you have good and in demand skillsets, you will be getting calls and emails from recruiters in short order. MAKE SURE you are advertising yourself, NOT your previous company. Industry buzzwords and company jargon needs to be taken out. A 3rd party should be interested because you are describing what you did and how you did it. Operative word is YOU. Financial and operational metrics should be included. LAST, if you find a position that you feel you are 75% qualified for or some number close to that, APPLY for the job! Good Luck......
AnonymousMarch 8,2023 at 2:37PM UTC
It is hard. I was laid off near the end of 2021. Then within a couple weeks my pet died. I grieved both the job and my pet. I was in a rut for some time. During 2022, I attempted to update my resume and learn new skills but I was stressed out. Looking for a new job was difficult because I didn't know what I wanted. I would spend hours searching job listings for the ones that fit my skill set. But after applying for a few jobs and not getting any response I lost my confidence. So I continued looking for work but I couldn't bring myself to apply for any jobs.I finally talked to someone that told me to find peace with where I was in my life. That helped alleviate the stress I was feeling and made me appreciate the fact that I still had some severance funds and a supportive husband who was able to cover our expenses. So along the way we adopted another pet and I started crafting again, that is something I love to do.Today I am still unemployed but I have learned how to cope with disruptions in my life. This year I am confident I will find another job and it will provide me with the joy, peace and harmony I desire. Notice I didn't mention salary because I figure if the job meets the other desires then the salary will be there also.
P.S. I realize not every one can take a year off with out finding a job. But I just wanted to share that sometimes it makes sense to address your mental health when stress is taking over your life.
AnonymousMarch 8,2023 at 7:44PM UTC
You are not alone. I'm in a similar situation as you. Best of luck!
AnonymousMarch 9,2023 at 5:50AM UTC
Whoa there - you can afford to take this time off? Maybe find a way to teach others about financial literacy. Maybe start as a volunteer and take it from there.
Good luck to you!
Amy Miller, Psy.D. - Career CoachMarch 8,2023 at 2:38PM UTC
You always hear "looking for a job is a full time job" but I think no one says that without hating that they are saying it. Spending 8 hours a day dealing with a job search is unrealistic for a human being, and that's because job searches can be incredibly emotionally draining because they are about selling ourselves and being judged in a way that is uncomfortable for most people.... When something is really emotionally exhausting then the other stuff we do to balance it out can be thought of as part of the work. Doing nice things for yourself, even sleeping more than usual, doing something creative, spending more time with friends, etc, I think can be seen as apart of a healthy job-search process.
RachelMarch 8,2023 at 3:27PM UTC
You've put it perfectly. Plus being out of work can be so demoralizing. I remember going on interviews and watching everyone going to lunch and having that office to go back to and just feeling so worthless in comparison. Now I know my job doesn't equal my worth, but it has made me much more empathetic towards people going through that experience!
SitaraMarch 8,2023 at 4:41PM UTC
I second Rachel!! I love the way you expressed this. A full day of job searching is just not in the cards for most people.
AnonymousMarch 8,2023 at 2:43PM UTC
I hear you. Having just been through this, looking for another job burnout is real. Right after it happened, I was in a panic, literally hunting 10 hours a day. The advice to "time block" it is great. The listings don't change that much over the course of a day. Pick a time, apply to all you qualify for, and step away.
Also, have you had your resume done/optimized? That helps get interviews. And, use your network. That was so critical for me finding a job. Just breathe. You've got this.
AnonymousMarch 8,2023 at 3:28PM UTC
Job search burnout is very real. I went through that the first four months of last year and I was prepared for being off work for possibly an extended period of time. It's frustrating, it can be demoralizing and it basically just sucks. Just make sure to make time for yourself. To take care of yourself.