I and 3/4 of the staff were laid off last April.

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Anonymous

01/27/21 at 2:30PM UTC

I and 3/4 of the staff were laid off last April.

At the time they encourage all of us to apply for positions in the future. To me they stressed how hard they worked to retain me and my position. In December something came up. I have 18 years of experience doing the exact tasks of the job posted. I also knew the former employee was not applying for the position. I applied. Heard nothing and yesterday got a computer generated rejection letter. I’m pretty hurt. I take this to mean they don’t want me back in any capacity. Am I misinterpreting the situation? That was decidedly a we don’t want you back ever again, yes?

34 Comments

Anonymous

01/27/21 at 4:12PM UTC

There may be more to the decision of not hiring you for the position or perhaps they need something or someone else for the team. You will probably never know. People say a lot if things during layoffs to ease the pain. You can't take these things personally and spend time worrying about the why's. It may just be time to seek out new/fresh opportunities and leave this one alone. At least for now. Trust me if you're right for a future position they will reach out to discuss it. They have your contact info. With all of your experience and skill set you will land a new adventure for sure.

User edited comment on 01/27/21 at 4:24PM UTC

D. M. Johnson

Let's put it on a map!

01/27/21 at 4:13PM UTC

I know it's hard not to read something into that rejection letter. I would suggest that you follow up and be curious. Ask them why you were summarily turned down. You could ask what qualities you need to improve upon to be a top candidate. You should also continue to seek out other opportunities in your career path. Just because that company isn't interested, it doesn't mean you are valuable to another. Stay curious as you approach all this and it may ease the sting of rejection and help you land somewhere else.

User edited comment on 01/27/21 at 4:17PM UTC

2 Replies

Anonymous

01/27/21 at 4:53PM UTC

If they chose a computer to send me a rejection letter, I’m not sure they would feel comfortable providing feedback. I have had other potential employers provide such information, people who had never met me before in my life were more courteous.

User edited comment on 01/27/21 at 4:53PM UTC

1 Reply

Anonymous

01/27/21 at 5:01PM UTC

It's tough with a very small staff to handle routine response letters. They are down by 75% of their staff. And you are one of many applying. Cut them some slack as well as yourself. It wasn't a fit. You're going to be fine. The market is actually heating back up so you'll be employed in due time.

bradford mccormick

01/29/21 at 10:25AM UTC

Why not ask them what's going on. Be absolutely polite (no matter what you think or think of them!)! But why shouldn't you see if it was just a clerical slipup or if they really are so mean? Provided you don't give them any ammunition to use against you (people talk to each other), why not see if they reconsider, apologize, just brush you off, or whatever? You might sleep better for having made sure you really read what you read and seeing the matter out to the end instead of maybe just feeling unjustly bad about yourself.

Anonymous

01/27/21 at 4:15PM UTC

Yes for whatever reason they have chosen another direction. You are not a fit. Don't over think it. It will be better for your peace of mind.

Nina O

01/27/21 at 4:17PM UTC

Second all the things stated above. I definitely don't see this as a never apply again situation. There are so many reasons why they sent you the computer generated rejection - a friend of the hiring person got the job, they missed your application, they hired someone with less experience who might cost less, etc.. While rejection is so hurtful you have to remember it could have been so many random things that have nothing to do with your relationship to the company. At the same time, keep applying at other locations, maybe this will be a great leg up somewhere new.

Anonymous

01/27/21 at 4:37PM UTC

To clarify, we were laid off due to COVID. The entire staff totaled 23 before the layoffs. The hiring manager called me and also emailed me to encourage me to apply for this part time temporary (grant funded) position. I left a professional position with 18 years of tenure to join this organization only to be laid off 8 months later. So 99% of the organizational employees are of a cultural background of which I do not belong. People of ethnic minority populations are grossly under represented in my profession. It’s hard not to wonder if I was not considered due to my ethnic background. I was really proud to work for the organization as the director and deputy director were both women with PhDs.

User edited comment on 01/27/21 at 4:44PM UTC

1 Reply

Anonymous

01/27/21 at 4:48PM UTC

A lot has changed this past year. To rebuild, companies need to consider many things. Perhaps things will evolve in the future and there will be other chances to come back. Just not now and not for this opportunity. I don't think it's personal.

Anonymous

01/27/21 at 4:51PM UTC

It is disappointing, I think that the lay-offs of people have to do with the bottom line, like if you were there for 18 years, you may have been making more money than they want to pay people now. Its not personal, although its hard not to feel its personal. Thinking of Tom Hanks in "You've Got Mail" "Its just business". Also, its true you may never know how they made the decision to pass on you, there could have been 5 people rooting for you, and 1 person could have had the final say. I think its great advice to keep applying there if you really loved it, and ask them what you could work on, education wise. Also maybe the resume needs tweaking. I think the most important thing is not to dwell on it. This is the time to try to stay positive, move forward, let go. (great advice for myself also, I am in a similar situation). Finally, I believe that if we don't get what we want, it could be because God/The Universe has something better in mind for us, so the sooner we move past the disappointment, the faster we will find something so much better. I hope this helps, I feel your pain :)

Anonymous

01/27/21 at 5:02PM UTC

It is hard to be optimistic when you don’t even get interviews for jobs you are uniquely qualified for with people who know your skills and work ethic. I contributed to the organization even after I was laid off presenting at a conference regarding a grant they received. I used to have to remember myself to go home as I got to come back the next day. I would clock out and just keep working until I got finished with what I was doing.

1 Reply

Anonymous

01/27/21 at 5:34PM UTC

Sounds like an awesome job that you loved very much. I would write down all the things you loved about it and focus on companies and positions that capture as many of those qualities as possible. That will be your dream job. In the meantime treat this experience as a breakup with a boyfriend. Keep positive and know you're moving towards something even better.

2 Replies

Anonymous

01/27/21 at 5:50PM UTC

Thanks. I worked very hard to rework my skill set to land that job and make a career change. Took a $20,000 dollar a year paycut to take it only to be let go 8 months later. I did not take the layoff personally. But this not even being considered for a job I am highly skilled at does. Even if they had talked to me about it. Hiring managers who had never even met me before called on the phone to talk to me.

1 Reply

Anonymous

01/28/21 at 1:42PM UTC

Yeah isn't that like your bf breaking up with you and saying let's stay friends? It doesn't mean jacksquat. Horrible.

Anonymous

01/28/21 at 1:44PM UTC

Yeah doing free for an employer is like going fwb with an ex bf. Don't.

Anonymous

01/27/21 at 5:13PM UTC

There are great opportunities waiting for you.

Sweet Caroline

2.66k

01/27/21 at 5:14PM UTC

I think companies often use the tag line "please apply if you see something in the future" but few companies will actually re-hire someone. I was once told by someone in recruiting they never hire back former employees because those people are rarely happy when they come back. It's unfortunate but I think in your case move on, forget about this company. This is very unlikely due to ethnic background, it maybe a company culture fit (which is different than culture fit for other reasons) or maybe they just really don't want to hire back people.

1 Reply

Anonymous

01/27/21 at 5:40PM UTC

Thanks for the honesty. My managers, the director, the head of HR all individually called me to tell me to please consider reapplying so I guess I feel lied to. Everyone said it was the pandemic. They rehired one staff person for a temporary, grant funded, position so I guess I really was dumb enough to believe them.

1 Reply

A Craver

01/28/21 at 1:32PM UTC

Based on the fact that so many people told you to pursue the job opening, I personally would reach out to whichever one I had the closest connection with to get more information. Just be sure to not put too much pressure on them. The shorter the better probably.

Kia

Founder, YOUAuthority

01/27/21 at 5:49PM UTC

First - I'm very sorry that you and your co-workers lost your jobs. That happened to me 2x during the last recession. Unfortunately - as others have mentioned, companies attempt to pacify the employees they're laying off by offering false hopes or "hallmark cards" in an effort to somehow soften the blow. It's easy to say "don't take it personally" but to the individual being impacted, it's quite personal. And that's okay. Experiences are supposed to be personal. What I would say to you now though - is fight like hell to shake this off, and move forward. Delete the email and completely let it go, or save it in a rejections folder as motivation. Do whatever you need to do, turn that rejection email into a positive for YOU. EVERYTHING happens for a reason. It's not a cliché. It's truth. YOU GOT THIS! (read this post) https://www.youauthority.com/post/friends-this-too-shall-pass

User edited comment on 01/27/21 at 6:47PM UTC

1 Reply

Anonymous

01/27/21 at 5:56PM UTC

Thank you. Probably the most realistic advise possible. I was almost laid off in the Recession which is why I reskilled myself. But in general, I've no previous experience being laid off period much less due to a pandemic.

1 Reply

Jamilla Segar

248

01/29/21 at 11:31PM UTC

Kia’s advice is valuable. Deleting the email and fighting like hell to move forward is crucial for your well being. I was affected by the last recession. I’ve been affected by the pandemic also but, I have perspective in the sense that this is new territory that affects many in so many different ways. After being laid off in 2009, I’ve noticed differences in work environments. What you are fretting over now may not be a big of a deal when in the future you find a work community that functions differently. You’ll encounter a workplace that’ll respect you more In so many different ways!

Anonymous

01/28/21 at 1:28AM UTC

So realistically not everyone who was laid off is someone they'd want to rehire. Genuinely, my company took the list of everyone getting cut and made a separate list of immediate rehires if something became available. It may be you aren't the right fit for this. It may be that they won't want you back for anything.

Autumn Velez

01/28/21 at 1:12PM UTC

Rejection is redirection! Don’t take it too personally.

Anonymous

01/28/21 at 1:40PM UTC

Let me just say that I feel your pain. Remember you are far more valuable than a job position.

Anonymous

01/28/21 at 2PM UTC

A lot of things have to do with money. You won’t know what’s going on with their limited budget. It could be non-existent now or it could’ve shrank to be more suitable for someone with far less experience and cheaper.

Rhonda Magee

01/28/21 at 3:18PM UTC

It is hard to see it right now, but down the road, you will be doing a happy dance celebrating that you did not go back there! This opens your path to a better opportunity. Also, it sounds like this was only a temporary opportunity? You don’t need that, it would just set you up for more anxiety, worry about the end of the grant funding. Let it go. (I speak from experience—getting help from a good therapist is essential if you cannot do the mental work by yourself. Don’t overlook that this might be a form of trauma for you) There is no shame in any of this. Another tip: get anything by Brene Brown (audio is great) on Vulnerability. Listen several times.

Anonymous

01/28/21 at 4:07PM UTC

Perhaps of interest, I did get a little some feedback. They hired someone with strong experience regarding an element NOT listed in the job posting. I do know that the former occupant of the position did not hold this skill either and had it been on the job posting, I would not have applied. I strongly suspect that the person they hired does not have the minimum qualifications listed in the job posting but I have seen that happen before as well.

1 Reply

Anonymous

01/29/21 at 3:21AM UTC

Awesome ....now you have closure and can leave this one alone and finally move forward. I'm so happy for you.

Julia Howe

01/28/21 at 4:42PM UTC

(warning: completely cynical genX opinion) What cowards. They don't even have the decency to give you an explanation in person, and a good recommendation? The problem with being somewhere a long time is they will just see you as that function only. There's no growth. There are no challenges and no opportunities to prove yourself as being someone who will grow with the company. If you've been in the same role for many many years.. there's also the possibility raises aren't exactly happening because they've set the upper limit of pay for that function and they don't see you as particularly as a flight risk. Overall, the way corporate america treats workers these days is deplorable. They expect loyalty from workers but they don't provide stability, respect, or provide a roadmap for mutual success. Just be on the lookout for new opportunities and vocally shamelessly announce when you're branching out into different skillsets.

1 Reply

Anonymous

01/28/21 at 7:42PM UTC

In this case, I had just left a place I had been working at for 18 years. Changed jobs worked 8 months and then was laid off due to Covid. They said that they would give me an outstanding reference and I actually believe them on that. What they did do, for a part time temporary job, is hire someone else based on a criteria not listed in the job posting. But the rest of what you wrote was spot on regarding my previous employer.

User edited comment on 01/28/21 at 7:42PM UTC

Anonymous

01/28/21 at 6:20PM UTC

I was also “laid off due to COVID” (in April 2020). I 1,000% believe that the company was grateful to have COVID as an excuse because they had already started laying off in November 2019. COVID provided a cover story for their layoffs. In my six years with the company, they frequently had layoffs. My opinion (based on evidence I saw in my role) has always been that they budgeted poorly, over hired, and then laid off to deal with it. They have continued hiring even now during the pandemic for some of the positions so they are not learning any lessons by trying to stay lean. Now to your issue: I am sympathetic to feeling rejected by them. But I would like to offer a silver lining for you (that may not be pleasant to hear). This is a chance to move on with your career somewhere else. I understand that the layoff was due to COVID. However, you were LAID OFF, not furloughed, so the company made a decision that it could function without you and your other laid off coworkers. At least if you had been furloughed, it would have been like placing you on hold until they could bring you back. Now that they are hiring again, they are using their cleaned house to refresh their work force. Maybe they’re going in a different direction because they realizes that they hadn’t hired all of the right people before, and now they have a new chance to hire. They can also take advantage of desperately unemployed people (whereas returning employees would want their original salaries or close to it). This doesn’t have to apply to you but you’re part of the layoff class that they just want to move away from. In my case, if they called and offered me my job back, I’d turn it down immediately. Once a company shows that they don’t need you and you are expendable, they will do it again if they have the chance. Good luck in your job search!

User edited comment on 01/28/21 at 11:34PM UTC

1 Reply

Anonymous

01/28/21 at 7:47PM UTC

Just to be as fair as possible. This organization was a non-profit and they were forced to close completely due to Covid. 100 percent closed as were most of the similar institutions around the United States. Now they can, in theory open now, but the cleaning required due to Covid is cost prohibitive. But you are 100% dead right. Their budgets were very thin.

Lourdes

01/28/21 at 10:25PM UTC

If you continue to give this energy, it will eat you alive. Rejection is GOOD, it makes things clear and makes you move on! Accept their decision and redirect all your energy to new, even better, more exciting opportunities!! Best of luck!!