Finding myself unexpectedly on the job market.

26 Comments

1. Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterOctober 6,2022 at 1:43PM UTC

   It sounds like you can be pretty straightforward - you left the first two to improve yourself, and the most recent was due to a restructuring that affected ____ number of employees.

   Keep in mind that, because of the pandemic, many people have short-term employment and gaps on their resume.

   Best wishes on your job search!

2. AnonymousOctober 7,2022 at 2:14PM UTC

   I agree! Great answer!

3. VictoriaOctober 6,2022 at 2:01PM UTC

   I think you answered your question! There's nothing wrong with leaving a company for a better opportunity. I think if you say this in your interview it will show that you're determined and motivated. Good luck with your search!

4. AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 2:22PM UTC

   As someone who has reviewed many, many resumes, I suggest adding a few-word description on the line next to your title or the company name for this position, indicating that there was a reorg and your position was eliminated. Without context, people reading your resume will fill in the blanks, possibly not in a way favorable to you (Was this person fired? Are they a job hopper?). Good luck in your job search!

5. AnonymousOctober 7,2022 at 3:49PM UTC

   I wouldn’t put it on a resume, but I would include the restructuring in a cover letter.

   If she’s fairly young, it’s pretty much expected to move around every few years to grow your career since most companies don’t invest in internal professional development these days.

6. AnonymousOctober 7,2022 at 12:31PM UTC

   Every position in any company is expendable. This is not the 1970s where people hired on and stayed a lifetime.

   I'm always amazed at the mentality of people.

   Put the contract ended and that's all these interviewers need to know plus only be concerned about your skillset and make that pop.

   Always keep in mind that the person interviewing you propbably doesn't know how to do your job and are working from a list of questions.

7. AnonymousOctober 7,2022 at 1:49PM UTC

   The “mentality of people” is because many times recruiters/HR are trying to screen people OUT, not in, and you don’t want to give them a reason to.

8. Shelby COctober 7,2022 at 12:46PM UTC

   I think that people are looking at things differently in the wake of the pandemic. Being a 'job hopper' used to be frowned upon; however, now it is a survival skill. I would not overthink it.

9. AnonymousOctober 7,2022 at 1:36PM UTC

   You just be honest and say the economy eliminated your position.

   If I can give you some advice though. It is kind of your current employer to let you know so far in advance but most companies are looking for people to start within 2 weeks after the hiring process is over.

   So that being said, I would say find a new job asap and just tell them in the interview you can start with a standard 2 weeks notice. Your current company is going through rounds of layoffs right now and your position expires at the end of Q4 so ideally you’d want to start before that happens.

   If you get out sooner than the end of the year, great. Dodged a bullet there.

10. Christi MillerOctober 7,2022 at 1:37PM UTC

    I think you explain it as you did in writing this post.

11. AnonymousOctober 7,2022 at 1:44PM UTC

    I agree with most on being honest. Most recruiters and HR don’t scrutinize this as much as maybe some hiring managers and by then you would be speaking with and can explain in more detail. I would not recommend making something up that is not true. I saw a suggestion below of saying a contract ended, if that isn’t true don’t say it!

12. Shaun PichlerOctober 7,2022 at 1:46PM UTC

    The truth is that you will find two kinds of hiring managers. One focused on how long you stayed in a role and the other that is focused on what you learned in each role you’ve had and how you applied those learnings. Run from the first and towards the second.

13. AnonymousOctober 7,2022 at 3:02PM UTC

    Got it - focus on what I learned and the places that this resonates with. Very helpful.

14. AnonymousOctober 7,2022 at 2:12PM UTC

    You have 2.5 months to look for another job. Start applying and interviewing for jobs now, this will give you time to choose the best position and the best pay. Hopefully, your manager will have the flexibility to give you time off to interview for other jobs. Ask your supervisor/manager if you can put them down as a professional reference, but only if you know they will give you a good reference.

    You may be thinking you want to stay around for the severance package, which in reality will only be one or two weeks of pay. Plus you will also be unemployed by that time.

15. AnonymousOctober 7,2022 at 3:01PM UTC

    Thanks for the helpful guidance.

16. AnonymousOctober 7,2022 at 3:27PM UTC

    I don't think there's a tricky answer. Be honest. what's wrong with leaving electively and now, you're going to be out of work due to restructuring. That's ok. Just be your best self.

17. Crystal HowellOctober 7,2022 at 5:42PM UTC

    That's about the average 2 years give or take. In this case, you say the job was eliminated and I'm looking for a larger corporation with stability and career growth.

18. Deb HornerOctober 7,2022 at 10:21PM UTC

    The reality is that the last several years have been difficult for both employers and employees. I doubt anyone will bat an eye at your time of tenure. While advisable to have longer term employment, sometimes the offer comes when you haven't been at your previous job that long. Sometimes you get restructured out of a job altogether. Decide how you will answer the question - practice answering it until it feels comfortable, and then let it go. You can practice any "tough" question the same way - why did you move so many times? Why did you leave in the middle of a term? Why did you choose to take a lesser position with the same company? Structure your response, practice what you will say, and then know that your interview skills are polished and ready to shine!

19. JYJOctober 8,2022 at 12:08AM UTC

    I was in the same boat in which I left jobs after a year for a bigger step up in title, money and responsibilities. I only left when it was clear that my accomplishments and contributions weren't going to get me anywhere with the current employer. Then I got let go due to a restructuring shortly after a year. Cringe!

    Smart companies will see that it's a good sign of your abilities when you can show on a resume that your knowledge and accomplishments increased with a couple of moves.

    It's OKAY to say there was a restructuring and it put me back into the market. AND I'm looking for a more permanent home. Be honest and keep it positive. There's no shame in any of it.

    The thinking that you're only a viable candidate if you've been someplace for 5-10 years is sooooo old school. That's not the world we've been living in.

    I don't look at someone as a job hopper when I see progression in roles. I understand that.

    YOU GOT THIS.

20. Olivia NascimentoOctober 8,2022 at 9:00AM UTC

    I'm sort of in the same boat after working for a very small charity for 3.5.years, I'm being restructured out of my current role and know that things will be pretty tough for women in my age group and ethnicity. At interview, just be honest but positive and forward-looking, and above all, do not sound as if you are desperate for the role, and don't sell yourself short. Employers can tell if you're just looking for any job so make sure your answers truly show an interest for the industry you are applying for. And fingers crossed! It may take time but the right job will come along sooner or later.

21. Sabrina CortesOctober 8,2022 at 12:01PM UTC

    I'm sorry to hear that you're in this situation!

    When this comes up in an interview, simply state the truth - the company was downsizing and you wanted to find a job that better fit your career goals and financial needs. Whatever you do, don't talk poorly about the job or the organizations. Think ahead of time something that you learned from while you worked there. This will help the interviewers see you in a positive light and it shows them what you can bring to their company too. :)

    I'm a professional Resume Writer and I'd love to offer you a free resume review. If you're interested, please email me at sabrina@writewithsabrina.com.

    Also, make sure you tailor your resume to each position you apply to. This increases the chances of your resume passing the applicant tracking system (ATS) and getting your resume into the hands of a Recruiter/Hiring Manager.

    I hope this helps! Feel free to reach out anytime!

    Sending you good vibes. :)

22. Calla M WiemeyerOctober 8,2022 at 2:57PM UTC

    I'm glad you are thinking ahead, because the question likely will come up.
    It did for me!

    I had re-entered the workforce after taking time off to raise children and spent 3 years in a part-time retail position, then spent 1 1/2 yrs in a second-shift banking position that, frankly, was a nightmare. Then, I found a job-share position that I spent another 1 1/2 years in (there should have been a revolving door on this one - I still outlasted most of my predecessors). I then took a temporary "gap" position that I knew going in would only last 9 months (it was fascinating work and I would still be doing it if it had been full time with benefits), then landed a position with a large corporation that I held for almost a decade.

    Then, I was offered an opportunity by a former supervisor who had left the corporation previously. It was when I interviewed with his HR department that the question of my prior work history came up.

    Be prepared for the questions. It's expensive to bring in and train a new hire, and the interviewer is trying to make the best decision possible, just as you are. Remain confident, calm and as open as possible about your work history.

    In my case, I explained that the first position was a "re-entry" into the workforce; I thought the second would be a step up but turned out to be a bad fit and the third turned out to be a worse mistake. The fourth had been offered to me by someone who watched me handle a bad situation at the job-share position with grace and poise and was impressed. While it was only a 9-month gig, I was able to move into a leadership role while there and gained so much experience and knowledge from the experience overall.

    While I was frank about the bad experiences, I focused on what I was able to contribute while there and on what I learned rather than bashing two poorly managed organizations. I took responsibility for accepting those positions while admitting I did not know up-front what I was walking into. I remained as neutral as possible about the companies involved and resisted the temptation to discredit them. I also focused on the fact that I received the last two opportunities because someone saw how I conducted myself under difficult circumstances and saw an opportunity to grab a valuable employee - hint, hint!

    My openness on the subject, my candor and the positive takeaway I exhibited kept me "alive" in the interview process, and I did receive an offer.

    I hope sharing my experience helps. Good luck!

23. VielayoApril 17,2025 at 6:01PM UTC
    When you interview, just be honest. Focus on how each role helped you grow and what motivated the moves. Emphasize that you’re now looking for long-term stability and alignment with your values. I actually talked to a career coach when I was in a similar spot (had to dig hard to find the Zing Coach phone number for guidance), and it really helped me frame my story confidently.
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