Will I ever find a new job?

[Anonymous]

Laid off six months ago. I feel out of control and scared. My severance ran out. I am paying for my own health care. I have savings and a spouse who has a healthy income, but this is a severe hit financially, emotionally, psychologically. I worked so hard for what I have and I now have nothing. I just apply to places, wait, and hope. I am not even in an industry that is consulting-friendly (sales). I feel nauseated all the time. Depressed. Nervous. I never expected to be here. I am ashamed and hopeless.

[Anonymous]

Take on some side work just to lift your spirits. Deliver for Doordash or work retail on weekends. At least then you're brining some money home.

Watch this video and change "love" to "job"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Laid off six months ago. I feel out of control and scared. My severance ran out. I am paying for my own health care. I have savings and a spouse who has a healthy income, but this is a severe hit financially, emotionally, psychologically. I worked so hard for what I have and I now have nothing. I just apply to places, wait, and hope. I am not even in an industry that is consulting-friendly (sales). I feel nauseated all the time. Depressed. Nervous. I never expected to be here. I am ashamed and hopeless.

How old are you? What's your background? What industry are you in? Perhaps this could be time for career change. If so it could be a good time to retain yourself. Why aren't you on your spouse health insurance?

[Anonymous]

My BIL is 35 and laid off from tech sales for 6 months. Pivoted to insurance services sales and makes 3x his old salary with better WLB

[Anonymous]

This is a blip! You are in your pre-comeback era. Nobody stays unemployed forever. Take it one step at a time, one day at a time. Don't pressure yourself to "find a job," focus on right-now tasks like setting up search alerts, creating multiple versions of your resume, finding networking opportunities. One step at a time will get you home. You got this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a blip! You are in your pre-comeback era. Nobody stays unemployed forever. Take it one step at a time, one day at a time. Don't pressure yourself to "find a job," focus on right-now tasks like setting up search alerts, creating multiple versions of your resume, finding networking opportunities. One step at a time will get you home. You got this!

This is a bit nonsensical. Many people in their 50s never return to professional work.

It does sound like their spouse incomes gives a lot of breathing room so that does reduce pressure.

[Anonymous]

It's especially dispiriting in sales since a long unemployment shows you are lacking in the ability to "sell" yourself. Long term unemployment in law doesn't necessarily reflect on legal expertise the same way (but if you are caught up in a lawsuit, then it would for example).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's especially dispiriting in sales since a long unemployment shows you are lacking in the ability to "sell" yourself. Long term unemployment in law doesn't necessarily reflect on legal expertise the same way (but if you are caught up in a lawsuit, then it would for example).

Wow, thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Laid off six months ago. I feel out of control and scared. My severance ran out. I am paying for my own health care. I have savings and a spouse who has a healthy income, but this is a severe hit financially, emotionally, psychologically. I worked so hard for what I have and I now have nothing. I just apply to places, wait, and hope. I am not even in an industry that is consulting-friendly (sales). I feel nauseated all the time. Depressed. Nervous. I never expected to be here. I am ashamed and hopeless.

You still have your knowledge and experienncem Have you tried registering with any temp agencies? You might pick up an assignment in your field and meet contacts that could help with a permanent job. It's also a huge ego boost to have some money coming in, even if it's less than what you made at your last job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's especially dispiriting in sales since a long unemployment shows you are lacking in the ability to "sell" yourself. Long term unemployment in law doesn't necessarily reflect on legal expertise the same way (but if you are caught up in a lawsuit, then it would for example).

Wow, thanks!

My point is pivot early, don't linger waiting for the perfect fit -- it has longer impact when you are sales. That's why sales guys are always changing jobs, to never be in this position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a blip! You are in your pre-comeback era. Nobody stays unemployed forever. Take it one step at a time, one day at a time. Don't pressure yourself to "find a job," focus on right-now tasks like setting up search alerts, creating multiple versions of your resume, finding networking opportunities. One step at a time will get you home. You got this!

This is a bit nonsensical. Many people in their 50s never return to professional work.

It does sound like their spouse incomes gives a lot of breathing room so that does reduce pressure.

New poster. This is definitely not nonsensical. It’s great advice and is the mindset jobseekers (including me) should be taking. Control what you can and trust that things will work out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a blip! You are in your pre-comeback era. Nobody stays unemployed forever. Take it one step at a time, one day at a time. Don't pressure yourself to "find a job," focus on right-now tasks like setting up search alerts, creating multiple versions of your resume, finding networking opportunities. One step at a time will get you home. You got this!

This is a bit nonsensical. Many people in their 50s never return to professional work.

It does sound like their spouse incomes gives a lot of breathing room so that does reduce pressure.

New poster. This is definitely not nonsensical. It’s great advice and is the mindset jobseekers (including me) should be taking. Control what you can and trust that things will work out.

Okay, well all my relatives were laid off by 53 and never worked again as professionals.

[Anonymous]

If you made made decent money, why wasn't some of it put aside for such occasions? If you didn't, there are many jobs out there you can get making about the same.
I never made much money and put some into investments. Now I have money and plenty of work.
It's not too late. Get the a job that pays less. It teaches you to live on less. Invest ca $500 every month for a decade+.

[Anonymous]

You’ve got this! You are hardworking and were successful in your last role. A layoff isn’t about your performance and isn’t personal though I’m sure it can feel that way. Use your connections to network. DD is fresh out of college and can’t find a job and I just came off a frustrating 6+ month search so I know it’s easy to get discouraged. But you have this!!! You will find something great!

[Anonymous]

Can you get added to your spouses healthcare?

I’ve been where you’re at. This is the sales life. You can make more at an earlier stage in your career than other fields, but it’s a risky life.

What did you sell?