Tough Emotions After Layoff

[Anonymous]

I'm surprised you don't know why you were let go. I have known it every single time without anyone saying a word.
I never thought someone owed me a job. I was ready to be let go anytime as I didn't even have a contract.
If you are so great, work for yourself like I do.
You can still have all those feelings, but they seem self inflicted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised you don't know why you were let go. I have known it every single time without anyone saying a word.
I never thought someone owed me a job. I was ready to be let go anytime as I didn't even have a contract.
If you are so great, work for yourself like I do.
You can still have all those feelings, but they seem self inflicted.

They probably thought they wouldn’t be cut since they had seniority.

But as others have pointed out, seniority is meaningless. In fact it can be a liability if you are overpaid.

Productivity matters most.

And if you have a personality disorder or rub people the wrong way…or are rather invisible…then you aren’t likely to survive cuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't really know that I'm looking for help, just venting. I got laid off a few weeks ago and although my network has rallied around me and gotten me a few interviews already - I've been flat out told I'm getting an offer from one company - I have so many mixed feelings about my layoff. Idk how to describe it other than feeling rejected? It's like when you're in high school and the cool kids don't want to be your friend. There was one other person my title/level who got to stay, albeit on a different team, and now they are hiring new roles? So why couldn't I stay? Was I not good enough? Everyone interviewing me says I have an impressive resume and skillset so why wasn't I good enough for my previous company?

It's been a few weeks and I'm just having a hard time getting over it.

Layoffs are often about budget cuts and reorganizations. Don't take it personally. Do your best at interviews and be ready for the next adventure.

[Anonymous]

There is a whole Reddit section devoted to those experiencing layoffs. You might want to check it out for commiseration and validation of your feelings. Someone recommended the book The Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest.

I have a friend who was recently laid off. She was highly productive and well liked. Her immediate boss had no idea— the decisions were all made at a much higher level by those who seemingly had no clue.

I wish you well OP! Just remember, it’s not you, it’s them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't really know that I'm looking for help, just venting. I got laid off a few weeks ago and although my network has rallied around me and gotten me a few interviews already - I've been flat out told I'm getting an offer from one company - I have so many mixed feelings about my layoff. Idk how to describe it other than feeling rejected? It's like when you're in high school and the cool kids don't want to be your friend. There was one other person my title/level who got to stay, albeit on a different team, and now they are hiring new roles? So why couldn't I stay? Was I not good enough? Everyone interviewing me says I have an impressive resume and skillset so why wasn't I good enough for my previous company?

It's been a few weeks and I'm just having a hard time getting over it.

Oh please it's not personal OP it's business. This is not Europe. This is the US. We are a country that fires people at will. Is this your first ever layoff? How many years have you been working?

[Anonymous]

+1

It has happened to me twice- once part of a large re-engineering and the other when the company divested of a particular service line.

Life moves on and you need to always keep in mind it can happen to anyone.

To all- keep learning, brush up your resume yearly and be sure to have money in the bank.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just let go. Drop the rope.
You might have been too expensive compared to who is filling the "new roles" and maybe the new roles fir different skillsets.

I don’t think “drop the rope” is being used properly here.