Anonymous
Post 08/12/2025 13:51     Subject: Finally got a job & unhappy
Anonymous wrote:Are you sure you want to go back to this industry? Do you know what kind of job would be satisfying? Do you have the resources to take a detour and start over in a new field?

I was laid off earlier this year. I applied to other jobs in my field and had a panic attack when I got an interview. That was my sign that I did not want to go back to my field, so I am back in school working on a certification and hope to start over in something new early in 2026.

Is that maybe a path for you?


I do not want to go back to the industry but it’s the only job offer I’ve gotten so I have to take it. The job I lost was the way forward but that may not come back until 2028. I’m going to keep looking for other jobs. No resources to completely start over.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2025 13:48     Subject: Finally got a job & unhappy
Anonymous wrote:Are you sad b/c you kinda liked sleeping-in, being at home all day not working (minus the applying process), and doing your own thing at your own pace?
And now you have to schlepp into the daily grind?


I’m sad because this industry drained me and does not give good work life balance. I don’t sleep in- I have a kid.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2025 13:39     Subject: Finally got a job & unhappy
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I get it. I was unfairly fired from a govt contractor I was employed with for over 10 years, no issues until the end and very good reviews. The customer complained about me not doing a task with no written or verbal directions (basically a competitor set me up) but my managers didn’t back me (even though they knew what was happening all along) because the customer is always right. Also, they didn’t want to have to pay me severance so they pushed me out to satisfy the toxic customer who btw had recently similarly removed 5 other senior consultants from other govt contractors.

I have a tentative job offer but I dread returning to a potential toxic workplace with government staff who don’t appreciate their contract staff and sometimes treat us badly.


The sad thing is I really liked the job I lost. I was remote, making good money, finally had work life balance. Now I’ve got a big pay decrease, 3 hr commute, & working in a very very white space. I guess this is my grieving period.


So, keep looking.

And what does a "very very white space" mean? Are you a cement pourer?


I took it to mean the office is boring.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2025 13:36     Subject: Finally got a job & unhappy
Anonymous wrote:Since November I knew my gov contractor job was on the line. I finally got furloughed in June. It has been a struggle the last 6 months or so to find new work. Yesterday, I was finally offered a new job and took it because I have no other options (unemployment insurance will not keep me afloat). Instead of being grateful and happy I have employment, insurance and don’t have to check MWE anymore I am sad. I am going back to an industry that had my mental health in the toilet, doesn’t pay well, and overall just not excited to do the work. This is so unlike me. I will keep looking for a job I’ll be satisfied with, but I feel bad not being excited in this awful awful market. No real advice needed, I’m just sad.


You should be thankful you have a job.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2025 12:52     Subject: Finally got a job & unhappy
I’ve never had the opportunity to work remotely, only onsite for DoD/IC agencies, so I’ve stayed in unchallenging, undesirable and even toxic jobs only for a decent 30 minute or less commute each way. But now with RTO, that 30 minute commute crept up to 45 minutes, sometimes more. Now looking for another job under 60 minutes each way, grrrr.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2025 12:35     Subject: Finally got a job & unhappy
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I get it. I was unfairly fired from a govt contractor I was employed with for over 10 years, no issues until the end and very good reviews. The customer complained about me not doing a task with no written or verbal directions (basically a competitor set me up) but my managers didn’t back me (even though they knew what was happening all along) because the customer is always right. Also, they didn’t want to have to pay me severance so they pushed me out to satisfy the toxic customer who btw had recently similarly removed 5 other senior consultants from other govt contractors.

I have a tentative job offer but I dread returning to a potential toxic workplace with government staff who don’t appreciate their contract staff and sometimes treat us badly.


The sad thing is I really liked the job I lost. I was remote, making good money, finally had work life balance. Now I’ve got a big pay decrease, 3 hr commute, & working in a very very white space. I guess this is my grieving period.


That commute is toxic. Fix that and you are half way there.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2025 12:33     Subject: Finally got a job & unhappy
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I get it. I was unfairly fired from a govt contractor I was employed with for over 10 years, no issues until the end and very good reviews. The customer complained about me not doing a task with no written or verbal directions (basically a competitor set me up) but my managers didn’t back me (even though they knew what was happening all along) because the customer is always right. Also, they didn’t want to have to pay me severance so they pushed me out to satisfy the toxic customer who btw had recently similarly removed 5 other senior consultants from other govt contractors.

I have a tentative job offer but I dread returning to a potential toxic workplace with government staff who don’t appreciate their contract staff and sometimes treat us badly.


The sad thing is I really liked the job I lost. I was remote, making good money, finally had work life balance. Now I’ve got a big pay decrease, 3 hr commute, & working in a very very white space. I guess this is my grieving period.


So, keep looking.

And what does a "very very white space" mean? Are you a cement pourer?
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2025 12:31     Subject: Finally got a job & unhappy
I’m really sorry OP. I am in a similar situation.

Can you look at this as a paid job search - or find something, anything positive about your situation, even if it’s getting some ‘resume bullets’ that could lead to a better job?
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2025 12:21     Subject: Finally got a job & unhappy
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I get it. I was unfairly fired from a govt contractor I was employed with for over 10 years, no issues until the end and very good reviews. The customer complained about me not doing a task with no written or verbal directions (basically a competitor set me up) but my managers didn’t back me (even though they knew what was happening all along) because the customer is always right. Also, they didn’t want to have to pay me severance so they pushed me out to satisfy the toxic customer who btw had recently similarly removed 5 other senior consultants from other govt contractors.

I have a tentative job offer but I dread returning to a potential toxic workplace with government staff who don’t appreciate their contract staff and sometimes treat us badly.


The sad thing is I really liked the job I lost. I was remote, making good money, finally had work life balance. Now I’ve got a big pay decrease, 3 hr commute, & working in a very very white space. I guess this is my grieving period.


Do other jobs like the one you lost exist? Could you look at this one as a stop gap and keep looking?
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2025 12:20     Subject: Finally got a job & unhappy
Are you sure you want to go back to this industry? Do you know what kind of job would be satisfying? Do you have the resources to take a detour and start over in a new field?

I was laid off earlier this year. I applied to other jobs in my field and had a panic attack when I got an interview. That was my sign that I did not want to go back to my field, so I am back in school working on a certification and hope to start over in something new early in 2026.

Is that maybe a path for you?
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2025 12:11     Subject: Finally got a job & unhappy
Are you sad b/c you kinda liked sleeping-in, being at home all day not working (minus the applying process), and doing your own thing at your own pace?
And now you have to schlepp into the daily grind?
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2025 11:54     Subject: Finally got a job & unhappy
Anonymous wrote:I get it. I was unfairly fired from a govt contractor I was employed with for over 10 years, no issues until the end and very good reviews. The customer complained about me not doing a task with no written or verbal directions (basically a competitor set me up) but my managers didn’t back me (even though they knew what was happening all along) because the customer is always right. Also, they didn’t want to have to pay me severance so they pushed me out to satisfy the toxic customer who btw had recently similarly removed 5 other senior consultants from other govt contractors.

I have a tentative job offer but I dread returning to a potential toxic workplace with government staff who don’t appreciate their contract staff and sometimes treat us badly.


The sad thing is I really liked the job I lost. I was remote, making good money, finally had work life balance. Now I’ve got a big pay decrease, 3 hr commute, & working in a very very white space. I guess this is my grieving period.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2025 11:54     Subject: Finally got a job & unhappy
“I was looking for a job and then I found a job. And heaven knows I’m miserable now.”

—The Smiths
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2025 11:46     Subject: Finally got a job & unhappy
I get it. I was unfairly fired from a govt contractor I was employed with for over 10 years, no issues until the end and very good reviews. The customer complained about me not doing a task with no written or verbal directions (basically a competitor set me up) but my managers didn’t back me (even though they knew what was happening all along) because the customer is always right. Also, they didn’t want to have to pay me severance so they pushed me out to satisfy the toxic customer who btw had recently similarly removed 5 other senior consultants from other govt contractors.

I have a tentative job offer but I dread returning to a potential toxic workplace with government staff who don’t appreciate their contract staff and sometimes treat us badly.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2025 11:23     Subject: Finally got a job & unhappy
Since November I knew my gov contractor job was on the line. I finally got furloughed in June. It has been a struggle the last 6 months or so to find new work. Yesterday, I was finally offered a new job and took it because I have no other options (unemployment insurance will not keep me afloat). Instead of being grateful and happy I have employment, insurance and don’t have to check MWE anymore I am sad. I am going back to an industry that had my mental health in the toilet, doesn’t pay well, and overall just not excited to do the work. This is so unlike me. I will keep looking for a job I’ll be satisfied with, but I feel bad not being excited in this awful awful market. No real advice needed, I’m just sad.