Personal timeline

boomoptumeric's journey

Milestones, reflections, and progress updates connected as your layoff-to-next-step story unfolds.

  1. 2
    Applied to a Job Feeling Planning Thinking

    I was laid off 2.5 months ago from a leadership position at a company where I envisioned building my career. Since then, I've been tirelessly searching for new opportunities, applying to around 200 positions with customized resumes, cover letters, and portfolios. I've dedicated countless hours to networking and developing relationships, hoping for referrals with every outreach. So far, I've gone through nearly 100 interviews, repeating the same questions, and some companies have put me through over a dozen interviews before ultimately rejecting me. Currently, I'm in the 'final stage' with a couple of companies that I've been engaging with throughout this entire process. However, I feel completely exhausted. My anxiety has escalated to a point where I can't even take a deep breath. My heart races, my palms are sweaty, and my hands tremble constantly. This anxiety isn't just tied to interviews or applications; it's a persistent state I find myself in every day. I feel somewhat ridiculous for how my body is reacting, especially since I'm doing well in terms of interviews and opportunities. Yet, this job search is wreaking havoc on my nervous system, and I'm worried that if I don't secure a position soon, my ability to present myself effectively will start to decline. I've never faced a situation like this before. It feels like the ground has been pulled out from under me, and the reality of my circumstances is beginning to sink in.

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  2. 1
    Applied to a Job Feeling Thinking

    I recently went through an intense job interview process for a high-level creative position at a top fashion brand, starting back in early April. After four interviews and a mock campaign project (which I completed despite it being unpaid, as I was eager for the role), I was finally invited to their headquarters to meet the team. Throughout the interviews, I received nothing but positive feedback, with senior management expressing their excitement about my potential fit for the role. However, I received an unexpected email today regarding my trip, which included details about scheduling interviews during my visit. I asked for clarification on what to expect, given that I had already met most of the decision-makers. They suggested we discuss it over the phone, which led to a shocking revelation: I didn’t get the job. They wanted to inform me ahead of time to prevent me from wasting my time flying out for interviews that wouldn’t lead anywhere. This abrupt change in tone has left me confused and frustrated. Just last week, I had a conversation with the top executive for this role, who praised my mock project and expressed that I was the only candidate who truly understood their brand direction. It felt like everything was aligned for me to take the next step, so this rejection feels completely out of the blue. I’ve sent a final note thanking the senior management for their time and asking for any feedback on my application. Right now, I’m feeling lost and defeated after investing so much time and energy into this process. I’m not sure what to do next, but I hope to gather my thoughts and move forward soon.

    Job title: high-level creative position

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