I was laid off a few days ago after spending over five years in in-house communications at a tech company in Germany. The past year and a half had been particularly tough, as new leadership came in and my role diminished significantly. I stayed out of a desire for stability, even though I felt increasingly sidelined. Now, as I begin my job search for the first time in years, I'm facing the daunting reality of a challenging job market. The hardest part for me isn't the rejections; it's the lingering feeling of invisibility that has eroded my confidence. I find myself questioning my worth and abilities, wondering how I managed to stay in a role where I felt so overlooked for so long. Each rejection feels like a validation of those doubts instead of just a simple 'no.' I'm reaching out for advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation—laid off or feeling small in their role—and had to rebuild their self-belief while job searching. What strategies helped you regain your confidence and shift your mindset? Any insights would be greatly appreciated.