Feeling

I've been laid off five times throughout my career, and I've also had to lay off employees myself on several occasions. From my experiences, I can tell you that layoffs today often feel very different from the mass reductions in the past. It's common for individuals to feel gaslit and to blame themselves for perceived poor performance when, in reality, that usually has little to do with the decision to let them go. Companies can struggle for a long time, and after a big wave of layoffs, they often find that cutting jobs doesn't magically lead to growth. When financial pressure mounts, companies typically have two options: raise more money or tighten their belts. Unfortunately, many companies hesitate to conduct multiple rounds of layoffs because it signals deeper issues to creditors and clients, which can lead to a downward spiral. This is where the 'onesie/twosie' era comes into play, where managers are tasked with making cuts on a smaller scale, often with little direction and minimal notice, sometimes as frequently as every quarter. As a manager, I always tried to make fair decisions based on factors like skill replaceability and cost-effectiveness, but I've seen others use this time to settle personal scores or to favor friends. In some cases, decisions are made higher up, leaving managers to inform employees without any input. If a company is ethical, they will frame these smaller cuts as 'restructuring' and provide fair severance while assuring employees that their performance isn't the issue. However, some companies will claim they aren't laying off employees but are only cutting those with poor performance, which can lead to managers documenting minor issues to justify their decisions. This approach can also be used to minimize severance packages, and it can have a devastating impact on the mental health of those affected, causing them to doubt themselves at a critical time. The reality is that layoff decisions are often made quickly and can be influenced by a variety of factors, some rational and others not. If your performance was genuinely an issue, you would have received feedback through performance reviews or improvement plans. If you were not replaced after a layoff, it likely came down to budget cuts, plain and simple. I hope sharing these insights helps others navigate this challenging landscape, and I'm open to any questions.

I'm a 25-year-old feeling overwhelmed by the constant fear of layoffs in my current job. Even though I still have my position, the uncertainty of the job market is weighing heavily on me. I'm actively trying to grow and learn more in my role, but that fear of losing my job never really fades. On top of that, I'm in a situationship with a girl I really like, but I can't see a future together. The thought of marriage or building a stable life feels unrealistic right now, which adds to my anxiety. I find myself torn between focusing on my career and the fear of losing everything if I were to get laid off. Sometimes, I think maybe I should just dedicate myself entirely to work, so if I do lose my job, at least I won't be dragging anyone else down with me. I've seen others share their experiences, and it seems like saving as much as possible is crucial. I've heard stories of people getting laid off and struggling for months to find new jobs, so having a financial cushion sounds like a smart move. Keeping my resume updated and staying connected in my field also seems important, but the emotional toll of all this is exhausting.

I just got laid off today from my role as a Network Engineer. I had a meeting set with the director, and I felt a sense of dread as I entered, knowing it could only mean bad news. When I saw HR there, I knew my time was up. They went through their script about financial restructuring, and I just nodded along, feeling numb. I’m completely shocked and devastated. I worked hard for over two years to land this position, and now it’s gone. The reality hit me hard—I have a mortgage and bills to pay. Crying won’t help, so I immediately started applying for any job I could find, from limo driver to security guard, anything to keep the income flowing. Tomorrow, I plan to visit companies in person and talk to recruiters directly. I need to secure something quickly to make sure I can cover my mortgage. It feels heavy on my heart, and I’m scared. I don’t want to break down, especially since I have mouths to feed. I’m even considering selling my beloved motorcycle, which I’ve upgraded myself and cherish, just to have some cash on hand. I never thought I’d be in this position, but I feel like I might have to let go of things I love to keep my family afloat. I did apply for EDD, but I’d rather find a job and earn more than rely on unemployment, which won’t cover my expenses for long.

I recently received a conditional job offer from a government position that I'm really excited about. A friend who works there referred me, and after four months of waiting, I finally got the offer. However, there's a catch: the offer is contingent on my current employer being contacted for a reference check. They want me to give my notice before they reach out to my current job, which makes me really nervous. I love my current role and the pay is good, especially since I'm going through a divorce and have no savings to fall back on. I'm worried that if I give my notice and something goes wrong with the new job offer, I could be left without any job at all. I really need to figure out how to handle this situation. I want to move forward with the new opportunity, but the risk feels too high right now. Any advice on how to navigate this would be greatly appreciated.

I recently moved to Colorado Springs with my family last October, and I've been struggling to find an entry-level job. Despite sending out over 200 applications, I haven't received a single interview. I'm 19 years old, have a high school diploma, and no prior work experience. I've even visited the workforce center, which directed me to several hiring agencies, but none have led to interviews. I don’t have any disabilities or criminal record, and I don’t use social media, yet I feel completely lost in this job search. I'm starting to wonder if there's any hope for me to actually land an interview. I've tried tailoring my applications and following up, but it seems like I'm hitting a wall. I've considered various suggestions, like looking into direct support roles or walking into places like fast food restaurants to apply in person. However, I still feel overwhelmed and unsure about the best approach to take. Any advice on how to break through this barrier would be greatly appreciated.

I'm currently navigating a tough decision regarding my employment status. I've been receiving unemployment benefits, but I'm considering whether I should take a PRN (as needed) job to fill a gap in my work history. The thought of explaining a gap in my resume is daunting since I've never been let go from a position before. I'm feeling a lot of pressure to find something stable, but I also know that the job market is challenging right now. I've received some advice suggesting that if I'm still on unemployment, the gap isn't a huge issue and can be explained as just searching for a job in a tough economy. However, I'm worried about what happens when my unemployment benefits run out. I'm looking for any insights or advice from others who have faced a similar situation.

I had a frustrating experience this week while interviewing for a project manager/coordinator role. On Monday, I had a recruiter phone call that went well, and she mentioned she would send my CV over for consideration. By Wednesday, I was contacted by the hiring manager to schedule a phone interview for Thursday, which I confirmed. However, later that evening, I received an interview invite for a Teams meeting, which confused me because the recruiter had indicated it would be a phone call. I wanted to clarify the format of the interview, so I emailed the hiring manager to confirm whether I should prepare for a phone call or access the Teams link. Unfortunately, I didn't receive a response before the interview. Then, just two hours before the scheduled time, I received an email canceling the interview along with a standard rejection letter citing a high volume of applications. I can't help but wonder if my request for clarification was perceived negatively or if they simply filled the position before my interview. This was a new experience for me, and I'm trying to not overthink it too much, reminding myself that maybe this job just wasn't meant to be.

I was laid off in February after working from home for five years at my company, where I was the top producer. When they called everyone back to the office, I decided not to return. Interestingly, the second top producer retired just ten weeks after my layoff. During my time there, I noticed a coworker who had been with the company for three years but barely contributed; she only produced three reports compared to my twenty and another colleague's fifteen. I recently discovered that she had been focusing on getting an online bachelor’s degree during her time at work. It’s quite amusing to think about how oblivious my old boss was to the disparity in productivity.

I was laid off last week from my position managing an investment portfolio at a small company where I had worked for over a decade. This was a huge shock for me, especially since I had just learned that my wife and I are expecting twins this fall, alongside our very young son. The layoff came after our VP retired and the company decided to hire an external candidate instead of promoting my boss, which capped my growth potential. I had casually started looking for new opportunities this year, but I wasn't prepared for the sudden restructuring that led to my position being eliminated. I had a spontaneous meeting with HR and my boss, and it felt surreal to hear that I would be out of a job soon. Now, I'm facing the reality of possibly not being able to take any family leave when the twins arrive, and I'm losing a remote position that is hard to replace. Thankfully, my network has been supportive, and I have two screener calls lined up for roles that could be a fit, although one might not offer much of a financial advantage after tax and benefits. I've reached out to headhunters and industry contacts for leads, but responses have been sparse since mentioning my layoff. I know others have it worse, and my family is ready to support us, but it’s still a tough situation. I'm trying to stay optimistic and focused on finding a new role as quickly as possible.

I just received a retrenchment notice from my company after 7 years of service. I'm 29 years old and this week on Tuesday, my lead informed me that HR wanted to speak with me. Unfortunately, I found out that I am one of 30 employees being laid off, with my last day of work set for this Friday. This gives me only 3 days' notice before my final reporting day. To make matters worse, my salary has been delayed since January 2026, and I haven't received any benefits since October 2025. I'm considering whether I should file a report with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regarding this situation.

I had a great first round interview with a large hospital in NYC, and they quickly moved me to an on-site interview where I met with about 8-9 different people. Everything seemed to go well, and I felt positive about my performance. However, it's now been 9 days since the on-site, and I'm starting to feel anxious. I followed up after 7 days but haven't received a response yet. The HR team was very prompt in their communications before, which adds to my concern. I know that 9 days isn't a long time in the hiring process, but I'm starting to wonder when I should really start worrying about the lack of communication.

I recently received my second write-up in just 28 days at my job as an assistant to the lead manager at a newly opened location. The first write-up, which I later found out was actually a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), happened on May 13th, and the second one came on June 11th. There was no prior warning or discussion before either write-up. It's been a confusing and frustrating experience, especially since my boss went from being supportive to berating me in front of customers without any clear reason. I've been working hard, often going above and beyond, like actively seeking out positive Google reviews and even pulling weeds in the heat to improve our location's appearance. Despite my efforts, I receive no praise and only corrections for minor issues. My boss has criticized me for things like my shirt being untucked, which seems excessive. The latest write-up was for 'time theft' because I had to use the bathroom shortly after clocking in from lunch. My boss confronted me outside the bathroom, claiming I was being unfair to my coworkers for taking time to deal with a personal issue. I explained that I wasn't feeling well due to the heat and lack of sleep, but he insisted on writing me up anyway. I'm at a loss for what to do next. I feel like I'm being treated unfairly and don't understand why my boss's attitude has changed so drastically. I'm considering looking for a new job, but I'm also unsure about how to handle the situation with HR or if I should seek legal advice.

I recently went through a frustrating experience with DoorDash while applying for their Associate Data & Strategy role. I was really excited about the opportunity and prepared thoroughly for the recruiter screen. However, on the day of the interview, the recruiter had to reschedule because they were sick. I understood and rearranged my schedule. Unfortunately, the same thing happened again the following week; they rescheduled on the same day due to ongoing illness. By this point, I had already adjusted my plans twice and waited almost two weeks just to have a conversation. Then, out of the blue, I received an email stating that DoorDash is no longer hiring for the position, and my interview was canceled. It wasn't even a rejection after an interview; the role was simply canceled after all that waiting. I'm left feeling disrespected and frustrated. Has anyone else experienced companies dragging them along only to cancel roles entirely? This seems like a growing trend, and it’s incredibly disappointing.

I’ve been reflecting on my longest stretch of unemployment, which lasted for seven months. It was an incredibly tough time, filled with uncertainty and frustration as I sent out countless applications without much response. I remember feeling like I was just throwing my resume into a void. I’ve seen others share their experiences too; one person mentioned they’re currently at one year and two months but are determined to keep going despite the challenges. Another shared a story about being unemployed for nearly a year due to a series of personal tragedies, but they eventually found stability with a new job. It’s comforting to know that others have faced similar struggles, and it reminds me to stay hopeful as I continue my job search.

I have an interview tomorrow for my first job as a bartender at a popular spot in my city. This will be my first experience in this role, and I'm feeling pretty anxious about it. I recently got fired from a fast food job after only three hours because I was deemed 'too slow' and lacking basic knowledge, which really shook my confidence. As someone who is introverted and autistic, I often struggle with ADHD and social anxiety, so I'm worried about making a good impression and not repeating my previous experience. I want to know what I can do to succeed on my first day and avoid getting fired again. I know I might not be as outgoing as others, but I'm determined to give it my best shot. Also, I made a mistake in my original post; I meant to say bartender, not barista. Just realized the difference!

I recently went through a series of job interviews where I encountered some red flags that made me reconsider my options. In three different interviews, the managers were surprisingly casual, almost too friendly, which initially felt nice. However, they quickly started discussing the employees I would be replacing in a negative light. One manager even asked me how I handle workplace gossip, which immediately raised alarms for me. Having previously worked in a similar environment filled with drama and disdain towards management, I knew I didn't want to step into that kind of situation again. After a couple of days of feeling uneasy, I decided to withdraw from the process entirely. I believe that mutual respect is crucial in a workplace, and if a company doesn't value its people, it's not the right fit for me.

I recently found myself feeling frustrated with family members who haven't been in the job market for years. They started critiquing my job search methods, which felt really out of touch. It's tough when people who haven't navigated the current job landscape for a long time think they know what's best for me. On a related note, I'm curious if anyone has had success using a job agency. I'm considering it myself and would love to hear about others' experiences with agencies and whether they found them helpful in securing a job.

I lost my job on March 1st and have been searching for new opportunities ever since. Unfortunately, I was discharged due to absenteeism, which led to my disqualification from unemployment benefits. I've received two notices: one stating I was disqualified due to my separation from the job, and another citing my unavailability to work. This is my first time navigating unemployment, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. I need guidance on how to appeal these decisions. I've heard that I might need to appeal each determination separately, but I'm not sure how to proceed or what information I need to provide. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I was laid off about two months ago after being on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) for the previous two months. Initially, I felt a surge of anger towards my organization and colleagues, convinced they had made a mistake in letting me go. After all, I had a solid job with a good salary at a reputable company, and I knew how much that stability meant in my life. However, as time passed, I began to reflect on my own shortcomings. I realized that my lack of communication, failure to meet deadlines, and overall laziness contributed significantly to my situation. I had mistakenly thought that my two years of service would protect me from being fired, but I was wrong. Now, I carry a heavy guilt for losing such a great opportunity due to my own actions. I can't help but feel that I may never get the chance to work for a company like that again. I'm seeking advice on how to move past this experience. Has anyone else gone through something similar? How did you cope with the aftermath?

I recently submitted over 3,000 job applications in my search for a design role, and the results have been disheartening. I only received one part-time offer, which really highlights how tough the job market is for designers right now. To better understand this situation, I collected data from 156 fellow job seekers and discovered some alarming trends. To share this information and promote transparency in the job market, I created a website where anyone can access the data for free. I'm committed to helping others navigate these challenging times.