markusjalapeno's journey

I recently experienced a major layoff from my job due to a company-wide workforce reduction. Honestly, I didn’t care much for the job, so I started looking for new opportunities. I applied to several positions that seemed interesting, but many of them disappeared without explanation. I was left wondering if they chose someone else, if my skills weren't a match, or if something else happened entirely. It was frustrating, to say the least. After a while, I finally landed an interview, but it was just with a recruiter who asked a few questions. I felt like I answered them well, but they ended up going with someone else. I received some feedback and tried to improve for the next opportunity. The same situation happened again, but this time, I was told I needed to go through four more interviews, and they were looking to fill the position in about eight months. Meanwhile, I see some of my former colleagues thriving, which only adds to my feelings of emptiness. I can't shake the feeling of being a shell of my former self, trying to figure out what I did wrong to end up in the latest round of layoffs. I understand the company had to make tough decisions to meet their targets, but it still hurts. Getting out of bed has become a monumental challenge for me lately. I've been reading up on the job market and what positions might be safe, especially in tech and analytics, but the information is all over the place. It feels like no one really knows what the future holds, especially with the rapid evolution of AI. Some articles claim certain roles are safe for a couple of years, while others suggest otherwise. I’ve even had dark thoughts about giving up entirely, which I know is an exaggeration, but it captures how overwhelming this feels. I’m struggling to put one foot in front of the other, and hope is dwindling. I have a therapy appointment next week, which I’m looking forward to, but I feel incredibly alone in this process. If anyone has advice or has felt similarly, I would appreciate hearing from you. It’s tough to navigate this job search alone.