I’ve been reflecting on my career journey, which has been quite turbulent since I graduated with my business degree ten years ago. Here’s a quick overview of my timeline: - I started out as a bookkeeper at a business management and accounting firm for three years before moving on to a new opportunity. - Then, I spent three years as a Sales Development Representative (SDR) in the SaaS industry, again leaving for what I thought would be a better fit. - After that, I worked for nine months as an Account Executive (AE) in SaaS but was laid off, leading to a nine-month period of unemployment. - I then took a sales rep position at an accounting advisory firm, but was laid off again after nine months, which resulted in another nine months of job searching. - Most recently, I was an SDR at a recruiting firm, but once more faced a layoff. - Currently, I am a sales rep in the print, packaging, and labels sector, where I’ve been for just over a year. The last three layoffs have really taken a toll on my confidence. I know logically that layoffs often stem from factors beyond an individual’s control, like company performance or budget cuts, but it's hard not to take it personally after experiencing it repeatedly. In my current role, I feel like I’m set up to struggle. The company is large, and most of the high-potential accounts are managed by long-tenured reps. With virtually no inbound leads, my success hinges on outbound prospecting, but I’m left with accounts that feel like scraps. Every morning, I wake up feeling anxious and depressed, almost expecting to be laid off again. It feels like I’m in a constant battle to prove my worth while my colleagues, who are all much older, maintain their existing customers rather than seek new business. I’m at a crossroads, unsure whether to keep pushing in my current role, seek another position, consider leaving sales altogether, or find a company where the territory and lead distribution are more equitable. I’m exhausted from feeling like my career is on shaky ground, with another setback lurking around the corner. With three kids and a mortgage, I’m living paycheck to paycheck, and they have no idea how much I struggle inside, feeling like a failure. Has anyone else been through multiple layoffs or found themselves in a series of ill-fitting sales roles? How did you rebuild your confidence and determine your next steps?