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Going in house is the move, right?
Please, make this ad on LinkedIn go away.
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I’ve been there twice, back to back. Both hits landed around the holidays and one of them was right after I got married. I learned the hard way that it is almost never personal, even when it feels like it is. I also learned to play the game a little more, even when I hate it, instead of pushing back on things that made me a target.
The other thing I took from it was to save as much as possible because layoffs can blindside anyone in this economy. And to network constantly, even when things feel stable. Always have a plan B ready. You will find something better than whatever did this to you.
Apply for unemployment benefits asap. It won’t cover everything but it’ll help. Cobra is usually more expensive than Obamacare so go to your states healthcare market and look through options.
December is not a great time to get hired but you never know so take a few days off to relax and recharge… but then start a contact list, and get your site, LinkedIn and resume in shape. Start reaching out to recruiters, old coworkers etc.
Be open to freelance and whatever projects come your way money is money and you can always quit when something better comes along.
As someone already said positivity will go a long way in this market, so don’t let rejections get you down. Take breaks when you need to but you gotta keep going
COBRA is great if you have existing relationships with doctors. The cost for me between COBRA and ACA was the same for the same type of benefits. Definitely apply for unemployment immediately.
Sorry this happened. It has nothing to do with who you are or how you work. It will feel personal but it’s not and it’s unfortunately all too common now. Take some time to breathe before you jump to the next.
Not that you want to hear this, but I’ve never understood or believed the “it’s not personal” line. How is it not? Something put you on the chopping block ahead of other people.
The fact that they didn’t give you an offer to stay at a lower salary makes it personal
Sorry to hear. First, I’d (and have) negotiated longer insurance coverage. They balk but have always given me more. Never heard of stopping it immediately. I’d ask through January at a minimum. They’re usually more amenable to extended coverage than more severance.
As another poster said, apply for Unemployment immediately. There’s a mandatory wait period and you want to receive cash as soon as that’s over.
Regarding finding a new gig, I’ve always had more success diligently working my contact and ex-co-worker list than relying on a recruiter. Explore both avenues, but your network is more apt to work on your behalf than any recruiter. Don’t feel shame for being laid off, or allow any embarrassment to impede your reaching out. Everyone understands and you’ll be amazed at how good folks want to help (while others ghost you.)
Good luck, it sucks, but I’ve always come out the other side better off.
Not sure if your finances will allow it, but if you can, take a breather/vacation/time off, for as long as your budget allows.
I was fortunate enough to be able to do that when I got the chop, and it was really helpful from a ‘reset’ perspective and also stopped me making poor career choices out of desperation.
It also helps with the inevitable rejections and ghosting that you’ll encounter. As D2 said, stay positive, have faith in yourself and try focus on the positives of being ‘off work’ - hit the gym, do the projects you never had time for, visit friends and recharge your batteries.
Good luck
This is fantastic advice because I have taken roles out of desperation and had to learn the hard way to take my time and make sure it is a good fit and that you are working for decent people. My most recent boss seemed to have multiple personalities and generally treated people terribly. I could not run fast enough out of that door so please don't make he same mistake I did.
Look at jobs at Dentsu or Huge. Huge I believe is fully remote. Best of luck to you
Dentsu has been laying off people all year.
Who were you with
It’s like being on squid game The people that run these holding companies are posting from there, vacations in glamorous places as if life is grand for everyone. The gap between rich and poor in this industry mirrors that is happening in the UK and the states. In Brazil and Hong Kong. We work nights weekends and holidays to make a handful of people rich and they can kill us at any turn. For nothing. Because we have no unions and no legal support. Get out of these holding companies. However, you can.
It was an independent agency sadly
Same thing happened to me a month ago. Pounded 80+ meetings with others at the company and was very fortunate another role opened up. My hard work and reputation definitely helped and I was offered this new job. It could have just as easily turned into 2 years of unemployment. Positivity is invaluable in times like these.
I was just freelancing for a small place (in-house) and the same thing happened there, same day. I’m sorry. I got laid off from a big agency in may this year. I’m still salty about it.
Just curious, where were you both? I’m at a small shop and weird things seem to be happening.
Go spend a few months freelancing and working in Vietnam or wherever. I don’t think the bleeding will stop for awhile. Advertising has always been the canary in the coal mine.
Severance is negotiable, before signing anything, get more severance!
Congratulations! You can now start the normal part of your life. No more lies or ridiculous “concepts” of pipes and other silly illustrations. Get out of the industry and your skin will clear, you’ll lose weight, and you won’t feel like the complete failure that they constantly try to tell you you are.