I was laid of very unexpectedly recently. I would like to take some time off (and work on my own projects for a change), and do have the means to do so for a few months. But I can’t seem to shake the job market anxiety that I won’t be able to find a new job, but on the other hand, I don’t want to land something “too soon.” Has anyone been in a similar spot?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Trust me, you’re not going to find anything “too soon”. I guarantee it won’t seem soon enough.

likehelpfulfunny

Sorry to hear friend. The market has been really rough these last 2 years so I doubt you’ll find something “too soon.”

Therefore since it’s definitely going to take awhile to find something anyway, I would start searching immediately while you work on your own projects.

At least that’s what I’d do.

likehelpful

Shake off the Anxiety. Work on your projects and enjoy your time away from corporate. The job market is in the toilet.

like

Enjoy your freedom of time for however long you’d be financially able—I think if one can take an extended break, absolutely take it, times are hard.

Meanwhile, I would put feelers out there right away to colleagues/connections you already know and trust, and let them know when you’re fully available. If you want to wait months to be available, that’s fine to say that, but as others have echoed, you may be waiting to find work for a while longer than that.

Maybe let yourself not vie for work (ie cold-applying or going to recruiters) for a month or so, see if your network can connect you to any opportunities, and then you can get back to the “hunt” for work if your network doesn’t strike gold.

I would take a couple of hours each day to look for jobs. Prep Ai and LinkedIn or other good sources. And then go about your personal projects. Do it early so you get the whole day for unexpected good or bad email news while you do your thing. And remember, like everything else in life, compound interest will get you to your new sweet spot.

Yeah I had a large regular contract end in November 2024 and haven't found anything to replace it

like

Enjoy your time away from the full-time job … maybe pen a real inviting new resumé version that is for freelance work, and send to every agency around that you’d like to work with, meet other advertising pros, and build your professional community!

The job market is dead as a doornail, so do your thing. You won't be missing any opportunities because there are none at the moment, and it's not likely to change anytime soon.

Related Posts

Fishbowlers. I got a bad performance review. I need to knock my next one out of the park. Open to any suggestions. S1 in month 6 of starting. I need to get quicker and be able to be a ‘lead senior’. How can I make a manager and directors life easier?

like

Do men in their 30s actually want to settle down and get married? It seems like most are pretty happy with their single lifestyle. Asking as a 26F who is looking for commitment if I should even bother

likehelpful

For those who are actively dating, how’s it going?

like

KTOS - seems like a good play if things escalate in the Middle East

like

Floyd modeling his business-professional wear.

Post Photo
likeupliftingfunny

A reminder to not take life, dating, or yourself too seriously

Post Photo
funnylike

Whats the second source of income for a IT employee ?

like

Hi,
Any plans opening Bangalore office from June?

Would anyone in either in house or a firm in LA or NY be willing to chat with me for informational purposes? I’m currently in big law in corporate and looking to transition to entertainment and would love to learn more about people’s paths to their current positions / day to day in the entertainment industry. I don’t know anyone in the field so would appreciate any insight before I go full steam ahead. Thanks so much!

like

Do we definitely know the highest entry level salary at a consulting firm in London?

like

Currently have Series 24, 7, 63,65

Currently work in a very unique Wealth Management ops role.

Getting paid 85k base with 40k in bonus plus about 35k~ in OT.

Money isn’t everything but in my late 20s it feels like the only thing important right now.

WLB is next to zero as 60hr weeks are the minimum as of late. Management feels like they are trying to push a few of us out. Was told not to expect much come year end for comp. Any suggestions on finding a new role/pay expectations?

like

Fishes Any business analyst data analytics opening in Philips?? Please let me know.8.2 YOE.i want to join product company. Feb 23rd lwd

like

Hei Fishes,

I am looking for Data, Product Analytics and Business Intelligence opportunities. Currently serving notice period and LWD is 10th Apr'22. Please let me know if there is open position at your organization and I'll DM you.

Thanks!

like

Yay!! The bowl now has 100+ fish.

Post Photo
like

Like if voting for Trump, Helpful if voting for Biden. Let’s see.

helpfullikefunny

For anyone that left consulting to work in product management. How is it? How is the work? Wlb - people - culture .. etc

like

Anyone hiring a junior level producer?

153 unique agencies in this bowl. Wonder how many individuals? Feeling pretty genius given that I created it. 🙌. Now, anyone hiring strategists?

like

Any pharma 🐠 know anything about Biolumina? Good, bad?

A NY agency is asking me to work on site come September, I said of course. My true intentions? Working remotely from Florida for life. How would y’all handle this issue when pandemic is over (if it that ever happens)?

like

Additional Posts in Creatives

What’s a gal got to do to get an interview with Droga5? Any CDs in here willing to check out my book?

like

I am on 5 projects right now all due within the next week-3 weeks. I feel like I’m drowning and might quit if I reach a breaking point, what should I do? Only work on the projects worth a shit? Blow off first round check ins to work on stuff that’s due?

like

Some days the ghosting and radio silence comes off as blacklisting and soul crushing. How hard of an ask is it to copy and paste "thank you for your interest, we decided to go with another candidate"

like

I need help/advice/emotional support/literally anything.

I’m an in-house designer. My company decided to offer social media marketing packages to our clients. Today they asked me to take full ownership of that outside social media marketing on top of my current job duties.

I expressed a need for a promotion or raise to compensate for the major increase in responsibility, a responsibility that is not currently in my description.

They pushed back.

Wtf do I do

like

I want to become an art director with zero design skills. I’m going to have someone else comp everything up for me. The ideas might be solid. Who wants to hire me?

like

I have no talent for awards work. What should I do?

What questions should I be asking an in-house recruiter? Seeking Sr/ACD roles.

like

Are there any CDs working on Post Mates, Grub hub or Door dash. I just wrote out a whole campaign for fun. Print, commercials, activations, etc. Would love to pitch it.

like

Who does your taxes? Need a recommend. Thanks.

like

can a writer explain the new season of Dave to me?

like

Anyone know of headhunters in publishing or entertainment, or good ones in our world who are savvy in such things?

Can someone describe the difference between Apple in Culver vs Apple in Cupertino?
(Types of work, culture, pay, teams, etc.)

like

Who are the good international recruiters?

Has any creative here ever tried to make the leap to leave advertising and be a film maker, photographer, illustrator, etc.?? I’m so tired of ad agencies and how draining the “creative” can be. Happiness is more important than a nice paycheck for me. Any inspiration success stories advice would be so helpful right now...

likefunny

Did Peloton really un-ironically put “Man’s Not Hot” in a commercial in the year 2022?

like

Who here is freelancing while working full time?

like

Where do you stay up to date in the best ideas from the industry?

like

Just had a big project killed after over a year of continuously selling it in to various stakeholders. Fully produced. Cheer me up

like

How suspicious is it that the client that just gave the pitch of VW in the US to Johannes Leonardo used to be one of the executives from Johannes Leonardo?

like

Hi Creatives! What tool does your Resources Management team use? Also, what software are you using for creative workflow? Also include if you like it or if you have any favorites. Thanks in advance.

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal