To feel low after losing my job

[PINk11q]

I lost my job last month. It wasn’t just a job - I loved it and it was a part of my identity.

Officially, I was made redundant. But really, I know it happened because my boss took a dislike to m (I’m unsure as to why). I was very good at my job and the data proved that. But I was still made redundant, just me, and I can’t get over the shame of it all.

I have another job, in an unrelated field and starting work has made me miss my old job even more. I just think : why me?

I feel this has derailed my career plans, it will be harder for me to find a job in my chosen field now I’m out of the industry, and I was already limited due to my location.

Sad

It’s ok to be upset OP. Careers can be a large part of our lives, and losing jobs can be very upsetting and a big shock. Sometimes it’s a bit like grieving.

What’s important though is that you don’t see this as a reflection of you. I know it seems personal, but it isn’t. Normally the people who makes restructuring decisions have no idea who you are or how good you are, they only see the organisational charts with the role names and figures from your salary to see how much they’d save.

Especially in today’s unsteady climate, jobs aren’t ‘for life’ anymore - most people will be made redundant at some point. You wallow for a bit, deal with the shock, then you get back on the horse and find another job. It doesn’t define you, it’s just something that happened to you.

Start looking at other jobs in your field and reapplying. There’s no shame in redundancy - if anything it’s a clean answer to the ‘why did you leave your last role’ question. Employers understand redundancy happens and don’t hold it against candidates.

Good luck with your next move

Well done for getting something else, that's not easy. Give yourself time to be sad and feel you were unfairly treated but then move on, in a (relatively) short time you could be enjoying something else - you don't have to stay where you are. Put it behind you and keep moving forwards.

YANBU. It is so hard when we have to leave a job we love under shitty circumstances.I have recently had to leave somewhere I loved and a job that was more than a job to me for very unfair reasons. But don't be ashamed. You know in yourself there were factors at play beyond your control.

You have a new job so not having to explain a big gap on your employment. It will get easier in time. You can't change what happened, you can only do your best to move forward. Trite and clichéd maybe, but true. I hope things feel easier for you soon x

I'm sorry you are feeling low and it's very understandable. I also have a job which is a big part of my identity and I often think that I should shift that if at all possible to non-work things like hobbies and interests.

I am sure it will get easier

So sorry you are feeling this way OP. I’m losing my job soon too. There is no shame about being made redundant at all but especially if it was because of a personal decision. Hold your head Hogg and just know that you did the best of your abilities. Think of your new job (if you dislike it) as a temporary base whilst you plan your career move. Is there a possibility of a commute if nothing in the immediate area?

Hold your head high not Hogg!