Hired after six months of unemployment then fired after 2.5 months. How can I get over the trauma and find the right job moving forward?

[homerunpielover]

Hello All,

I had a great job for the past five years. The company was acquired in October of 2023 but the new company offered me full time employment. Then in June of last year it suddenly ended. I was let go as a result of a restructuring. I liked this job. I was good at it and I felt comfortable for the most part. It was sad to see it end but I got a very generous severance package that helped a great deal. I hadn't been out of work in over six years so I thought I would find something quickly. I didn't. Month after month of job searching and interviewing I struggled emotionally but kept it together overall for my family. Right before my severance money ran out and right at the six month mark I got hired for my next job. I celebrated and shared the news with everyone. One surprise was the amount of travel necessary. There was no mention of this before but four trips were scheduled in a short span. Although I'm not a fan of traveling I was able to take my wife on one of the trips so that was nice. However, there were other surprises that were not so nice. Shortly after starting my new role I developed anxiety about whether I could do this job or not. I thought it was going to be similar to my last job but it wasn't. Things moved so fast. I couldn't keep up. The job was not what I expected. I was open to new job responsibilities and trying new things but there was no patience for a leaning curve. I knew my boss was unhappy with my work. Eventually she stopped acknowledging my presence. This went on for about two weeks. I had a 1:1 call scheduled for a Thursday. I couldn't sleep the two nights prior. I woke up hours before the meeting to go over my wins and priorities like I always did. I also created a plan on how to improve in one of the areas in which I was struggling. When the call started she joined but also brought someone from HR. I immediately thought, oh I'm getting written up or am being put on a performance improvement plan. Soon I realized, I'm getting fired. I thought it was possible but unlikely because I was still new but it happened anyway. I would love to say it was their fault and I'm innocent. Although I accept responsibility I am not unnecessarily down on myself. I view the experience as being a bad fit for both of us. I feel no ill will towards anyone at the company. That being said my body is in a constant state of shock and trauma from the stress of it all. I'm not sleeping. I wake up every morning at about 4:30 am and can't go back to sleep. I'm not eating much. This event is attacking my subconscious self. I'm fighting the good fight with my conscious self. I keep my head up and maintain a positive attitude for my wife and children although I feel the pain in my stomach. From a financial standpoint I comfortably have 2-3 months in checking with another 16 months in emergency savings. I need help in two areas. First, I need to care for my mental health and stabilize before I cause any long term damage and have a heart attack or stroke out. If there are resources to talk to someone about this I'm interested. Second, I need to talk to someone about work. I'm open to a career change. Two job losses in a year is a lot. I can't believe I'm looking for work again this soon. Also, I'm scared to look for work in the same area in fear of repeating this experience. I've made good money in this field but feel I have endured too much stress over the years as confidence in my work has been lacking at times. I need a job but would like to get some counsel, mentoring, or advice on where and what to pursue. Not sure what resources are available for that. So that is my story. One thing I have is the most amazing wife ever who has been so supportive throughout this entire ordeal. However, I can't keep dumping on her. I may need professional help. This is a start. I'm new this platform so I will post and see what responses I receive. Thank you.

[LazyXrayEyes2255]

I was Care Assistant, carer and very easy job to get as they need people. But due to health reasons had to leave. It really shakes my mental health. I am eating junk food and not looking after myself. But I have to push through and start applying again in 6 months time, time to heal predicted. You have to go through the hard things, like applying again and again. I am also using my savings. You worry and you just have to observe your thoughts without letting them stopping you from living. Our thoughts we may not have control over but our response or action must push us forward. Step by step rebuild our will and our strength and cope again. Be fierce or show courage. Once we did it and we can again be success. Visualize and do! Just go for it and no matter how many knock downs just keep trying till you win

Conquer by taking action and applying hundred times till we get there

[homerunpielover in reply to LazyXrayEyes2255]

Thank you for that. Very true.

[catsrock]

Job losses suck! My husband got laid off last October and can't find a new job. We have to move because we can't afford our mortgage where we are. I'm sorry you're going through this too.

[TangledUpIn]

I can totally relate, one year I was laid off twice within 9 months😬 It really did a number on me, especially after being told that my male counterpart was paid more than me because he "had a family". This was a division of AT&T! Hang in there, it eventually gets better🌞

[DerekCyclist]

I can relate as well, I left a job I was comfortable and had been there for four years. Took a opportunity for what I thought was a better opportunity, turned out to be a nightmare. I was lucky to get out of there and find a better opportunity. I am now terrified that I upsold myself into a opportunity that I am not qualified for and will like a fraud. Anxiety is such a horrible thing and wants to control your whole life and it’s so hard to accept you cannot control everything