Your job does not define you; neither does losing it.
Millions of Americans have been thrust into unemployment over the last couple of years, with over 700,000 of those being Black women… including me. It has been a rough, rocky road back to earning income again, but I remained positive and faithful that I would again.
Bouncing back from an unexpected departure from work, whether due to a restructuring, downsizing, or business closure, is undoubtedly challenging. This kind of unexpected event can send one’s life into turmoil. You go from one day feeling secure, able to pay your bills, cover emergencies, possibly travel, and enjoy leisure activities that help you recover from stress and strain, to pinching pennies and suffering sleepless nights, and worrying about how long your severance, unemployment, or savings will cover your bills and debt. Where you once may not have paid attention to, or fretted over, the rising cost of essentials such as food, gas, and utilities, once unemployed, you scrutinize every price tag and monthly statement.
And yet, life goes on. The bills will keep coming every month; the kids will still need school supplies, and activity fees will still be due; emergencies like flat tires and doctor’s visits will happen at the most inopportune time. You will still get calls from friends or relatives asking for a loan (as if you don’t need one yourself). You will watch friends globetrot while you can hardly make a trip to a neighboring town without worrying about whether you can refill the gas tank. And you will still be unemployed.
After an unexpected turn in my career, I took a self-imposed sabbatical. When I was ready to return, I stayed positive and stayed the course throughout my search. I knew my time would come.
But you CAN bounce back from this temporary setback, just like I have. You will get to the other side. The side where you’re flourishing again, putting your knowledge, talent, and skills back to use. On Threads, I scroll through posts from “Thriends” who have been unemployed for months, even years. They share how they’re enduring the struggles, and the toll unemployment has taken on their health and well-being. We all face hardship differently, and in times like these, we have to draw on our resilience and lean on and support each other.
It is natural to feel dejected and defeated when you are forcibly removed from a job, especially one that brought you enjoyment or where your contributions made a noticeable impact. I wanted to approach my job search mentally and physically strong, so I knew I needed to make space to process what happened and how I felt. I took a brief sabbatical to reset mentally, relocate, support my family through several challenges, and develop a new strategy for approaching an unprecedented job market.
Today’s job market is super competitive, and the game has changed drastically. Candidates are using the same AI prompts to create resumes and get past ATS filters, making applications nearly identical. In a sea of sameness, HR offices also use AI and automated systems to screen applications before a human ever sees them.
Timelines have stretched unbelievably long — a former colleague recently received a callback for a job they applied for over three months ago. The interview process has also become more convoluted, with some roles requiring more interview rounds than average or the submission of projects, videos, and questionnaires that, for candidates, can feel more like free labor that still doesn’t guarantee them an interview or an offer.
Despite all this, I know several people who have landed jobs, many better than their previous positions. I see users online celebrating securing new jobs, so there is hope.
I am rooting for you. Stay hungry, stay excited, and stay determined to win! journey.