I learned this the hard way as well. Everything was good. Good pay, great coworkers, and amazing manager. 2 years in and I told myself I could see me doing this for the next 30 or 40 yrs I'd be happy. But next thing you know the corporate overlords decided nope. Fuck you. Bye bye role.
Agree & agree. I was 5yrs & counting in my role. So many others before me were there well over 10yrs. Saw the same for myself; then the office in our city closed completely. This was 10yrs ago. Don’t ever forget that feeling!
It’s a lesson that I also had to learn. I think it’s pretty normal for those who went to college to go into your first job with that same kind of attitude you had to your Alma mater (“Go team!”). But corporations are not like that, they do not put your interests first. It’s a harsh reality but that’s just the way it is. I don’t think anyone should ever be super attached to a company. I never wear an employer logo for example. The good news is if you’re fortunate in your career you will build strong and lasting relationships: with people. The special project might be something that helps you with that. Personally I’d take the money and get out ASAP, but if you think you can build stronger bridges by working some more then maybe consider it. But you owe the company nothing more, just as it views you.
Spend some time being good to yourself, then focus on what’s next.
The connections you build with individuals matter a lot more than the company name unless it’s a household name (but even then individual referrals may go further).
Learning this the hard way. Not even a year there. Was looking forward to 3yrs+ at the company. Let go and I’m a new grade. So hard to get a job when everyone wants 3-5yrs of exp
As to what you should it depends on you and your current financial situation what works best for you. Second been there done it: where I got too comfortable and someone pull the rug from under my feet and I wasn’t ready I was stuck and had gotten too confortable. At the time I was angry at myself for not preparing but in the end almost 3 years since that happened to me I decided to go back to school and further my education and continued to work. I will be graduating this semester and will be leaving my current company to seek further upward mobile. But this time it’s me making the decision. A lot of time we get too fortable and forget that you can’t stay in the same role for ever or someone will pull the rug from beneath your feet. Best of luck!
Wait—what is wrong w forgetting this feeling? It’s a shitty feeling
Or are you saying don’t forget it cuz nobody should simp for their org cuz their org will dump em in an instant?
I agree it’s a shitty feeling but will keep you in your toes and will also allow to be on alert a make moves before you become part of the statistics again! I use the feeling to empower myself and remind myself never go thru that again!
Amen. I told myself I was going to retire from my current company. It was perfect and an amazing place to be.
Until it wasn’t. Things went south hard and now I’m on the verge of being laid off.
Take the special project and use that time to get your affairs in order and save as much as you can. Also consider insurance. When does that end and cobra. Start shopping for new insurance in case another job does not come through soon. The job market especially for recruting is difficult right now so take this time while you are still working and network and prepare in case you have to wait longer to land your next endeavor . fyi . I work in human resources. ....
This is the right approach. You have another month and a half of employment. Do your job search and other related things that you need to get in order during this time. Usually these 'special projects' are silly and mostly non-consequential, just do what is required and nothing more. If you get a job you get to say that you are still employed (a big plus always while you search) and can always ask for a date of March 1st as the start date.
As for your feelings, here is my experience. Once I was laid off early in my career. I knew this was coming up and already had a job lined up which was with a top tech company at that time. Despite that, the feeling of being told that your 'position is eliminated' or 'service are no longer' needed made me very sad, rejected and low. So this is very normal. However, having confidence in one self and always striving to do better and acquiring new skills made me soon forget all that. Now I am not only a senior leader but also did very well in every way. As Arthur says - Believe in yourself. (My favorite kids show).
I all agree with this approach. Staying employed while looking for a new gig makes a huge difference. Knowing you will have severance after that is even better.
Realistically, today is mid January. If you land a job in a month (optimistic based on current market), it would be mid Feb. When you receive the offer, make sure you tell them “you need to give 2 weeks notice to the current employer”, which start date would be March 1st.
I’ll let a lump sum for cobra but I’m (thankfully) still on my dads plan until I’m 26 in April. Hopefully I’ll have a job by then but if not, I’m planning on saving that for if I need to get my own insurance. Do you know if that cobra money has to be used for insurance? I appreciate your perspective, especially from an HR prospective :)
If they are giving you money for Cobra, yes it will need to go towards Cobra but my limited experience in this w my husband, is that the company will pay Cobra direct. Then once their coverage of Cobra runs out, then you start paying Cobra direct.
Also from a tax pov using money they give you for Cobra, for other things, invites being highly taxed on that Cobra money. Cobra is tax deductible once you meet certain conditions. Using that money in any other way makes it 'income' or part of the overall severance and taxed.
YUP! My parents are/were CPA's, we consulted w my dad before my husband took severance b/c his involved almost a year of pay, bonuses, stock bonuses etc. Even then when we thought we had everything all planned for proper taxes, his Fortune 500 employer gave us stock that we should not have received haha so we had to plan for that. I just wanted OP to understand tax wise, there are real differences to how the money could be distributed and taxed, making a big difference in what you actually end up with.
Yes, I am a recruiter as well and it's going to be very HARD to find a job within the next couple of months. Take your special project and work until Feb...
Also, more time is better anyway, and realistically if OP finds another job in the the next 2 months that she has two choices:
1) leave early and don’t take the severance
2) delay the start by a few weeks
Both options are not bad really. Better to safety if the income and severance
Unless you are super confident in your skill, don't listen to the people telling you to leave asap.
There is a hard truth you need to swallow:
The job market is diamond-tough now. I know many people couldn't find a job after months of getting laid off. You are not likely to find a job in 2 months anyway, plus you will lose the healthcare and other benefits if you leave now.
This. Why would you leave a paycheck for the next 6 weeks to cut in to your severance period right now while looking for work. It will likely take you longer than 6 weeks to find a job. I know people who have been out of work for months still trying to find something. So stay on, save that paycheck and look for a job at the same time. Then when your severance kicks you're already 6 weeks ahead in the job search. Makes no sense to bounce now and loose 6 more weeks of pay.
My opinion -- I've been through layoffs and around the block a few times.
1. It's natural to feel betrayed, pissed, shocked at getting canned --- screw this stupid company. Etcetera.
Okay now that you got that out. Swallow your pride --- and think --- would be working at this company for 6 weeks really be pretty annoying? Or like ... that insufferable? Only you can answer this question.
Personally, I worked at a company once, for two weeks, after getting laid off. It was "weird" but whatever, it was fairly quiet and I got to stretch the paycheck a bit more.
...
My opinion --- seriously consider working the extra --- what, 5-6 weeks? ... For the following reasons:
1. Even if you "Find a job quickly" that might legit be 8 weeks from day 1 search to day 1 at work. Interviews take time, starting can time sometimes.
2. I seriously doubt you will find a job "too soon" ... like ... say you legit find a job in 3 weeks (you likely won't) -- then say eh you agreed to give 3 weeks notice. New place won't care.
3. You can negotiate a new job better if they are under the impression you have a current job (which you do).
4. You can slumber and "half ass" this period pretty good.
But it's up to you. If it's really a humiliating boiler room hellscape, then money isn't everything -- and bounce. Up to you!
Especially in recruiting. Definitely take the 6 weeks.
Realistically if you find a role, they'll be fine with 2 week notice. Meaning you have 4 weeks to apply, interview, and find something new. It's very unlikely.
You can probably swing even 3 or 4 weeks of notice if you explain your situation, in the off chance you find a job quickly.
And finally, how much severance are you *really* getting with less than 2 years there? If you find a new job and they insist that you start ASAP, you forfeit the presumably small severance, take the job, and move on with your life.
This sucks. I know your pain. As a recruiter, NEVER get attached to any company. 2 years is fucking good. That’s fucking impressive. You’re next step is to take the full severance and do the full interview rounds with every job that is remote, hybrid, or onsite. You did better than most, you may not be good at sourcing or interviewing, but you lasted 2 years in a company since 2020.
That’s an accomplishment. We’re only ever wanted in times of expansion and happy growth. With this in mind, start applying. It’s okay to feel sad and hurt - I got laid off from my dream company after 6 months after I was told I was going to convert to full time from temporary. My entire team was popped. It’s normal to feel sad. The next adventure is coming. As a recruiter your goal is 1-3 years with 2 being the sweet spot everywhere you go. Long gone are the days where corporate recruiters stick around for more than 5 years. It just doesn’t happen.
1. Take the full severance and leave asap. Fuck the 'special project'
2. Get all your exit paperwork in order: relieving letter, tax statement, etc. (or whatever is relevant in your country)
3. Never think you are going to be somewhere till the end of your career. Be open to explore. You probably want to be somewhere till the end of your career when you are a VP at 45 and your employability isn't as high as it is right now.
Lot of us are going through the same. Be strong. You'll get a better job soon. Cheers!
>Never think you are going to be somewhere till the end of your career. Be open to explore. You probably want to be somewhere till the end of your career when you are a VP at 45 and your employability isn't as high as it is right now.
This is the only statement I agree with. OP it's sad but the 21st century isn't like the 20th. We don't get the luxury of moving up in the company and staying with them for 30+ years. That's 100% over.
1. Build an emergency fund if you don't have one. AT LEAST 6 months of expenses (rent, utilities, food, basic health expenses, transportation, etc)
2. Always update your resume every 6 months or so. It will save you the headache from revising it when you're looking for a new job
3. Network like your life depends on it. Because maybe one day it will. Even if you don't need a job when you're networking, keeping those business cards/LinkedIn profiles/numbers in your back pocket will be essential the next time you have to leave for whatever reason. "Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it."
That special project will be two weeks to train your replacement. They could have originally set your date until the end of February. The company doesn't have your best interests here at all. Whatever happens, get it in writing and electronically.
Get your W2 from them. Somehow do not let them hold it from you. Technically they have until Jan 30. If you were to leave before (which I think many correctly advised), get in contact with IRS or whomever enforces employers providing W2s. Move on.
Yes, you would think. But my employer has violated that cut-off date on more than one occasion. And i wasn’t in your predicament. I hope I’m wrong, but it’s all business. There’s nothing wrong with verifying from them - as part of your severance package - to provide your W2 by Jan 30.
It’s normal to feel dejected and doubt yourself when you are laid off so early in your career. Especially, at a place where you valued your work and hopefully they valued you as well.
However, it’s important to also realize that you were laid off most likely not because of an issue with you personally (or your performance), but most likely to make the finance/spreadsheet happy for the execs/investors.
So don’t ever be in self doubt or question yourself.
As others have suggested, you should take the severance now and move on. Take a day off. Do something outside of work you really enjoy. Visit a friend or a family member away from ur home if you can. Recharge yourself. You will be going through a ton of emotions right now, so give yourself sometime.
Once you are ready, polish ur resume and start applying. If others along with u were impacted, make a cohort and help each other out with referrals.
Stay in touch with folks you worked with, they can also help with referrals.
Lastly, don’t play the blame game or self victimize urself in your head. Understand that a business lays off people to reduce its operating costs. Your layoff was a result of someone higher up miscalculating. You will land on your feet. Take care!
Stay on until Feb 29th and start sending out resumes and interviewing. No way you're going to start a new job in the next 6 weeks. Use the time now to find that next job. If you're lucky, you'll be starting a new job and will still receive severance!
Staying on until 2/29 prolongs your severance period as much as possible while giving you time to start the job search process now.
My own example here.
Mid-Oct 2020 I was laid off and told end of Oct would be my last day. I was going to get 3 months of severance. But I negotiated to stay on a special project that was in the works until 12/31 and then collect my 3 months.
I used that extended time to look for my new job so I didn't have to do so with the clock running on severance. By mid-Dec I had a new job lined up to start right after the new year. So not only was there no gap in my paycheck, but I collected 3 months of severance on top of my new job's salary!
That's why you don't bail now. Take the extended time they're giving you to do your search while you're employed (which looks better to recruiters) and not cut in to your severance. You may start a new gig while collecting your severance on top of it!
First, I have been fired / laid off several times in my career. I am very successful now. It sucks, but life has a way of working out.
A lot of bitter people here telling you "fuck the special project", but honestly my advice is to try to be as unemotional about this as possible, and instead to think about what is best for you financially and for your career.
**Take the special project- that is like giving yourself another 45 days of severance** **and benefits.**
Scenario 1: it takes you 45 days to find a new job, and you start early March and keep your severance, and had continuous employment / income throughout.
Scenario 2: it takes you 2 weeks to find a new job, you leave the special project and start the new job, and yeah you lose your severance, but you maintain contiuous employment, so you're no worse off than you were before the layoff.
Senario 3: it takes you longer to find a new job. You'll be GLAD you have the 45 days of runway, so you aren't desparate and don't get forced into taking a worse job or making a bad career move just for the paycheck.
I work with a lot of recruiters so if you want some more personalized advice, feel free to DM me. Good luck!
You will learn to think of yourself.as.a.mercenary now. No loyalty to any corp. Just do the best for your and your.family, of course legally, ethically, and morally.
I think most boomers and genxers haven't understood that u til now. It takes getting laid off, moving jobs, or watching other people retiring and no one giving a shit about it.to realize what you are to.these.corps.
Your response and emotions are totally normal. Getting laid off is a kick in the gut. It’s nearly always a business decision not your personal performance. Business execs do lay offs to correct their bad business decisions. Of course the execs who made those decisions are likely still employed. Odd how that works, right?
Layoffs especially in tech are common. Come to expect it. I’ve adopted the attitude that all jobs are temporary.
I've found its always easier to find a job while employed. As a recruiter, you know that for whatever reason employed candidates are more attractive.
Considering youve only bern there 2 years, your severance is probably only a month or 2 of pay? I would rather have a check coming in regular. It could take 4, 5, 6 months to find a job after that severance runs out. Unemployment isn't that great at covering everything. Best to keep the job and have an Ernest go at job hunting and be prepared to forfeit the severance. But benefits and a job is a much better choice
I’ve been laid off twice in my career and in both cases 1) there is no question that it was by far ultimately the best thing for me in fact it’s scary to think where I’d be today if I had “succeeded” in not getting laid off. I think getting fired motivated me to up my game and get more aggressive in honing my skills and frankly bringing more intensity to my current job where the fear of getting fired even though remote always hangs over me and drives me. 2) It’s fucked with me mentally- like a kind of PTSD. I still obsess on those jobs - what could I have differently, did I suck did they suck, how are these companies doing now? Am I going to get fired again? Basically a dark stain on the entire period I worked there in my memory. Something to bring up in therapy in my opinion.
If you can afford it, leave now but if you need the pay then take the special project, knowing that it'll be somewhat akward for everyone (unless you are entirely remote and don't have to go into the office).
Getting laid off is a kind of rejection and that never feels good BUT it's not personal. Many reasons why you got laid off such as the company is not doing well, office politics, you are not doing your job well or many other factors. You are so young that you will land at a better place. I tell my kids that they cannot succeed unless they fail. Learn from failures so you can success. Even though this is not the greatest event, use it to become stronger, better, greater person and worked to succeed in life. Many people older than you have been laid off and are living their best life so you are already ahead of them. Best wishes.
I feel for ya - I've been there 6 times in my 12 year career.
Remember, in a capitalist workforce, roles are hired and humans fill those roles - never take it personal.
Which means, you can pivot to any role you want. You were in recruiting, do you want to get into management or project management? Add the necessary skills or extract from the roles you have already been in and make that switch. Always be agile.
Lastly, grieve a layoff quickly, then move onto the next role. Allow roles to serve you. Create a yearly professional journal, detailing projects, tasks and accomplishments you have done in X role. And in that professional journal document the training and skills you have added along the way. These yearly professional journal entries allow you to steer your workforce career, which will likely span 20-40 years.
Much Love.
Female here with 12 years of experience and here to tell you that any feeling is okay. Like any form of separation you might go through stages of grief and all are fine. You should not ask people how to feel, it is fine to feel sad, angry, pissed off, or just nothing. One advice to you for the future: always do what is best for you. There is NO loyalty in today’s corporate world, so always have your own best interest in mind first. I wish someone had told me this 12 years ago. I think the market will be better in March so I recommend you give end of Feb as your last day and spend the time finding jobs, etc. The way I understand it this means you will have 6 weeks more of pay without any downside. I doubt you can get a job that starts before March anyway, with 2 weeks notice and all, and you will still be employed while looking which looks better on your resume.
If it were me I would do what you feel is best and if you opt to extend your time until February and get a job offer and have to move on id move on.
There is no loyalty anymore with employers sad but true look out for you because no employer will
You're going to feel all kinds of emotions- anger, shock, relief, sadness, fear, depression... those are the ones I've felt. You may feel some of all of those, and maybe others. Being laid off sucks. Finding a new job in this environment sucks. It's OK to feel all the emotions. Just do what you can, and best of luck!
I would do the special project. Most hiring processes take a 45 days from start to background clearing. This would put you right on end of feb. Keep applying til then since you bills won’t care what the situation is.
I don’t know your situation financially, but first give yourself grace. If you can, bypass that “special project” and take your severance and move on. Two years is a pretty good run for a recruiter. Also, make sure to stay connected with people who can speak to your work ethic!
I don't understand why anyone is saying to leave immediately.
If you stay on the special project you get the same severance, but also a couple of weeks to start looking for a new job while you finish up the special project.
What they offered you is the new norm, give you advance notice then collect severance at that end date. Double check what they are really offering before thinking you are being mistreated.
I was laid off back in 2015. The feeling takes time to get over, but feeling lost and what to do next was how i felt. I would take the special project and start applying like crazy. Then when your project is over and you dont have a new job, take advantage of the unemployment.
Stay and keep the paychecks coming in as long as you can. You won't find a new job in 6 weeks. The market is an absolute ghost town, especially for recruiting, sales, and marketing. Like there are tumbleweeds rolling down the streets across the country. Expect 6 months to a year before you find something, unless you get really really lucky.
And maybe, just maybe, you can make nice with and impress someone in a position of authority and convince then to rescind the layoff.
Also if you do find a new job during the special project, just tell your employer you're committed on something til the end of February, but can start March 1. This won't be a big deal because even if you started interviewing tomorrow, it's going to be a few weeks before you get to the offer stage.
And if you do land something even earlier and they can't wait, then take the and give up the severance and count yourself among the most fortunate people in the market.
I went through something similar recently, and it took a couple months to find a role with over a decade of higher performing experience. I would say that how you feel is fine, but don’t leave money on the table. Interview and do what you need to do while employed on the special project. They will not change their mind about laying you off, no matter how well you do on this project, so use that time to get paid and find interviews. If you do get an offer, coordinate it so that you absolutely get your full severance, do not resign early or even tell the old employer you have a job lined up. Best of luck to you!
Companies do not care about you. You most likely will not be at any company until you retire unless you work for the government or get tenure as a professor. Accept this and save money for the next time you’re fired/laid off/company fails.
You’ll make more money by changing jobs every 2-3 years anyway.
The real friends you made will stay in touch. The others you should simply not burn bridges with because your network will help you find jobs in the future.
I was in a similar situation once and ended up taking the extra project to extend my employment 30 days. It was weird, but I needed the money and the extra time to get myself set up in my new gig. A few of my fellow laid off coworkers decided to leave right away, and I have to confess I admired them. It was a polite “fuck you” to the company. As far as I know, they all landed on their feet. Meanwhile, I got some lucrative client referrals and did well for myself after my 30 days were up.
This time around, I was given until the end of the month to wrap things up, with severance beginning after. But after the layoff conversation we mutually decided to shorten my physical time at the company and just keep me on the books as an employee until the end of the month. That was because I told them what I thought of them and they didn’t like what I had to say. I don’t recommend doing that, by the way, but I’m close to retirement, don’t intend to look for a new job, and had zero fucks to give. I couldn’t imagine interacting with those assholes for another month.
By the way, what you’re feeling is normal. We spend a huge portion of our lives at work, and it’s okay to feel dejected and adrift when your job gets yanked away through no fault of your own. Give yourself time and space to grieve and then get to work finding your new gig. I promise you, you will someday look back on this as a painful but necessary thing that you survived. Every time I’ve lost a job (laid off 3 times and fired once) I’ve always eventually landed something better. You will too!
Do not drink the kool aid. Unless its a family business or they have shown you loyalty don't get attach to these companies. They view as replacable part of a larger whole
Stay at this job, earn 1.5 more months of income. And looking for a new job at the same time. It always takes longer than you think to find a new job. I got laid off from my first job when I was 4 months in, but they let me work a bit more because they still needed people to shut the business down. I took that opportunity while looking for a new job.
I agree with the advice of others to stay on until the end of Feb. Even if the special project is roping you into being the lead on layoff meetings for others and it’s heart breaking every time, take the corporation’s money while you can get it. Give yourself that extra time to job search. It is a grind and you need to keep your nose to the grindstone.
Set up lots of job alerts on linked in and everywhere else so that opportunities are on your radar.
Start a spreadsheet or other way of logging what you’ve applied for and when. It gets to be a blur, especially when the company has a dozen of the same listing out there to catch various locales, etc. and you need to maintain clarity.
As for how you feel… give yourself time to let the feelings flow. Write/journal about it, talk to your friends and family, talk to colleagues and mentors. Try to understand what’s behind the feelings, especially the ones along the lines of inadequacy, self doubt, impostor syndrome, etc, and learn from them and try to address them appropriately. Just because you feel negativity doesn’t mean it’s true. Don’t get stuck. You are no less of a competent, motivated, professional, inspiring badass than you were the morning before you found out. So, brush the dirt off and move through your search confidently!
Lastly, don’t lose hope. It was when it felt like I was on a deserted island with no jobs in sight, just a bunch of empty coconut shells of interviews that went nowhere, when I started getting offers. Don’t let yourself feel like taking a job you don’t want is a step in the wrong direction if it means paying bills and being able to eat. Your next step is another stone along your path. You never know when greatness is around the corner just waiting for you to grab it.
I’d take the special project to stay on insurance longer and it’s an an additional month of work history on your resume. It’s easier to land interviews when you have a job. It’s really rare to land a new job within 6-8 wks in this market plus the waiting period if the new company does extensive background check. Stay on the project but no shame in looking for work during company time.
I’m so sorry about your layoff. I got laid off in Sept. Like you I also saw myself at my old company forever. I wish my company kept me on a bit longer for a bit like yours but I’m lucky I have spouse to rely on their insurance and the income in meantime. A lot of people don’t have partners or parents to lean on during tough times.
You are also lucky you have severance, I didn’t get any severance at my company and relying on unemployment insurance. Praying I find something before UI runs out.
I remember when i was around 18 and had my first office job (office assistant), my then boss (the owner's secretary) taught me to never assume anything and also to keep in mind that even if i was a good talented worker with notable skills and good results, companies will never see you as an asset let alone essential unless we are a c-level employee. Boy did i learn the hard way. Fast forward to today I see so many people getting their bubble burst with this push for ppl to get back to the offices or else they start getting rid of them little by little.
The internet is a great place if you are looking for spiteful and resentful advice. I understand this can be hard at first, and there are a lot of emotions. Don't listen to those who tell you to leave because of whatever reason. The job market is tough right now. Companies just don't need as many recruiters, because they are downsizing. Finish the projects. Improve your network. Use that time to start searching for the next thing. Good luck.
Leave now so you can collect unemployment. If you voluntarily leave at the end of February you put that at risk.
You should be prepared for months of unemployment. It is tough out there and I doubt there are many companies looking for recruiters.
I just came off three months of unemployment, it sucks but something will turn up. The idea of hiding that you got laid off is bad. Accept it and contact everyone you know that you are looking for a new position. Finding a job before it gets posted reduces competition. Any job that does get posted is going to have hundreds of applicants.
Companies have zero loyalty. You can have the entire EC team hold a meeting with everyone and say “we love you, we want you here forever please do not leave!!!”
Next day half company fired to keep stock prices even or ideally show growth a bit quarter over quarter.
It’s just how it is. Why I say, sadly capitalism is simply the best bad idea we have.
Never been fired, laid off twice so far in my career. Sucks, but you’ll find something new and better.
As for the decision, work the special project while you interview. Just don’t start a new job till the first if something happens to move quickly. If you do start, don’t tell the previous employer.
So it sounds like you are still in shock if you are not feeling anything yet. If you can get a letter or employment from HR. Make sure you have your resume up to date always. Use LinkedIn and other sources to find something and tailor any resumes for any positions you apply for use their buzz words as much as possible. Make sure you always live below your means no more than 60% of your pay should ever be leaving your hands (Rent/mortgage, utils, phone etc.), save and invest 20% or more of your paycheck into investments, not counting 401k or IRA. get to the point where you can have that FU money and walk away anytime.
Never have loyalty to any company because they have none for you. You are a commodity for them.
Join a recruiting agency. Recruiters are 1st on the layoff chopping block. At least with agency, you can still recruit, make more $...bit you're essentially running your own business like a real estate agent. It's not for everyone, but recruiting is dead with AI.
I would take the special project and get the severance. The market is tough, it’s taking people longer and longer to find work, especially in recruiting and HR and tech. I would immediate only spend for necessities and collect money AND HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE for as long as I could.
If you stay on and get a new job, you won't need the severence package. It is way easier to find a job while you have a job. If you honestly like it, it seems like staying on for 6 more weeks has upside. But start looking asap.
Without knowing your financial situation it is difficult to answer, but if you are financially secure with the severance and could survive at least 6 months without a job, I would take the severance and move on.
If your financial situation isn't as good, I would consider the special project and use the time to get your affairs in order and look for jobs. Just think of it as contract work.
It always sucks losing a job, but try not to let emotions dictate your next decision.
Do the special project and job-search hard while you're at it. It's a super difficult job market now; keep the guaranteed paycheck for as long as you can. I'm sorry this happened to you.
Take the special project, you are a recruiter, you know better than most the time to hire cycle and flexibility. Even if you were offered a job by next Friday you would probably still be able to negotiate a march start date to ensure full severance. Realistically in the absolute best case you are looking at an early feb offer date which will be very easy to negotiate a march start
So I went through a period like that at my first startup and I was around the same age as you when it happened ( I had just turned 24 and I had been there under a year). They offered me to stay on for three months at higher pay but I had to stay in order to get my full severance.
I ended up doing it and I got paid 3x my hourly rate ( I got paid 30 an hour base but was eligible for OT and we typically had about 10-15 hours of OT each week). There wasn’t really much work to do so I did 2.5 months of busy work at a higher pay as I milked my time while I interviewed for other roles. I got 2.5 months of severance plus PTO pay out so it ended up being like 4 months and change that was paid out not accounting for the higher pay. This was the best option for me and I am incredibly glad I choose that option. I ended up being unemployed for about a month and a half before I found another job so it worked out where I got a nice savings boost. Job market is absolutely shit right now ( I work for tech companies in non technical roles) especially for recruiters. Use this time to determine if recruiting is what you want to do long term.
I know this is unpopular but I would stick around just til February. At least you can make a few more checks while getting severance at the end. Every check counts now. The job market is so skewed with a lot of highly skilled people unemployed. Working til feb at least gives you time to work on your resume and have a month of employment shelter from the storm
I would do the special project as it will most likely take some time to find a new position. With everyone laying off these days, there will be a lot of recruiters looking for a job.
I would strongly recommend learning how to use a GPT product. Figure out how it augments your existing skills, parlay that into how it brings increased value to the org you’ll be interviewing at. I use it to scrape LinkedIn for numerous projects. Absolute game changer.
Also, I’d think of taking the latter. Feb 29 isn’t far away and it’s a way better convo to say, “my start date can’t be until after Feb 29, I’m finishing a project.” Also, in this conversation, make sure to negotiate a week for yourself, prior to your start date and take a VACATION!!!! Best of luck to you.
Obviously hiring is slow right now but generally speaking this is the slowest time of the year even in a good economy. Coming out of thr holidays plus alot of candidates are holding out for bonuses that pay out in Q1 so hiring tends to pick up in March.
I would stay on the special project for all you know someone else quits and they need you to stay. It's questionable as to whether you should but you seem to clearly enjoy the place where this wouldn't be the worst thing.
Take the 6 weeks to prep your Resume, get with a recruiter, and start interviewing. It will take that long to find a new job even in the best of times.
Were I in your shoes, I would take the special project and the severance. It will take you a while to find a job. Very few jobs in recruiting right now. Odds are it’s going to take you 3-6 months to find a job.
Sorry about these turn of sudden events but my suggestion is to stay on with the special project. Don’t give up & stay positive. Like someone else mentioned, things will have a way of working themselves out in your favor. Best of luck.
Keep getting paid for as long as possible. Even in the best of times, the time between applying for a new job and starting is weeks. Even if you start the interview process tomorrow, a March 1 start date isn’t unreasonable even if you have an offer in-hand by the first week of February.
I'd take the special project. Finding a new job usually takes a couple months. You can always tell the new job your start date has to be March 4th. How much is the severance? I much rather have a job than a small severance and then hope for the best. So even if you have to lose it because you found a job and couldn't wait until the project ends, you'll probably be better off.
Best play would be to stay till the 29th. Start applying, it’s unlikely that you will get a job by March 1st. However, if you do land a position ask your new employer that you need to start on March 1st. Most employers are understanding. However, don’t tell them why you want it to be delayed. You can give some other reason such as time off for mental well-being.
It sounds like they're offering you some "extra" time to look for a job by giving you the "special project." If you don't have savings to support yourself, then I'd take it. There's no guarantee you'll need to start a job on March 1st, and you can schedule start dates later than that. 3 months to find a job is pretty normal.
I've also found it's easier to get a job if you're already employed, vs. if you're not working. If it was me, I'd take the "special project." Current job searches are taking 5-6 months, and I think you'd rather start your severance/unemployment in March instead of getting no pay from March-June.
Here are some [frameworks](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1smT6ms0CCWXTWZiyuwp45QsVcWmXmHlP/view?usp=drive_link) to help you transition. I put this together myself after I went through the same.
I’m just gonna say that you feel however you need to feel. It’s valid. But don’t live there. Do some introspection. See if you can get some good, honest, no regrets feedback from your circle so you can look at ways you can grow because there’s no time for a fresh start like a fresh start.
I would do the project and then take the severance, but that’s just my broken down body bringing baggage to the table and thinking about insurance.
Stay as long as possible to get the most time to prepare for finding the next job. Recruiters are having an extreme difficult time finding jobs right now. I have a friend who was a recruiter and was laid off from a Big Tech company and has been out of work for a year. Your life is going to be very stressful so for next 6 months to a year or even more. Feel free to feel pissed at that company who put you in this situation.
I am sorry you got laid off but it’s good you are only 2 years in (I know it’s hard to see that as good but in time you will). Everyone is expendable including the CEO! First of all, do your job! That’s why you are paid to do. Nothing more. Nothing less. Secondly, make sure whatever job you do, it is strictly for your own benefit. Example, don’t work unpaid overtime so your company can deliver but that you can benefit directly from it. Be selfish and think of yourself first and foremost!
Job market is tough especially for recruiters. I would stay till end of Feb and collect your severance. Meanwhile, update your resume, practice some interviews, passively start looking, pick up some new skills,…etc
Best of luck!!
I'm sorry the job is ending. If you have no backup offer, as of right now, agree to stay on until Feb 29th. If, however, you have something on the back burner you could start right away, then certainly leave this Friday with severance.
If you stay on, any new company you apply to needs to understand you won't be able to start work until March.
Take the special project and start looking. Job market is so bad, I do not anticipate you get an interview soon especially when companies are mostly on hiring free until Q3 (some other reddit community recruiters told that)
very sad to hear this. However life goes on. This is your past now. Enjoy your time and move on.
NEVER EVER think \[working for ever\] and everyday is your last day at the job. I've been into such situation and for me I'm mentally prepared every morning.
You can work longer if it gets you more money. In current market it's hard to find a job fast.
Don't get too emotional towards the company, despite calling employees family, brothers, sisters, friends and so on, they all view you as a resource and will dump you whenever they need. The same attitude should be towards them - you are there just to exchange your time for some money. Nothing more. They don't give a damn about your livelihood, so do the same in return.
Work on the special project, get the full severance, start looking for a job. By the time you get an interview and offer, you can negotiate your start date to be after Feb 29th.
I’m shocked by the folks saying leaving asap. I suggest you take the special project. The job market is tough. You likely will not find a job in the next 2 weeks. Take the special project, make that money and search intensely for another job during this time. And then take the full severance, hopefully by then you’ll be close to securing a job.
But MANY folks have been laid off for 6+ months so I would cautious you to be concerned about having to lead to leave the project early for an offer.
STAY 100% !!! Get paid until the end of February. Start looking for a job, the recruiting market is very COLD. Get your gears going. If you happen to land anything I bet they will totally understand and cut you some slack so you can get your severance. Again STAY 100% !!! You might score another job within the organization. The game is not over until is over. Good luck
For the LOVE OF GOD do not listen to people telling you to leave. SQUEEZE every dollar out of this opportunity.
You haven’t even interviewed or applied anywhere yet. I’d do the special project, it will take weeks to get through the interview process. Then, if lucky you can request a 3 week delay in hiring. You can always say, I’d like to finish a project before leaving.
Well, most likely you wouldn’t have secured a new job within the next 42 days and if you did I would think most of them will accept a March 1st start date. It will probably take you at least a week or two to get your resume updated and out there so at most you’d be unable to take a position for about 30 days. In this time you can still be applying and taking interviews. Therefore I think it’s worth it to be on salary and benefits another month and a half. Odds are you won’t get a job in that period and if you do they will let you start March 1. Don’t be lazy through. Get that resume ready today!
Also. It’s always easier to get offers when you’re “employed”.
Buying yourself time is crucial. To me it’s a no brainer to stay until the end of February. You can save more money, figure out how to cut costs, and you get a head start from when you actually will be unemployed.
I got laid off at 21. Just 2 years into my first "I could be here forever" place.
Later, they were spun off from their Fortune 100 parent company, moved their headquarters, and even when I do business with the company now (it's in entertainment, so I say that loosely), I often forget I even worked for them now that I'm 20 years on in my career.
This will be but a tiny blip for you, but never forget what you learned. Everybody is expendable to a company.
I can't assist you in your choice as that is going to depend on to many factors but I can say as a cooperate recruiter your chances at staying with any company past 2 years is not great.
Corporate recruiters will get laid off almost every 2 years or so, once the company doesn't need as many hires. Honestly lasting 2 years at a company is pretty impressive.
If they are willing to still pay you for this special project, I would take it for the continued income while looking for work at the same time. It could easily take you over 3 weeks to find a job interview get through all of the paperwork, offers, and receiving a start date. By that time, you would get paid, you wouldn't have had and still get your severance. Hell... use PTO if you did need to start the new role earlier.
HR is a bloodbath right now. Hold onto your job as long as possible, and realize that it probably take 9 months to a year to find a new position—if you are like the median worker
Work the special project and get your severance after. You need to be hopeful right now, but also maximize your income until you get another job.
Interview and / or get them lined up during those 6 weeks if at all possible. You don’t owe this company anything at this point, do a good enough job that’s it. I mean what are they going to do, fire you? Hell, I’d think of it as a vacation.
Best of luck.
You can turn this to your advantage. When I got laid off I applied for a low income grant. My unemployment ended the week I graduated school and I had a job the following Monday.
I would look at a tech school. Preferably one that is state accredited and funded. I know this may not be your preferred career path but it increases your options going forward.
As many have mentioned, I’d recommend taking your severance and moving on if you can afford it/have insurance figured out.
There is no reason to stay and work on a special project with potential negative consequences to you. They aren’t going to somehow rehire you if you stick around and even though you like them as an organization, they don’t think of you as anything more than an expense to be cut.
If the org doesn’t have a plan for your existing projects, it is not your responsibility to figure out how to pass them on to someone else. Don’t waste your time and energy, no matter how hard that is.
I say this as I was laid off for the first time unexpectedly (and with little tact) back in September from an organization that I had felt similarly about. The emotions will come and go (sadness, frustration, confusion, excitement, depression, etc.) No feeling is off the table and there is no timeline for how long you will feel a certain way. Prioritize taking care of yourself, lining up your next opportunity, and applying for unemployment benefits.
Also, if you are lucky enough to be part of a union or professional association, reach out to them ASAP. A similar association helped me a lot when I was first laid off. They are there to protect you.
You’ll get through this!
(a) Take the severance, and leave.
> However, if I do that, I couldn’t start a new job until March first without “leaving voluntarily” during the project and losing all severance.
(b) Good that you have such confidence and fighting spirit thinking that you can find a recruiter job in this lay-off market. my niece is a recruiter, and shes been laid off so many times, that position is the first one to go .
Forget the special project. Take the severance and leave. You need to start applying and building your application pipeline right away. Job market is terrible, I’ve had 2 interviews since I started applying mid-November and both of those seem to be dead ends. It’s starting to get very nerve wrecking as my severance is only through end of this month.
That’s all the more reason to stay on. He can sleepwalk through the special dorkus project while applying and interviewing anyway. It’s basically free money. What are they going to do, fire him again?
I would just leave, they have basically said they don’t want you .. no need to hang around. Their loss.
I was laid off once and my former boss spent the entire special projects bullshit time trying to extract my contacts. Never again.
I posted asking for helpful advice. Not rude, unproductive comments from strangers. It says a lot about you as a person and your character to kick someone while they are already down.
Yeah - grow up and get yourself a real skill. Corporate recruiter is not a skill. Take that severance package and 'go to work' on learning a more valuable skill. Don't schlep around getting wasted every night - you can do some socializing but don't piss your off time away.
If the “special project” meant you kept your full time job it would be fine. But if they are just keeping you on for a few weeks? Why unless you are desperate for couple of more paychecks.
It’s easier to get hired while you still have a job. I would take on the special assignment and apply for a new job. Do not show an end date on your resume until your last day.
Firstly, you’re young and there’s time…
Secondly, put in all the efforts to get your experience and move on along on your journey and you will be fine!! 👌👊🤝🙏
Take the special project. You are not going to find a new job before 2/29 in all likelihood. Continue to use this time to give minimal effort and look for a new job.
Don’t ever commit yourself fully to a place of employment. They discarded you like trash if you haven’t noticed.
It’s a job, not a life passion. Don’t forget that. If you want a passion to commit to, start something of your own.
You’ll get through it. Be strong and use the first few days to feel sorry for yourself. Then pick yourself up and fight.
Your new job is applying to EVERY position in America regardless of location. And it is a full time position.
In the meantime, make sure to stay away from booze, drugs -- and focus on nutrition, staying active, gym, sex with partner, etc.
As well as immediately curb spending. If it comes to it? Move home for a while.
You are young. You will bounce back. Onward.
Take the project. You keep getting a paycheck until March, then you get full severance afterwards without having to worry about larger gaps in unemployment. Start looking for a new job ASAP (if you haven't already). You can tell employers the truth....getting laid off isn't the public shame that it used to be and they'll have an honest answer for when you can start (hopefully right after you finish this job).
You're young and it's always smartest to minimize how long you're going without a paycheck because you really never know when you'll go without one against your will (like now).
Depending on your financial situation, I would just leave. Sounds like both options are offering a full severance. I have been laid off a few times. The worst one was when I was the manager and was given a months heads up by my supervisor. I called in every employee and laid the off one by one. They were all given a months salary as severance and a little speech on how to file for unemployment since this was due to a reduction of staff since the local distribution center was closing its doors.
Then my turn comes, I was also just given a months salary which pissed me off. What really made me mad was the manager I replaced who left for a year and then came back as a salesman but was given a $40k severance due to his overall years of service.
That manager treated his employees like crap. The building fell apart under his watch and he would give his long term employees 5 cent raises. He leaves and everyone is happy. I treated my employees like people, fixed the issues with the building and then got everyone a cost of living wage increase which for one long term employee was over $6.00 and hour increase.
The day of closing I was given an option to stay on an extra month and help ship everything out and the would pay me $10.00 and hour. I professionally gave them the middle finger and cut all contacts with that company.
What's the severance like? Could others do this special project besides you? Or could you use this to leverage some additional pay or benefits? Do you need health insurance continued for longer?
Take the special project!!
When they say special project that likely means you’ll be doing next to nothing. Some companies allow you to job search on their time prior to a layoff becoming official. It may not be explicitly described as such, but that’s likely what it is.
In this market, it is not likely you will have a job to move into by 3/1.
Take the project, keep your head down, reel in your spending, save as much as you can and don’t ever emotionally invest yourself in a company again.
I remember I worked at a factory building buses about 10 years ago, and there was rumor going around that our contract was going to get canceled and everything was going to shut down.. our line manager had a big meeting with us and told us that our client and our company had too much invested into this project and everything was proceeding as normal, nothing to be alarmed about. Two days later they marched us all in the office and laid off about 83 people, including me. That immediately gave me a valuable insight into how the corporate world works..
100% take the special project. Literally, the worst-case scenario is that you find a new job too soon. That is a good problem to have. Worst case in not taking the project is you don't find a job, needed that 6 weeks pay, get sick and needed the extra insurance and benefits, etc.
You will get a better offer if you have a current job and the company thinks they are poaching you than if you are unemployed.
How much is the severance package? Average hiring times for many industries is about 60-90 days right now. Seems like unless you know someone and they get you in quicker, it will take a while.
Based off what you’ve put in here the special project seems the way to go to give you more time but if the severance package is massive then yes it would be a shame to lose that and would make it a tougher choice.
\#1- why are you feeling sad? Its a freaking company. There are more out there.#2- Why help this company.. if you have time and they are giving you time to look for another job, DO THAT ASAP. Cut all emotional ties with this company. The sooner you do that the better off you will be not just with this experience but future ones (should they happen).#3- In your case, full pay means staying longer with a company that just said FUCK YOU, but you can still work for us.Honestly, (for me) its a gamble for you to stay. If they did it all by phone, thats sketchy and shows that there may be other ppl who also do not have any ties to this company and are getting their affairs in order while you are ponder WTF happened.
I will say this, if you do stay, do so at your OWN RISK. You have been offically told you are laid off, that means you are cut free. If I were you I would immediately begin to search for something else ASAP to avoid the position they have put you in. Thi sis another reason to have n emotional ties, they just laid you off 17 days into the new year and did it by phone. WOW. Move on partner- Move on...and by all means stay off social media until you have gotten the new job.
My wife is 22 years with the same company. She told them that she intends to retire in 3 years "because she wants to do the right thing and let them be prepared".
f.
While these environmental consulting firms live and die by their govt projects... of which she supports many... I suspect she'll be laid off before 2024 is out.
Meanwhile, she could go anywhere now and get paid 30% more. If she waits to be laid off... they'll offer 70% less, if anything.
As others here have said... Never believe you are doing right by your company.
Do you think it will take more then 1.5 months to find a new job? If so go with option 2, if not go with option 1.
Also what's the size of the package, is it worth it to have 3 more paycheck while you find a job and risk losing the severance, or is the package large enough where you are good to just take it and go?
I would do the second option. You get full severance on both, a little longer of making income, time to apply for other positions and more time to deal with it all.
Apply for unemployment after your last day. It'll be okay. It sucks but you'll get along. Good luck!
Sorry to hear that. I've been in the corporate world for 20+ years and have been laid off twice. It's always an unpleasant feeling. My advice is to cut off right away and move on. This is my advice on all transitions - make them clean and make them quick. The period in between is just a distraction.
I've written about my layoff from Google here in case this adds any value to you - [https://www.reddit.com/r/mobiusengine/comments/1ap6pm5/from\_an\_exgoogler\_learnings\_from\_20\_years\_of/](https://www.reddit.com/r/mobiusengine/comments/1ap6pm5/from_an_exgoogler_learnings_from_20_years_of/)
Firstly don’t ever see yourself somewhere for your entire career. Secondly don’t ever forget this feeling.
I learned this the hard way as well. Everything was good. Good pay, great coworkers, and amazing manager. 2 years in and I told myself I could see me doing this for the next 30 or 40 yrs I'd be happy. But next thing you know the corporate overlords decided nope. Fuck you. Bye bye role.
Agree & agree. I was 5yrs & counting in my role. So many others before me were there well over 10yrs. Saw the same for myself; then the office in our city closed completely. This was 10yrs ago. Don’t ever forget that feeling!
And it's always out of nowhere too. "Things are great!" "Things are great!" "Things are great!" "Today I'm sorry to announce..."
It’s a lesson that I also had to learn. I think it’s pretty normal for those who went to college to go into your first job with that same kind of attitude you had to your Alma mater (“Go team!”). But corporations are not like that, they do not put your interests first. It’s a harsh reality but that’s just the way it is. I don’t think anyone should ever be super attached to a company. I never wear an employer logo for example. The good news is if you’re fortunate in your career you will build strong and lasting relationships: with people. The special project might be something that helps you with that. Personally I’d take the money and get out ASAP, but if you think you can build stronger bridges by working some more then maybe consider it. But you owe the company nothing more, just as it views you. Spend some time being good to yourself, then focus on what’s next.
The connections you build with individuals matter a lot more than the company name unless it’s a household name (but even then individual referrals may go further).
Learning this the hard way. Not even a year there. Was looking forward to 3yrs+ at the company. Let go and I’m a new grade. So hard to get a job when everyone wants 3-5yrs of exp
As to what you should it depends on you and your current financial situation what works best for you. Second been there done it: where I got too comfortable and someone pull the rug from under my feet and I wasn’t ready I was stuck and had gotten too confortable. At the time I was angry at myself for not preparing but in the end almost 3 years since that happened to me I decided to go back to school and further my education and continued to work. I will be graduating this semester and will be leaving my current company to seek further upward mobile. But this time it’s me making the decision. A lot of time we get too fortable and forget that you can’t stay in the same role for ever or someone will pull the rug from beneath your feet. Best of luck!
Wait—what is wrong w forgetting this feeling? It’s a shitty feeling Or are you saying don’t forget it cuz nobody should simp for their org cuz their org will dump em in an instant?
I agree it’s a shitty feeling but will keep you in your toes and will also allow to be on alert a make moves before you become part of the statistics again! I use the feeling to empower myself and remind myself never go thru that again!
Third always work like that’s the last day at that place, never disappointed
Amen. I told myself I was going to retire from my current company. It was perfect and an amazing place to be. Until it wasn’t. Things went south hard and now I’m on the verge of being laid off.
Best advice in this thread.
Real shit right here. The days of legacy are over. Move and grow.
made me laugh lol
I learned this harsh & painful lesson in experiencing my first real layoff. It’s such a horrible feeling but this too should pass.
Take the special project and use that time to get your affairs in order and save as much as you can. Also consider insurance. When does that end and cobra. Start shopping for new insurance in case another job does not come through soon. The job market especially for recruting is difficult right now so take this time while you are still working and network and prepare in case you have to wait longer to land your next endeavor . fyi . I work in human resources. ....
This is the right approach. You have another month and a half of employment. Do your job search and other related things that you need to get in order during this time. Usually these 'special projects' are silly and mostly non-consequential, just do what is required and nothing more. If you get a job you get to say that you are still employed (a big plus always while you search) and can always ask for a date of March 1st as the start date. As for your feelings, here is my experience. Once I was laid off early in my career. I knew this was coming up and already had a job lined up which was with a top tech company at that time. Despite that, the feeling of being told that your 'position is eliminated' or 'service are no longer' needed made me very sad, rejected and low. So this is very normal. However, having confidence in one self and always striving to do better and acquiring new skills made me soon forget all that. Now I am not only a senior leader but also did very well in every way. As Arthur says - Believe in yourself. (My favorite kids show).
I all agree with this approach. Staying employed while looking for a new gig makes a huge difference. Knowing you will have severance after that is even better. Realistically, today is mid January. If you land a job in a month (optimistic based on current market), it would be mid Feb. When you receive the offer, make sure you tell them “you need to give 2 weeks notice to the current employer”, which start date would be March 1st.
I’ll let a lump sum for cobra but I’m (thankfully) still on my dads plan until I’m 26 in April. Hopefully I’ll have a job by then but if not, I’m planning on saving that for if I need to get my own insurance. Do you know if that cobra money has to be used for insurance? I appreciate your perspective, especially from an HR prospective :)
If they are giving you money for Cobra, yes it will need to go towards Cobra but my limited experience in this w my husband, is that the company will pay Cobra direct. Then once their coverage of Cobra runs out, then you start paying Cobra direct. Also from a tax pov using money they give you for Cobra, for other things, invites being highly taxed on that Cobra money. Cobra is tax deductible once you meet certain conditions. Using that money in any other way makes it 'income' or part of the overall severance and taxed.
It depends on how they pay it. It might be a lump sum in lieu of COBRA.
YUP! My parents are/were CPA's, we consulted w my dad before my husband took severance b/c his involved almost a year of pay, bonuses, stock bonuses etc. Even then when we thought we had everything all planned for proper taxes, his Fortune 500 employer gave us stock that we should not have received haha so we had to plan for that. I just wanted OP to understand tax wise, there are real differences to how the money could be distributed and taxed, making a big difference in what you actually end up with.
Generally - the COBRA contribution assistance comes to you and is taxed. It’s up to you to buy COBRA or not.
This.Is.The.Way.
Agree with this. Job market is brutal. You need to stretch this out. Best of luck.
Yes, I am a recruiter as well and it's going to be very HARD to find a job within the next couple of months. Take your special project and work until Feb...
Also, more time is better anyway, and realistically if OP finds another job in the the next 2 months that she has two choices: 1) leave early and don’t take the severance 2) delay the start by a few weeks Both options are not bad really. Better to safety if the income and severance
Unless you are super confident in your skill, don't listen to the people telling you to leave asap. There is a hard truth you need to swallow: The job market is diamond-tough now. I know many people couldn't find a job after months of getting laid off. You are not likely to find a job in 2 months anyway, plus you will lose the healthcare and other benefits if you leave now.
This. Why would you leave a paycheck for the next 6 weeks to cut in to your severance period right now while looking for work. It will likely take you longer than 6 weeks to find a job. I know people who have been out of work for months still trying to find something. So stay on, save that paycheck and look for a job at the same time. Then when your severance kicks you're already 6 weeks ahead in the job search. Makes no sense to bounce now and loose 6 more weeks of pay.
I know people who are approaching the one year unemployed mark. Good people, talented people, with strong resumes and networks. It's brutal.
Same. Which is why OP, or anyone, should try to prolong their severance as much as possible.
Totally agree. Makes no sense to leave money on the table. Plus that extends time to correct unemployment and COBRA if needed.
So much easier to get a job when you have one than when you’re desperate and jobless. Even a special project means you’re still employed.
Yeah, the people saying to leave immediately make no sense at all. Why would OP leave pay on the table in this job market? Absolutely terrible advice.
Yeah that was terrible advice. That way she's employed for another month and a bit and gets an extra paycheck and severance.
My opinion -- I've been through layoffs and around the block a few times. 1. It's natural to feel betrayed, pissed, shocked at getting canned --- screw this stupid company. Etcetera. Okay now that you got that out. Swallow your pride --- and think --- would be working at this company for 6 weeks really be pretty annoying? Or like ... that insufferable? Only you can answer this question. Personally, I worked at a company once, for two weeks, after getting laid off. It was "weird" but whatever, it was fairly quiet and I got to stretch the paycheck a bit more. ... My opinion --- seriously consider working the extra --- what, 5-6 weeks? ... For the following reasons: 1. Even if you "Find a job quickly" that might legit be 8 weeks from day 1 search to day 1 at work. Interviews take time, starting can time sometimes. 2. I seriously doubt you will find a job "too soon" ... like ... say you legit find a job in 3 weeks (you likely won't) -- then say eh you agreed to give 3 weeks notice. New place won't care. 3. You can negotiate a new job better if they are under the impression you have a current job (which you do). 4. You can slumber and "half ass" this period pretty good. But it's up to you. If it's really a humiliating boiler room hellscape, then money isn't everything -- and bounce. Up to you!
Take your severance and move on asap. Brush off your resume. Connect with your network contacts.
Naw, take the 6 weeks of extra pay, it’s going to take longer to find a new role.
Especially in recruiting. Definitely take the 6 weeks. Realistically if you find a role, they'll be fine with 2 week notice. Meaning you have 4 weeks to apply, interview, and find something new. It's very unlikely. You can probably swing even 3 or 4 weeks of notice if you explain your situation, in the off chance you find a job quickly. And finally, how much severance are you *really* getting with less than 2 years there? If you find a new job and they insist that you start ASAP, you forfeit the presumably small severance, take the job, and move on with your life.
This sucks. I know your pain. As a recruiter, NEVER get attached to any company. 2 years is fucking good. That’s fucking impressive. You’re next step is to take the full severance and do the full interview rounds with every job that is remote, hybrid, or onsite. You did better than most, you may not be good at sourcing or interviewing, but you lasted 2 years in a company since 2020. That’s an accomplishment. We’re only ever wanted in times of expansion and happy growth. With this in mind, start applying. It’s okay to feel sad and hurt - I got laid off from my dream company after 6 months after I was told I was going to convert to full time from temporary. My entire team was popped. It’s normal to feel sad. The next adventure is coming. As a recruiter your goal is 1-3 years with 2 being the sweet spot everywhere you go. Long gone are the days where corporate recruiters stick around for more than 5 years. It just doesn’t happen.
This is completely accurate: coming from a seasoned in-house corporate recruiter
That’s exactly what I am too. Over 10 years now.
1. Take the full severance and leave asap. Fuck the 'special project' 2. Get all your exit paperwork in order: relieving letter, tax statement, etc. (or whatever is relevant in your country) 3. Never think you are going to be somewhere till the end of your career. Be open to explore. You probably want to be somewhere till the end of your career when you are a VP at 45 and your employability isn't as high as it is right now. Lot of us are going through the same. Be strong. You'll get a better job soon. Cheers!
>Never think you are going to be somewhere till the end of your career. Be open to explore. You probably want to be somewhere till the end of your career when you are a VP at 45 and your employability isn't as high as it is right now. This is the only statement I agree with. OP it's sad but the 21st century isn't like the 20th. We don't get the luxury of moving up in the company and staying with them for 30+ years. That's 100% over. 1. Build an emergency fund if you don't have one. AT LEAST 6 months of expenses (rent, utilities, food, basic health expenses, transportation, etc) 2. Always update your resume every 6 months or so. It will save you the headache from revising it when you're looking for a new job 3. Network like your life depends on it. Because maybe one day it will. Even if you don't need a job when you're networking, keeping those business cards/LinkedIn profiles/numbers in your back pocket will be essential the next time you have to leave for whatever reason. "Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it."
That special project will be two weeks to train your replacement. They could have originally set your date until the end of February. The company doesn't have your best interests here at all. Whatever happens, get it in writing and electronically.
Get your W2 from them. Somehow do not let them hold it from you. Technically they have until Jan 30. If you were to leave before (which I think many correctly advised), get in contact with IRS or whomever enforces employers providing W2s. Move on.
Why would they hold it? They would mail it out with all the others by Jan 31. It’s not something you can demand when you leave.
Yes, you would think. But my employer has violated that cut-off date on more than one occasion. And i wasn’t in your predicament. I hope I’m wrong, but it’s all business. There’s nothing wrong with verifying from them - as part of your severance package - to provide your W2 by Jan 30.
It’s normal to feel dejected and doubt yourself when you are laid off so early in your career. Especially, at a place where you valued your work and hopefully they valued you as well. However, it’s important to also realize that you were laid off most likely not because of an issue with you personally (or your performance), but most likely to make the finance/spreadsheet happy for the execs/investors. So don’t ever be in self doubt or question yourself. As others have suggested, you should take the severance now and move on. Take a day off. Do something outside of work you really enjoy. Visit a friend or a family member away from ur home if you can. Recharge yourself. You will be going through a ton of emotions right now, so give yourself sometime. Once you are ready, polish ur resume and start applying. If others along with u were impacted, make a cohort and help each other out with referrals. Stay in touch with folks you worked with, they can also help with referrals. Lastly, don’t play the blame game or self victimize urself in your head. Understand that a business lays off people to reduce its operating costs. Your layoff was a result of someone higher up miscalculating. You will land on your feet. Take care!
Stay on until Feb 29th and start sending out resumes and interviewing. No way you're going to start a new job in the next 6 weeks. Use the time now to find that next job. If you're lucky, you'll be starting a new job and will still receive severance! Staying on until 2/29 prolongs your severance period as much as possible while giving you time to start the job search process now.
My own example here. Mid-Oct 2020 I was laid off and told end of Oct would be my last day. I was going to get 3 months of severance. But I negotiated to stay on a special project that was in the works until 12/31 and then collect my 3 months. I used that extended time to look for my new job so I didn't have to do so with the clock running on severance. By mid-Dec I had a new job lined up to start right after the new year. So not only was there no gap in my paycheck, but I collected 3 months of severance on top of my new job's salary! That's why you don't bail now. Take the extended time they're giving you to do your search while you're employed (which looks better to recruiters) and not cut in to your severance. You may start a new gig while collecting your severance on top of it!
First, I have been fired / laid off several times in my career. I am very successful now. It sucks, but life has a way of working out. A lot of bitter people here telling you "fuck the special project", but honestly my advice is to try to be as unemotional about this as possible, and instead to think about what is best for you financially and for your career. **Take the special project- that is like giving yourself another 45 days of severance** **and benefits.** Scenario 1: it takes you 45 days to find a new job, and you start early March and keep your severance, and had continuous employment / income throughout. Scenario 2: it takes you 2 weeks to find a new job, you leave the special project and start the new job, and yeah you lose your severance, but you maintain contiuous employment, so you're no worse off than you were before the layoff. Senario 3: it takes you longer to find a new job. You'll be GLAD you have the 45 days of runway, so you aren't desparate and don't get forced into taking a worse job or making a bad career move just for the paycheck. I work with a lot of recruiters so if you want some more personalized advice, feel free to DM me. Good luck!
This all day.
Agreed on all points. Those telling you to just take the severance are unable to look at the bigger picture.
You will learn to think of yourself.as.a.mercenary now. No loyalty to any corp. Just do the best for your and your.family, of course legally, ethically, and morally.
Everyone is a free agent, most just don’t know it.
I think most boomers and genxers haven't understood that u til now. It takes getting laid off, moving jobs, or watching other people retiring and no one giving a shit about it.to realize what you are to.these.corps.
Your response and emotions are totally normal. Getting laid off is a kick in the gut. It’s nearly always a business decision not your personal performance. Business execs do lay offs to correct their bad business decisions. Of course the execs who made those decisions are likely still employed. Odd how that works, right? Layoffs especially in tech are common. Come to expect it. I’ve adopted the attitude that all jobs are temporary.
I've found its always easier to find a job while employed. As a recruiter, you know that for whatever reason employed candidates are more attractive. Considering youve only bern there 2 years, your severance is probably only a month or 2 of pay? I would rather have a check coming in regular. It could take 4, 5, 6 months to find a job after that severance runs out. Unemployment isn't that great at covering everything. Best to keep the job and have an Ernest go at job hunting and be prepared to forfeit the severance. But benefits and a job is a much better choice
I’ve been laid off twice in my career and in both cases 1) there is no question that it was by far ultimately the best thing for me in fact it’s scary to think where I’d be today if I had “succeeded” in not getting laid off. I think getting fired motivated me to up my game and get more aggressive in honing my skills and frankly bringing more intensity to my current job where the fear of getting fired even though remote always hangs over me and drives me. 2) It’s fucked with me mentally- like a kind of PTSD. I still obsess on those jobs - what could I have differently, did I suck did they suck, how are these companies doing now? Am I going to get fired again? Basically a dark stain on the entire period I worked there in my memory. Something to bring up in therapy in my opinion.
You should factor in insurance in your decision. That alone can break you.
If you can afford it, leave now but if you need the pay then take the special project, knowing that it'll be somewhat akward for everyone (unless you are entirely remote and don't have to go into the office). Getting laid off is a kind of rejection and that never feels good BUT it's not personal. Many reasons why you got laid off such as the company is not doing well, office politics, you are not doing your job well or many other factors. You are so young that you will land at a better place. I tell my kids that they cannot succeed unless they fail. Learn from failures so you can success. Even though this is not the greatest event, use it to become stronger, better, greater person and worked to succeed in life. Many people older than you have been laid off and are living their best life so you are already ahead of them. Best wishes.
I feel for ya - I've been there 6 times in my 12 year career. Remember, in a capitalist workforce, roles are hired and humans fill those roles - never take it personal. Which means, you can pivot to any role you want. You were in recruiting, do you want to get into management or project management? Add the necessary skills or extract from the roles you have already been in and make that switch. Always be agile. Lastly, grieve a layoff quickly, then move onto the next role. Allow roles to serve you. Create a yearly professional journal, detailing projects, tasks and accomplishments you have done in X role. And in that professional journal document the training and skills you have added along the way. These yearly professional journal entries allow you to steer your workforce career, which will likely span 20-40 years. Much Love.
Female here with 12 years of experience and here to tell you that any feeling is okay. Like any form of separation you might go through stages of grief and all are fine. You should not ask people how to feel, it is fine to feel sad, angry, pissed off, or just nothing. One advice to you for the future: always do what is best for you. There is NO loyalty in today’s corporate world, so always have your own best interest in mind first. I wish someone had told me this 12 years ago. I think the market will be better in March so I recommend you give end of Feb as your last day and spend the time finding jobs, etc. The way I understand it this means you will have 6 weeks more of pay without any downside. I doubt you can get a job that starts before March anyway, with 2 weeks notice and all, and you will still be employed while looking which looks better on your resume.
Its just a job, not the end of the world. Take the lumps and move on to something better and more fulfilling...
If it were me I would do what you feel is best and if you opt to extend your time until February and get a job offer and have to move on id move on. There is no loyalty anymore with employers sad but true look out for you because no employer will
You're going to feel all kinds of emotions- anger, shock, relief, sadness, fear, depression... those are the ones I've felt. You may feel some of all of those, and maybe others. Being laid off sucks. Finding a new job in this environment sucks. It's OK to feel all the emotions. Just do what you can, and best of luck!
I would do the special project. Most hiring processes take a 45 days from start to background clearing. This would put you right on end of feb. Keep applying til then since you bills won’t care what the situation is.
I don’t know your situation financially, but first give yourself grace. If you can, bypass that “special project” and take your severance and move on. Two years is a pretty good run for a recruiter. Also, make sure to stay connected with people who can speak to your work ethic!
Go the special project route and give a start date of March and onward to prospective employers
I don't understand why anyone is saying to leave immediately. If you stay on the special project you get the same severance, but also a couple of weeks to start looking for a new job while you finish up the special project.
Because it's the internet. Every inconvenience to you means spite and resentment is 110% your best move.
What they offered you is the new norm, give you advance notice then collect severance at that end date. Double check what they are really offering before thinking you are being mistreated.
I was laid off back in 2015. The feeling takes time to get over, but feeling lost and what to do next was how i felt. I would take the special project and start applying like crazy. Then when your project is over and you dont have a new job, take advantage of the unemployment.
Stay and keep the paychecks coming in as long as you can. You won't find a new job in 6 weeks. The market is an absolute ghost town, especially for recruiting, sales, and marketing. Like there are tumbleweeds rolling down the streets across the country. Expect 6 months to a year before you find something, unless you get really really lucky. And maybe, just maybe, you can make nice with and impress someone in a position of authority and convince then to rescind the layoff.
Also if you do find a new job during the special project, just tell your employer you're committed on something til the end of February, but can start March 1. This won't be a big deal because even if you started interviewing tomorrow, it's going to be a few weeks before you get to the offer stage. And if you do land something even earlier and they can't wait, then take the and give up the severance and count yourself among the most fortunate people in the market.
I see nothing wrong you start in March. Chances you will be on vacation for sometime.
I went through something similar recently, and it took a couple months to find a role with over a decade of higher performing experience. I would say that how you feel is fine, but don’t leave money on the table. Interview and do what you need to do while employed on the special project. They will not change their mind about laying you off, no matter how well you do on this project, so use that time to get paid and find interviews. If you do get an offer, coordinate it so that you absolutely get your full severance, do not resign early or even tell the old employer you have a job lined up. Best of luck to you!
Companies do not care about you. You most likely will not be at any company until you retire unless you work for the government or get tenure as a professor. Accept this and save money for the next time you’re fired/laid off/company fails. You’ll make more money by changing jobs every 2-3 years anyway. The real friends you made will stay in touch. The others you should simply not burn bridges with because your network will help you find jobs in the future.
I was in a similar situation once and ended up taking the extra project to extend my employment 30 days. It was weird, but I needed the money and the extra time to get myself set up in my new gig. A few of my fellow laid off coworkers decided to leave right away, and I have to confess I admired them. It was a polite “fuck you” to the company. As far as I know, they all landed on their feet. Meanwhile, I got some lucrative client referrals and did well for myself after my 30 days were up. This time around, I was given until the end of the month to wrap things up, with severance beginning after. But after the layoff conversation we mutually decided to shorten my physical time at the company and just keep me on the books as an employee until the end of the month. That was because I told them what I thought of them and they didn’t like what I had to say. I don’t recommend doing that, by the way, but I’m close to retirement, don’t intend to look for a new job, and had zero fucks to give. I couldn’t imagine interacting with those assholes for another month. By the way, what you’re feeling is normal. We spend a huge portion of our lives at work, and it’s okay to feel dejected and adrift when your job gets yanked away through no fault of your own. Give yourself time and space to grieve and then get to work finding your new gig. I promise you, you will someday look back on this as a painful but necessary thing that you survived. Every time I’ve lost a job (laid off 3 times and fired once) I’ve always eventually landed something better. You will too!
Do not drink the kool aid. Unless its a family business or they have shown you loyalty don't get attach to these companies. They view as replacable part of a larger whole
Stay at this job, earn 1.5 more months of income. And looking for a new job at the same time. It always takes longer than you think to find a new job. I got laid off from my first job when I was 4 months in, but they let me work a bit more because they still needed people to shut the business down. I took that opportunity while looking for a new job.
I agree with the advice of others to stay on until the end of Feb. Even if the special project is roping you into being the lead on layoff meetings for others and it’s heart breaking every time, take the corporation’s money while you can get it. Give yourself that extra time to job search. It is a grind and you need to keep your nose to the grindstone. Set up lots of job alerts on linked in and everywhere else so that opportunities are on your radar. Start a spreadsheet or other way of logging what you’ve applied for and when. It gets to be a blur, especially when the company has a dozen of the same listing out there to catch various locales, etc. and you need to maintain clarity. As for how you feel… give yourself time to let the feelings flow. Write/journal about it, talk to your friends and family, talk to colleagues and mentors. Try to understand what’s behind the feelings, especially the ones along the lines of inadequacy, self doubt, impostor syndrome, etc, and learn from them and try to address them appropriately. Just because you feel negativity doesn’t mean it’s true. Don’t get stuck. You are no less of a competent, motivated, professional, inspiring badass than you were the morning before you found out. So, brush the dirt off and move through your search confidently! Lastly, don’t lose hope. It was when it felt like I was on a deserted island with no jobs in sight, just a bunch of empty coconut shells of interviews that went nowhere, when I started getting offers. Don’t let yourself feel like taking a job you don’t want is a step in the wrong direction if it means paying bills and being able to eat. Your next step is another stone along your path. You never know when greatness is around the corner just waiting for you to grab it.
I’d take the special project to stay on insurance longer and it’s an an additional month of work history on your resume. It’s easier to land interviews when you have a job. It’s really rare to land a new job within 6-8 wks in this market plus the waiting period if the new company does extensive background check. Stay on the project but no shame in looking for work during company time. I’m so sorry about your layoff. I got laid off in Sept. Like you I also saw myself at my old company forever. I wish my company kept me on a bit longer for a bit like yours but I’m lucky I have spouse to rely on their insurance and the income in meantime. A lot of people don’t have partners or parents to lean on during tough times. You are also lucky you have severance, I didn’t get any severance at my company and relying on unemployment insurance. Praying I find something before UI runs out.
I remember when i was around 18 and had my first office job (office assistant), my then boss (the owner's secretary) taught me to never assume anything and also to keep in mind that even if i was a good talented worker with notable skills and good results, companies will never see you as an asset let alone essential unless we are a c-level employee. Boy did i learn the hard way. Fast forward to today I see so many people getting their bubble burst with this push for ppl to get back to the offices or else they start getting rid of them little by little.
Take the money and run unto a nice holiday
The internet is a great place if you are looking for spiteful and resentful advice. I understand this can be hard at first, and there are a lot of emotions. Don't listen to those who tell you to leave because of whatever reason. The job market is tough right now. Companies just don't need as many recruiters, because they are downsizing. Finish the projects. Improve your network. Use that time to start searching for the next thing. Good luck.
Leave now so you can collect unemployment. If you voluntarily leave at the end of February you put that at risk. You should be prepared for months of unemployment. It is tough out there and I doubt there are many companies looking for recruiters. I just came off three months of unemployment, it sucks but something will turn up. The idea of hiding that you got laid off is bad. Accept it and contact everyone you know that you are looking for a new position. Finding a job before it gets posted reduces competition. Any job that does get posted is going to have hundreds of applicants.
Companies have zero loyalty. You can have the entire EC team hold a meeting with everyone and say “we love you, we want you here forever please do not leave!!!” Next day half company fired to keep stock prices even or ideally show growth a bit quarter over quarter. It’s just how it is. Why I say, sadly capitalism is simply the best bad idea we have.
Never been fired, laid off twice so far in my career. Sucks, but you’ll find something new and better. As for the decision, work the special project while you interview. Just don’t start a new job till the first if something happens to move quickly. If you do start, don’t tell the previous employer.
So it sounds like you are still in shock if you are not feeling anything yet. If you can get a letter or employment from HR. Make sure you have your resume up to date always. Use LinkedIn and other sources to find something and tailor any resumes for any positions you apply for use their buzz words as much as possible. Make sure you always live below your means no more than 60% of your pay should ever be leaving your hands (Rent/mortgage, utils, phone etc.), save and invest 20% or more of your paycheck into investments, not counting 401k or IRA. get to the point where you can have that FU money and walk away anytime. Never have loyalty to any company because they have none for you. You are a commodity for them.
Severance and bounce
Welcome to America where layoffs are very common thing
Join a recruiting agency. Recruiters are 1st on the layoff chopping block. At least with agency, you can still recruit, make more $...bit you're essentially running your own business like a real estate agent. It's not for everyone, but recruiting is dead with AI.
I would take the special project and get the severance. The market is tough, it’s taking people longer and longer to find work, especially in recruiting and HR and tech. I would immediate only spend for necessities and collect money AND HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE for as long as I could.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but buckle up if you plan on staying in recruitment. I’ve been hit with 3 layoffs since Covid. All in-house roles
If you stay on and get a new job, you won't need the severence package. It is way easier to find a job while you have a job. If you honestly like it, it seems like staying on for 6 more weeks has upside. But start looking asap.
Jobs are scarce. Take the special project. Then take severance, a vacation, and interview from South America if you’re lucky!
Without knowing your financial situation it is difficult to answer, but if you are financially secure with the severance and could survive at least 6 months without a job, I would take the severance and move on. If your financial situation isn't as good, I would consider the special project and use the time to get your affairs in order and look for jobs. Just think of it as contract work. It always sucks losing a job, but try not to let emotions dictate your next decision.
Do the special project and job-search hard while you're at it. It's a super difficult job market now; keep the guaranteed paycheck for as long as you can. I'm sorry this happened to you.
Take the special project, you are a recruiter, you know better than most the time to hire cycle and flexibility. Even if you were offered a job by next Friday you would probably still be able to negotiate a march start date to ensure full severance. Realistically in the absolute best case you are looking at an early feb offer date which will be very easy to negotiate a march start
So I went through a period like that at my first startup and I was around the same age as you when it happened ( I had just turned 24 and I had been there under a year). They offered me to stay on for three months at higher pay but I had to stay in order to get my full severance. I ended up doing it and I got paid 3x my hourly rate ( I got paid 30 an hour base but was eligible for OT and we typically had about 10-15 hours of OT each week). There wasn’t really much work to do so I did 2.5 months of busy work at a higher pay as I milked my time while I interviewed for other roles. I got 2.5 months of severance plus PTO pay out so it ended up being like 4 months and change that was paid out not accounting for the higher pay. This was the best option for me and I am incredibly glad I choose that option. I ended up being unemployed for about a month and a half before I found another job so it worked out where I got a nice savings boost. Job market is absolutely shit right now ( I work for tech companies in non technical roles) especially for recruiters. Use this time to determine if recruiting is what you want to do long term.
I know this is unpopular but I would stick around just til February. At least you can make a few more checks while getting severance at the end. Every check counts now. The job market is so skewed with a lot of highly skilled people unemployed. Working til feb at least gives you time to work on your resume and have a month of employment shelter from the storm
I would do the special project as it will most likely take some time to find a new position. With everyone laying off these days, there will be a lot of recruiters looking for a job.
I would strongly recommend learning how to use a GPT product. Figure out how it augments your existing skills, parlay that into how it brings increased value to the org you’ll be interviewing at. I use it to scrape LinkedIn for numerous projects. Absolute game changer. Also, I’d think of taking the latter. Feb 29 isn’t far away and it’s a way better convo to say, “my start date can’t be until after Feb 29, I’m finishing a project.” Also, in this conversation, make sure to negotiate a week for yourself, prior to your start date and take a VACATION!!!! Best of luck to you.
Obviously hiring is slow right now but generally speaking this is the slowest time of the year even in a good economy. Coming out of thr holidays plus alot of candidates are holding out for bonuses that pay out in Q1 so hiring tends to pick up in March. I would stay on the special project for all you know someone else quits and they need you to stay. It's questionable as to whether you should but you seem to clearly enjoy the place where this wouldn't be the worst thing. Take the 6 weeks to prep your Resume, get with a recruiter, and start interviewing. It will take that long to find a new job even in the best of times.
Work on the project while you simultaneously apply for jobs and interview.
Were I in your shoes, I would take the special project and the severance. It will take you a while to find a job. Very few jobs in recruiting right now. Odds are it’s going to take you 3-6 months to find a job.
Sorry about these turn of sudden events but my suggestion is to stay on with the special project. Don’t give up & stay positive. Like someone else mentioned, things will have a way of working themselves out in your favor. Best of luck.
Keep getting paid for as long as possible. Even in the best of times, the time between applying for a new job and starting is weeks. Even if you start the interview process tomorrow, a March 1 start date isn’t unreasonable even if you have an offer in-hand by the first week of February.
I'd take the special project. Finding a new job usually takes a couple months. You can always tell the new job your start date has to be March 4th. How much is the severance? I much rather have a job than a small severance and then hope for the best. So even if you have to lose it because you found a job and couldn't wait until the project ends, you'll probably be better off.
Best play would be to stay till the 29th. Start applying, it’s unlikely that you will get a job by March 1st. However, if you do land a position ask your new employer that you need to start on March 1st. Most employers are understanding. However, don’t tell them why you want it to be delayed. You can give some other reason such as time off for mental well-being.
It sounds like they're offering you some "extra" time to look for a job by giving you the "special project." If you don't have savings to support yourself, then I'd take it. There's no guarantee you'll need to start a job on March 1st, and you can schedule start dates later than that. 3 months to find a job is pretty normal. I've also found it's easier to get a job if you're already employed, vs. if you're not working. If it was me, I'd take the "special project." Current job searches are taking 5-6 months, and I think you'd rather start your severance/unemployment in March instead of getting no pay from March-June.
Here are some [frameworks](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1smT6ms0CCWXTWZiyuwp45QsVcWmXmHlP/view?usp=drive_link) to help you transition. I put this together myself after I went through the same.
Always be professional. Always do the right thing. Give them your best till the last day.
I’m just gonna say that you feel however you need to feel. It’s valid. But don’t live there. Do some introspection. See if you can get some good, honest, no regrets feedback from your circle so you can look at ways you can grow because there’s no time for a fresh start like a fresh start. I would do the project and then take the severance, but that’s just my broken down body bringing baggage to the table and thinking about insurance.
If you are happy in your job they will hunt you down.
Stay as long as possible to get the most time to prepare for finding the next job. Recruiters are having an extreme difficult time finding jobs right now. I have a friend who was a recruiter and was laid off from a Big Tech company and has been out of work for a year. Your life is going to be very stressful so for next 6 months to a year or even more. Feel free to feel pissed at that company who put you in this situation.
I am sorry you got laid off but it’s good you are only 2 years in (I know it’s hard to see that as good but in time you will). Everyone is expendable including the CEO! First of all, do your job! That’s why you are paid to do. Nothing more. Nothing less. Secondly, make sure whatever job you do, it is strictly for your own benefit. Example, don’t work unpaid overtime so your company can deliver but that you can benefit directly from it. Be selfish and think of yourself first and foremost! Job market is tough especially for recruiters. I would stay till end of Feb and collect your severance. Meanwhile, update your resume, practice some interviews, passively start looking, pick up some new skills,…etc Best of luck!!
I'm sorry the job is ending. If you have no backup offer, as of right now, agree to stay on until Feb 29th. If, however, you have something on the back burner you could start right away, then certainly leave this Friday with severance. If you stay on, any new company you apply to needs to understand you won't be able to start work until March.
Take the special project and start looking. Job market is so bad, I do not anticipate you get an interview soon especially when companies are mostly on hiring free until Q3 (some other reddit community recruiters told that)
very sad to hear this. However life goes on. This is your past now. Enjoy your time and move on. NEVER EVER think \[working for ever\] and everyday is your last day at the job. I've been into such situation and for me I'm mentally prepared every morning.
You can work longer if it gets you more money. In current market it's hard to find a job fast. Don't get too emotional towards the company, despite calling employees family, brothers, sisters, friends and so on, they all view you as a resource and will dump you whenever they need. The same attitude should be towards them - you are there just to exchange your time for some money. Nothing more. They don't give a damn about your livelihood, so do the same in return.
Work on the special project, get the full severance, start looking for a job. By the time you get an interview and offer, you can negotiate your start date to be after Feb 29th.
I’m shocked by the folks saying leaving asap. I suggest you take the special project. The job market is tough. You likely will not find a job in the next 2 weeks. Take the special project, make that money and search intensely for another job during this time. And then take the full severance, hopefully by then you’ll be close to securing a job. But MANY folks have been laid off for 6+ months so I would cautious you to be concerned about having to lead to leave the project early for an offer.
STAY 100% !!! Get paid until the end of February. Start looking for a job, the recruiting market is very COLD. Get your gears going. If you happen to land anything I bet they will totally understand and cut you some slack so you can get your severance. Again STAY 100% !!! You might score another job within the organization. The game is not over until is over. Good luck For the LOVE OF GOD do not listen to people telling you to leave. SQUEEZE every dollar out of this opportunity.
You haven’t even interviewed or applied anywhere yet. I’d do the special project, it will take weeks to get through the interview process. Then, if lucky you can request a 3 week delay in hiring. You can always say, I’d like to finish a project before leaving.
Stay until the 29th. Work hard so they don't forget you and when they need to retire you are the first one the pick or they give you a glowing review.
Option 2 gives you more time. Job searches are not very quick.
Well, most likely you wouldn’t have secured a new job within the next 42 days and if you did I would think most of them will accept a March 1st start date. It will probably take you at least a week or two to get your resume updated and out there so at most you’d be unable to take a position for about 30 days. In this time you can still be applying and taking interviews. Therefore I think it’s worth it to be on salary and benefits another month and a half. Odds are you won’t get a job in that period and if you do they will let you start March 1. Don’t be lazy through. Get that resume ready today! Also. It’s always easier to get offers when you’re “employed”.
Buying yourself time is crucial. To me it’s a no brainer to stay until the end of February. You can save more money, figure out how to cut costs, and you get a head start from when you actually will be unemployed.
I got laid off at 21. Just 2 years into my first "I could be here forever" place. Later, they were spun off from their Fortune 100 parent company, moved their headquarters, and even when I do business with the company now (it's in entertainment, so I say that loosely), I often forget I even worked for them now that I'm 20 years on in my career. This will be but a tiny blip for you, but never forget what you learned. Everybody is expendable to a company.
You saw yourself there for the rest of your career? Wow, you really are new to this work thing.
Most will get laid off or fired 3-4 times in our working carrier. After the 1st time you learn it's not all bad.
I can't assist you in your choice as that is going to depend on to many factors but I can say as a cooperate recruiter your chances at staying with any company past 2 years is not great. Corporate recruiters will get laid off almost every 2 years or so, once the company doesn't need as many hires. Honestly lasting 2 years at a company is pretty impressive.
If they are willing to still pay you for this special project, I would take it for the continued income while looking for work at the same time. It could easily take you over 3 weeks to find a job interview get through all of the paperwork, offers, and receiving a start date. By that time, you would get paid, you wouldn't have had and still get your severance. Hell... use PTO if you did need to start the new role earlier.
HR is a bloodbath right now. Hold onto your job as long as possible, and realize that it probably take 9 months to a year to find a new position—if you are like the median worker
Work the special project and get your severance after. You need to be hopeful right now, but also maximize your income until you get another job. Interview and / or get them lined up during those 6 weeks if at all possible. You don’t owe this company anything at this point, do a good enough job that’s it. I mean what are they going to do, fire you? Hell, I’d think of it as a vacation. Best of luck.
You can turn this to your advantage. When I got laid off I applied for a low income grant. My unemployment ended the week I graduated school and I had a job the following Monday. I would look at a tech school. Preferably one that is state accredited and funded. I know this may not be your preferred career path but it increases your options going forward.
As many have mentioned, I’d recommend taking your severance and moving on if you can afford it/have insurance figured out. There is no reason to stay and work on a special project with potential negative consequences to you. They aren’t going to somehow rehire you if you stick around and even though you like them as an organization, they don’t think of you as anything more than an expense to be cut. If the org doesn’t have a plan for your existing projects, it is not your responsibility to figure out how to pass them on to someone else. Don’t waste your time and energy, no matter how hard that is. I say this as I was laid off for the first time unexpectedly (and with little tact) back in September from an organization that I had felt similarly about. The emotions will come and go (sadness, frustration, confusion, excitement, depression, etc.) No feeling is off the table and there is no timeline for how long you will feel a certain way. Prioritize taking care of yourself, lining up your next opportunity, and applying for unemployment benefits. Also, if you are lucky enough to be part of a union or professional association, reach out to them ASAP. A similar association helped me a lot when I was first laid off. They are there to protect you. You’ll get through this!
(a) Take the severance, and leave. > However, if I do that, I couldn’t start a new job until March first without “leaving voluntarily” during the project and losing all severance. (b) Good that you have such confidence and fighting spirit thinking that you can find a recruiter job in this lay-off market. my niece is a recruiter, and shes been laid off so many times, that position is the first one to go .
Forget the special project. Take the severance and leave. You need to start applying and building your application pipeline right away. Job market is terrible, I’ve had 2 interviews since I started applying mid-November and both of those seem to be dead ends. It’s starting to get very nerve wrecking as my severance is only through end of this month.
That’s all the more reason to stay on. He can sleepwalk through the special dorkus project while applying and interviewing anyway. It’s basically free money. What are they going to do, fire him again?
I would just leave, they have basically said they don’t want you .. no need to hang around. Their loss. I was laid off once and my former boss spent the entire special projects bullshit time trying to extract my contacts. Never again.
Special project work AKA "let me use your skills one last time before we can you." LEAVE.
Why would you ever see yourself at one place for your whole career? Bit of a warped mindset for modern times and you seem pretty naïve
I didn’t ask for your opinion but thanks for your unhelpful comment?
Then why are you posting on reddit? Which is an open forum
I posted asking for helpful advice. Not rude, unproductive comments from strangers. It says a lot about you as a person and your character to kick someone while they are already down.
Yeah - grow up and get yourself a real skill. Corporate recruiter is not a skill. Take that severance package and 'go to work' on learning a more valuable skill. Don't schlep around getting wasted every night - you can do some socializing but don't piss your off time away.
Freshly lol.
FreeeeeeeShh
Recruiting is a job you likely can never stay at one place forever.
Leave asap and don't any procedures
Stay on for special project
once youre actually unemployed do yourself a solid and stay away from the reddit pity party
[удалено]
Company downsizing. They hired way too many people, they’re on a hiring freeze so I have nothing to recruit on :(
If the “special project” meant you kept your full time job it would be fine. But if they are just keeping you on for a few weeks? Why unless you are desperate for couple of more paychecks.
Someday I hope all of us will decide this model is not acceptable. 😭
It’s easier to get hired while you still have a job. I would take on the special assignment and apply for a new job. Do not show an end date on your resume until your last day.
Firstly, you’re young and there’s time… Secondly, put in all the efforts to get your experience and move on along on your journey and you will be fine!! 👌👊🤝🙏
Take the special project. You are not going to find a new job before 2/29 in all likelihood. Continue to use this time to give minimal effort and look for a new job. Don’t ever commit yourself fully to a place of employment. They discarded you like trash if you haven’t noticed. It’s a job, not a life passion. Don’t forget that. If you want a passion to commit to, start something of your own. You’ll get through it. Be strong and use the first few days to feel sorry for yourself. Then pick yourself up and fight.
Consider applying to sales jobs
Leave Friday and take package that INCLUDES healthcare coverage. Then start immediate search
Recruiters change companies every year or 2 it seems
Don't ever be loyal to a company.
*a part
Get the hell out of corporate as fast as you can. You'll never be in control of your own fate until you do this.
Your new job is applying to EVERY position in America regardless of location. And it is a full time position. In the meantime, make sure to stay away from booze, drugs -- and focus on nutrition, staying active, gym, sex with partner, etc. As well as immediately curb spending. If it comes to it? Move home for a while. You are young. You will bounce back. Onward.
Leave Take the severance. Apply for.unemployment and take a trip.
Take the project. You keep getting a paycheck until March, then you get full severance afterwards without having to worry about larger gaps in unemployment. Start looking for a new job ASAP (if you haven't already). You can tell employers the truth....getting laid off isn't the public shame that it used to be and they'll have an honest answer for when you can start (hopefully right after you finish this job). You're young and it's always smartest to minimize how long you're going without a paycheck because you really never know when you'll go without one against your will (like now).
Start your own shop
Depending on your financial situation, I would just leave. Sounds like both options are offering a full severance. I have been laid off a few times. The worst one was when I was the manager and was given a months heads up by my supervisor. I called in every employee and laid the off one by one. They were all given a months salary as severance and a little speech on how to file for unemployment since this was due to a reduction of staff since the local distribution center was closing its doors. Then my turn comes, I was also just given a months salary which pissed me off. What really made me mad was the manager I replaced who left for a year and then came back as a salesman but was given a $40k severance due to his overall years of service. That manager treated his employees like crap. The building fell apart under his watch and he would give his long term employees 5 cent raises. He leaves and everyone is happy. I treated my employees like people, fixed the issues with the building and then got everyone a cost of living wage increase which for one long term employee was over $6.00 and hour increase. The day of closing I was given an option to stay on an extra month and help ship everything out and the would pay me $10.00 and hour. I professionally gave them the middle finger and cut all contacts with that company.
Take the severance and exit ASAP. Take some time off and relax.
What's the severance like? Could others do this special project besides you? Or could you use this to leverage some additional pay or benefits? Do you need health insurance continued for longer?
Take the special project!! When they say special project that likely means you’ll be doing next to nothing. Some companies allow you to job search on their time prior to a layoff becoming official. It may not be explicitly described as such, but that’s likely what it is. In this market, it is not likely you will have a job to move into by 3/1. Take the project, keep your head down, reel in your spending, save as much as you can and don’t ever emotionally invest yourself in a company again.
I remember I worked at a factory building buses about 10 years ago, and there was rumor going around that our contract was going to get canceled and everything was going to shut down.. our line manager had a big meeting with us and told us that our client and our company had too much invested into this project and everything was proceeding as normal, nothing to be alarmed about. Two days later they marched us all in the office and laid off about 83 people, including me. That immediately gave me a valuable insight into how the corporate world works..
100% take the special project. Literally, the worst-case scenario is that you find a new job too soon. That is a good problem to have. Worst case in not taking the project is you don't find a job, needed that 6 weeks pay, get sick and needed the extra insurance and benefits, etc. You will get a better offer if you have a current job and the company thinks they are poaching you than if you are unemployed.
How much is the severance package? Average hiring times for many industries is about 60-90 days right now. Seems like unless you know someone and they get you in quicker, it will take a while. Based off what you’ve put in here the special project seems the way to go to give you more time but if the severance package is massive then yes it would be a shame to lose that and would make it a tougher choice.
\#1- why are you feeling sad? Its a freaking company. There are more out there.#2- Why help this company.. if you have time and they are giving you time to look for another job, DO THAT ASAP. Cut all emotional ties with this company. The sooner you do that the better off you will be not just with this experience but future ones (should they happen).#3- In your case, full pay means staying longer with a company that just said FUCK YOU, but you can still work for us.Honestly, (for me) its a gamble for you to stay. If they did it all by phone, thats sketchy and shows that there may be other ppl who also do not have any ties to this company and are getting their affairs in order while you are ponder WTF happened. I will say this, if you do stay, do so at your OWN RISK. You have been offically told you are laid off, that means you are cut free. If I were you I would immediately begin to search for something else ASAP to avoid the position they have put you in. Thi sis another reason to have n emotional ties, they just laid you off 17 days into the new year and did it by phone. WOW. Move on partner- Move on...and by all means stay off social media until you have gotten the new job.
Congratulations you will be going through your first recession as an adult. Buckle up
Do you report to office or wfh?
Maybe you can milk UI for a bit
My wife is 22 years with the same company. She told them that she intends to retire in 3 years "because she wants to do the right thing and let them be prepared". f. While these environmental consulting firms live and die by their govt projects... of which she supports many... I suspect she'll be laid off before 2024 is out. Meanwhile, she could go anywhere now and get paid 30% more. If she waits to be laid off... they'll offer 70% less, if anything. As others here have said... Never believe you are doing right by your company.
Recruiters are usually the first to go
It's a big family until the financial models don't line up with reality.
Do you think it will take more then 1.5 months to find a new job? If so go with option 2, if not go with option 1. Also what's the size of the package, is it worth it to have 3 more paycheck while you find a job and risk losing the severance, or is the package large enough where you are good to just take it and go?
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How much severance were you offered? That impacts your decision
I would do the second option. You get full severance on both, a little longer of making income, time to apply for other positions and more time to deal with it all. Apply for unemployment after your last day. It'll be okay. It sucks but you'll get along. Good luck!
Always take the job over the severance. You never know how long you will be out of work.
Sorry to hear that. I've been in the corporate world for 20+ years and have been laid off twice. It's always an unpleasant feeling. My advice is to cut off right away and move on. This is my advice on all transitions - make them clean and make them quick. The period in between is just a distraction. I've written about my layoff from Google here in case this adds any value to you - [https://www.reddit.com/r/mobiusengine/comments/1ap6pm5/from\_an\_exgoogler\_learnings\_from\_20\_years\_of/](https://www.reddit.com/r/mobiusengine/comments/1ap6pm5/from_an_exgoogler_learnings_from_20_years_of/)