Has anyone who was let go in February had success in finding new work? If so, do you have any pointers or resources you found useful?
Trying not to get discouraged but it’s feeling impossible in this market
20 replies (most recent on top)
@OP I was laid off much earlier at the end of 2024. It took me about six months of serious job searching to find a good role, but I landed in a good spot that more than meets my needs and a place where I could see myself for a long time.
If I can give some advice, please consider the following:
1) Constantly learn from each rejection. Adapt your approach daily. Customize your resume and cover letter for each position.
2) AI is good for a sounding board and for collecting and organizing large amounts of information to help you. Don't use it, however, to write anything for you. It is very easy to spot.
3) It hurts to get rejected. Every time I was rejected, I verbally told myself "I know who I am, and I know what I can do". That helped more than I expected. Also, if you just get an interview, that is a sign that the company feels like you are qualified for the job, just not the absolute best candidate in their view. It does not mean that you are unqualified.
4) Make sure your interview answers are set to the level of position for which you apply. I applied for and got a lower level position than what I was used to, which was fine, but I had to adjust my approach. I was answering questions like "I transformed a whole division of people..." or "my recommendations saved the company tens of millions of dollars" when, while true, smacked of "overqualification" when a smaller-scale answer would have worked better.
Good luck!
@z2 It is, and I think I know who this is as they got a Director level role at Aetna which technically now Cigna can sue them since they are at a high level role.
@rd I thought that we would lose our severance if we went to a competitor? I have been avoiding applying to those jobs that I easily qualify for. Maybe I misread.
I was notified on 2/19 and casually looking found a new job making about 10% more than I made at Cigna. Took 8 weeks off to reenergize myself and started my job before the 9 week notification pay was done. I now work at Aetna and will get double paid for my 1 week remaining of notification pay plus 46 weeks of severance. So this JE was good for me as I got a week paid vacation, 10% more pay and can now out 47 weeks of pay from Cigna directly into savings.
@hf Dems are just a wolf in sheeps clothing, and Reps are open wolves.
Do not trust Dems after what they did during the last Financial/Housing crisis. They promoted H1B immigration under the guise of DEI while laying off poor/working class people. Don't be duped.
@gv Both parties are also controlled by foreign lobbyists. We need rock solid independent candidates at this point.
@gv That's just it, you can't vote Dems blindly in. At this point vote for any candidate focused on Americans and keeping jobs in. Big Tech controls Dems too and they also let this happen.
@f9
Because the Biden admin was against importing workers and exporting jobs?
Interesting
@dt I agree. Get this administration out ASAP.
@ds you all need to vote to ban offshoring, and making sure American candidates and American graduates are prioritized.
Connecticut is hard hit. As more insurance companies move out or transfer roles to more business friendly environments or to AI, its not a target rich environment to find a job.
A national search and a transfer of your skills to another industry may help widen the possibilities. As far as pay goes, you no longer have seniority or time served. It su-ks.
You’re damn right ageism is real.
If you’re over 50, cling to your role and prepare to accept your fate.
Save while you can.
@a3 not all “boomers” can retire. And good luck for those 50 and over trying tk find a job bc ageism is reel.
@a1 Same here. No luck so far. The combination of rampant outsourcing, AI rapidly replacing workers and the terrible economy is extra scary if you were laid off.
And with the Iran war dramatically increasing gas prices and causing inflation, global shortages and supply chain disruptions, I agree it’s only going to get much worse. This country is in a bad situation and we haven’t even seen the full negative impacts to the economy yet.
Well, at least Cordani and Evanko have their multi-millions.
Try local hospitals. I applied about 2 weeks ago in my area. I’ve had 2 interviews so far. I didn’t start looking for work until 4/1.
@ab That is my outlook too, let these d-mbasses fail badly and publicly.
So far the recruiters and current leaders are stupid and dont know what AI really is. Give it a year.
I did not get laid off but here are things I would do.
Make sure you update your LinkedIn & Resume and within your profile and resume quantify your impacts from your previous role
Network often and leverage your connections, it always helps if you know someone
Make sure to adjust your resume based on the job requirements, consider having multiple versions
Try to make connections with recruiters, as they can work for you
Since there are vanishingly few remote jobs out there, your success is likely to come down to your geo market.
My city is thriving relatively, but the jobs I’m seeing often pay around half of my Cigna wage and I often fall short of the more Jr roles criteria. It’s a tough time to be in healthcare and analytics. It’s especially tough to be in both.
I’m fully prepared to take a huge pay cut when I’m ultimately laid off, and I’m also prepared to take the first offer I get and like it.
I wish Cigna’s boomers would take that VRP and leave some opportunities for us younger workers.
Not yet. I’ve applied for a lot of positions but have had zero interviews so far. From what I’ve seen, more than 100 people are typically applying for every open job. The economy is bad and is only getting worse. These are scary times to be looking for a job.