Took me over a year to get to the mental state I'm in right now, but I can finally say I'm no longer stressed out over Exxon 24/7. When the last big layoffs happened, I nearly had a mental breakdown because I was not in a position to lose my job. My life was all stressing and worrying (which in addition to my mental health affected my physical health.) Then I took the advice from my SIL and applied for an opening at her workplace (not an O&G company.) Not only did I get invited for an interview but I also received an offer. Now, I didn't take it because the pay is around 30 percent lower than what I earn here but just getting that offer did wonders for me. Knowing that there are options out there for me even at my age was such a relief. My advice to all who are in similar position is to start applying even if you don't plan to quit. Just to see what's out there. It can't hurt you and it can do a lot to help.
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If work ever means more to you than “it’s just a job”, you might need to revisit your priorities. Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t work hard, make sacrifices, etc. But, in most companies, and especially in the oil industry, your job and status is subject to risk all of the time. Everyone is expendable. Don’t wait too late in life to learn this lesson.
Directly from the Op: “My advice to all who are in similar position is to start applying even if you don't plan to quit”.
If you are serious about leaving EM for the right opportunity, that’s one thing. But if you are just shopping around with no intention whatsoever of leaving your current employer, then don’t k-dyourself with righteous virtue. You lack ethics.
How old are you?
@juj+1ajrelGC
Most of the time you have no clue what the compensation is going to look like for a potential new job. There is some number between the -30% and what this person made at ExxonMobil that would have not “made this a practice interview”.
Getting let go (not PIP) has rocked my face off. I’ve gotten to spend more time with my kids and relieve my wife some as her career takes off too.
Committed to living a healthier lifestyle. Engaged in hobbies. Focused on changing the things in my power and not something I have no sway over.
I wish all my former colleagues success and really don’t begrudge them their continued employment. Aside from not playing the rear-kissing game better and keeping a job, I wish I had networked more prior to being let go. Lapsing into the mindset of not needing an external network because XOM will be your entire career is a perilous trap.
I begin a new chapter of my career journey very soon and am glad to have found a promising gig before the next round of XOMers are cut. Good luck to everyone and don’t waste more time on stressing if/when your time is up.
Improve yourself, get some fresh air, go on vacation... but don’t shed a tear about your career when health and family are ultimately more important.
No it is not just a job. When you find most people to be mentally disturbed, arrogant, mentally poisoned and evil, it is unacceptable.
Yeah I agree with you if OP and other similar minded individuals were doing this on a regular basis but I don’t think that is what OP is advocating for....
Nuance is a thing, not everything is 100% right or wrong.
If I am part of the recruiting process and a good candidate turns down an offer and in the process, on a human level, they get a mental health boost.... As a recruiter, did I fail, let’s call it that? As a person that helps others in this difficult world, did I succeed?, f–k yes I did.
Times in my career when a project got to final capital approval and it was too expensive and the gatekeepers said no.....so was that a massive waste of time and I should hang my head in shame?
Again, what you said wasn’t wrong on its face and what OP said wasn’t wrong on its face; nuance, circumstances, fact patterns, etc.
Don’t waste another company’s time and money on practice interviews. It costs them money and likely delays truly interested individuals from being hired which only increases their stress. It is shameful, dishonest and incredibly selfish.
How would you like it if you ask multiple contractors to provide bids on remodeling your house, took the time to meet with them, reviewed their quotes, etc., only to have them all say never mind when you are ready to award the contract? That is what you did.
Other businesses are not responsible for your mental health. It’s not always about you. There are honest and legitimate options to deal with stress, and many are available at no cost to you without taking advantage of others.
Great stuff OP. Appreciate the acknowledgment that it is not easy to turn off “worry/anxiety mentality” but once you flip the switch and see the light, it’s beautiful. Good luck and great job paying it forward to others that are trying to breakthrough that mental barrier.
Great advice.