Riding the Waves of Change: A Deep Dive into Surviving Double Layoffs in a Year
Navigating the professional world in 2023 was like riding a rollercoaster, filled with unexpected twists — two layoffs in one year. Let me share my story and highlight the resilience needed when faced with joblessness, not just once but twice.
Experiencing two job losses caught me off guard. As I looked forward to a better 2023, focusing on learning and taking a break, life had its own plans. Despite the challenges, this year turned out to be tough yet rewarding for personal growth.
The first layoff in my previous company was anticipated, given signs in 2022. Yet, the feeling of becoming unemployed in a minute, without a fallback job, was overwhelming.
The memory of the announcement remains vivid — racing heart, bursting emotions, and a heavy heart. To be honest, emotions during layoffs and resignations differ. When resigning, you know what’s next. Being laid off, especially without clear signs, clouds your thinking.
After a few days, I regained focus, coming back stronger, seeking a new chapter. Finding a job amid 2022’s layoffs and 2023’s tough competition was challenging. I vividly remember early 2023, where looking for a researcher job felt like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Despite the tough competition, I utilized connections, surviving the first layoff and securing a job in Surabaya. While things seemed promising initially, concerns lingered. I believed subsequent layoffs might happen in the next year, but in December 2023, I faced another layoff, testing my resilience once again.
For the second time, getting laid off by my companies, I’m still not used to the feelings. I remember that night vividly; I almost cried, wondering what happened to make me go through a second layoff within one year.
However if you are facing the same as me, here are some insight that maybe you can use in order to get out of it :
1. Don’t take it as the end of your career; instead, make it the moment you evaluate your value.
At the first layoff, I always thought that I was not capable of doing the work I did in the companies. However, as I tried to think more deeply, it became a chance for me to evaluate what kind of improvements I could make based on my experience in the previous company. What is lacking and what could be changed to boost our performance in the next company? Because if we are still working in the current company, maybe we are not motivated enough to improve ourselves. It could be that we are still in the comfort zone, which makes our motivation to grow disappear. It turnes out that it really helped me through my next journey where I could improve my self and contribute more in my next company.
2. Make it clear that you’re getting laid off; don’t take it personally!
Nowadays, layoffs are becoming a common occurrence (I hope this trend will end soon), so make sure you share it on your social media, such as LinkedIn, if you are affected by the layoff. Especially if the layoff isn’t due to your performance but rather the company you are currently working for. Why share? Because there are still a lot of good friends out there who can help you find a new job. Your work connections might be one of the people who will lead you to your new job. It also helps the recruiter understand why you are leaving a company and maybe they will reach out to you if you are being laid off. So please share it
3. Make sure you are calming your self first before applying for a new job!
I know being laid off is very mentally exhausting, even from my friends’ perspective. Those who have more than 10 years of working experience in their arsenal still suffer from mental exhaustion. So, before applying for a job, make sure you are already stable and embracing yourself with reality so that you are ready to head and take on a new challenge. You can come to your friends to talk about it, or maybe you can just talk to your mentor about something that has already happened. It’s okay; everyone also feels down, and sometimes I also feel helpless when the announcement is being made. So, relax yourself and hope you are able to get out and come back stronger
So , for me personally make sure your self that you are ready mentally and physically in order to take on for a new challenges. Reach out to your friends, go out tell them that you are not okay hopefully it would help you to be better. Remember, tough times can lead to personal growth. Like a proverb said that “Fear, uncertainty, and discomfort are your compasses toward growth” Stay resilient, keep an open mind to new opportunities, and believe in your ability to overcome challenges.
