What I learned after losing the "dream job" I moved for
Imagine my surprise when I received a call on a Wednesday morning that the job I had moved to a new state for just disappeared (3 days before my start date).
I accepted a job offer to join a company in Boston, MA. The opportunity was exciting, but also a leap of faith. I knew moving to Boston from New Jersey meant leaving behind friends, family, and a great employer. I knew there were risks to joining a smaller company, but thought I could eliminate them by proving my value on-the-job. I never got the chance.
So I started a new job search unemployed. Here are the key things I learned along the way:
1.) Use your support system. I called family and friends daily to socialize and vent (job searching can be lonely!). I subletted my apartment and moved in with my girlfriend for additional support. I reached out to people I had gone to school with or worked for in the past. And I asked them to help introduce me to others who might be sympathetic to my circumstances & search. I was fortunate and by the end, 3 people had committed their time to supporting my job search.
2.) For me, creating structure and getting out of the house was key. I found a few cafes near me that I liked and worked at them for about a typical work day. I'd walk my girlfriend to work as a forcing mechanism to get moving each morning.
3.) Finding something else to advance on! My job search was turbulent. There were bumps, highs, and lows. Without much else going on, its hard not to ride the bumps and become frustrated/exhausted. I found that re-devoting my self to fitness and guitar practice were healthy ways to feel like I was progressing, even if my job search wasn't
After 3 months of job searching, I accepted a role with Jobcase. Ever since, I've been fortunate to be able to support and help Jobcase members find jobs and opportunities, which has been more fulfilling than anything else I've done in my professional life. I know that I may be uniquely fortunate to have the support network I had to help navigate my job loss, but sincerely hope my learnings are helpful for you fellow Jobcasers!
Thanks for sharing your valuable insights, Connor. It's great to see that these strategies worked for you, and that you landed on your feet with Jobcase!
We're so glad to have you on board! And everyone should keep this story in mind when an alumni connection, friend-of-a-friend, etc. reaches out to them to grab a coffee or network.
Glad to have you on board Connor, you're a success!
Love the part about fitness and guitar! Job searching is a tough time, but can also be a time to reflect on the things you love doing that help you get through the day :)
Connor Noon - so glad you joined, and thanks for your tactical tips on how to avoid the defeatism of being #unemployed. It's so important to stay social and active to keep your well-being in good shape. You need to feel your best, so you can perform your best in the next interview.
Remind me to thank the numbskulls who rescinded you’re offer. So glad they did - their loss, our amazing gain! Thnx for sharing this w the community. Just another way you move the ball forward every day!
Onwards and upwards....
OMG! this is an unfortunate but frighteningly common occurrence among job seekers today. We may have to take another look at the At-Will Employment laws if this continues.
You point out some significantly important action items for folks trying to keep their head above water while navigating through such remarkable stressful circumstances.
Your suggestion to reach out to our Support Circle of family and friends is the one that speaks out directly to me. Sharing our challenges and negative circumstances makes them seem less destructive and opens doors of opportunity for solutions.
Lots of Great Stuff here Connor Noon . thanks for sharing your experience :-)
Thanks for this post! Also for organizing your advice into discrete points!