worked my way up from entry-level to upper management over the past 26+ years. I read the posts here, but I thought my situation was different. I thought I was different. I was running multiple projects and supervised several clinical departments effectively (at least that’s what I thought).
We had a new CEO come in about a year ago and I was the only member of the admin team that he didn’t pick himself, yet I still thought my situation was different and I was safe.
Today, in a mere 45 seconds, he told me I wasn’t working out and he was making a change to the leadership team. After 26 years, my career ended in 45 seconds.
So I sit here tonight admitting that I was stupid and naïve. I never thought it would happen to me, but it did. If you think it won’t happen to you, don’t be too sure.
Guy in mid-50’s looking for a job… It happened a couple hours ago and I feel completely numb. I have chills. Not sure what to do or where to turn.
Sorry to be a downer but I’m alone and needed to vent to someone. Thanks for listening. I’m going to bed.
Netizens’ comments
- With that amount of experience in a single location, there will be things you know about operations that the rest of your team may not. In the event they call or email you asking for assistance, do not help without being compensated. You owe them no favors and they can pay you for your efforts should this happen to you.
- CEOs are routinely utter shit. I mean, zero-empathy but also clueless. They see their job as being willing to go in and make big unpopular decisions — and they get paid by people (investors, usually) who also see that as their job.
Are those decisions good? Often, no, they’re stupid and terrible. But they’re supposed to make big changes! Even if it doesn’t pay off! Eggs and omelets, and so on.
New CEOs are the worst. I worked for a big company, and we got a new one, and he immediately announced there’d be a big round of layoffs to pump up the stock. Right, because he made money from the stock going up, not from the company doing well. - For tonight, have some comfort food, maybe a beer, watch a favorite show/movie, take a long hot shower, turn off phone & alarms, and sleep in tomorrow.
Tomorrow [some suggest taking a long weekend of rest, then start this next Monday], freshen your resume & interview skills.
Have a relaxing lunch at a favorite restaurant.
Contact old co-workers to be references.
Take stock of your financial position.
Over the weekend, relax & putter. Catch up on reading, hobbies. Just take a break.
Return to thinking about a job next Monday. Look on job listing sites. Ask friends if they have heard about something you might be good with.