So I’m officially unemployed.
Image retrieved via Pinterest
Yesterday morning, the HR guy showed up unexpectedly and asked me to have a chat. I wasn’t too worried – last time we’d had a chat, it was to discuss the possibility of working full-time instead of part-time.
It was about halfway through my workday, and because it was Wednesday, halfway through my work week. I was planning out all the work I had to get done for the weekend, and thinking about how to rephrase my letter asking for Christmas vacation days. There were vague thoughts of what I might eat for lunch after my shift.
I had no idea that I was about to lose my job.
My job…which revolved around a whole lot of this. No, seriously.
Actually, that’s not entirely fair. I did know that things were going badly for the company for a while. Google had penalized the website for something I still don’t understand. It meant they fell out of the first few pages of results. Site traffic was basically in free fall. One of the higher-ups had to take time off for stress-related issues – that’s a big red flag right there.
Even knowing that things weren’t going that well in general, I had hoped the penalty would get lifted and things would turn around.
Still, at some point, I knew the gravy train would be over. But I didn’t think it would be so soon.
I felt like this guy, but with better hair obviously. (Source: The Sunday Times)
When I got the news, I was so shocked I just said “Um…ok” and laughed nervously. It took me about 10 minutes to really process what was happening. The company was very kind, and explained that it really had nothing to do with me as an employee. (Obviously, that’s preferable to getting fired for poor performance, but it’s very frustrating to lose your job through no fault of your own).
And that was that. I cleared off my desk right away, and left about five minutes later in the middle of a work day. None of my co-workers had any idea it was going to happen.
Still, at least I have terrible jokes like this to make me feel better. (Source: FunSubstance)
So, now what?
I suppose I’m getting the REALLY authentic Spanish experience now! Ever since I’ve been here, about 50% of young people have been unemployed. I am definitely not alone, and I’ve got lots of friends who have gone through something similar. Actually, this just happened to one of my friends last month. Everybody gets it. It’s only been 24 hours since I got the news, but it’s already a huge help to know somebody who can give you advice.
One of those pieces of advice was to sign up for unemployment right away. I can’t do it quite yet, as I’m still officially employed for another two weeks. But fortunately, Europe has much better unemployment benefits than the U.S.
As my mum pointed out, this is one of those times I’m lucky to be in Europe. I have about three months’ severance pay and will sign up for unemployment as soon as possible. While I’m nervous about finding a new job, there’s no pressure to immediately lock down whatever job I can find tomorrow. I can try something new this time.
Source: The Levo League (via Pinterest)
I’ll be going home for the holidays, and am planning on spending my time there to re-group and really think about work. Because even though I am obviously not happy to have lost my job, I have only lost a job. I have not lost a career. To be perfectly honest, this was a job I knew would be good for a while, but it wasn’t what I wanted to do for a career. Leaving has come sooner rather than later, but it was inevitable.
Maybe this is just the push I need to move forward into the next stage of my life.
But I don’t know what “forward” looks like quite yet. At the beginning of 2014, my New Year’s resolution was to seriously think about my career plans. This time, I stuck to my resolution and have some options down.
I’ve also been thinking about going back to school for a while. In college, I was pretty intense about my senior thesis and spent years working in psychology labs. When I graduated back in 2011, I wasn’t sure about what I wanted to do, so I didn’t want to rush straight to graduate school.
But now that I have a bit of experience in the real world, I’m much better equipped to figure out what I really like about jobs and what I don’t like so much. Now that I have this unexpected change, I’m going to research programs and careers, and figure out what might be a good fit for me long-term.
That’s the plan! (Source: PopCrush)
As for where I’ll be doing all of this…well, that’s one thing that I actually already had planned out. At the end of 2015, I’m going to reevaluate based on how the program goes and how I’m feeling about Barcelona.
There are actually some aspects of living here that I find rather stressful – like unexpectedly losing your job on a Wednesday because of la crisis – and I’m still deciding if I’m willing to put up with them long-term.
So even though losing my job has been completely unexpected and is obviously causing some financial stress, I’m feeling hopeful that this could be one of those plot twists that ends up being for the better. It may just force me to make some big, scary decisions that will lead to a much more fulfilling life.
And if not, thank goodness for European social safety nets and having a supportive family who won’t let me starve. Or, as my dad promised, I won’t have to do a Walter White.
Even though I can TOTALLY pull the Heisenberg hat off.
Besos!
-Jess
Sorry to hear that you lost your job- but I think it will lead to bigger and better things. I lost my job once and it gave me the time and space to figure out what I really wanted to do career-wise. Oh, and you are still in Spain- a most awesome country- very jealous!
Thanks, Roshan! That’s definitely what I’m hoping. Right now, things are weird, but like you said it’s a good chance to get some time and space to really think things through. Thank you again for the nice message, it’s so helpful when people know what you’re going through.
As long as you have that great safety net, use this time to really thing about what you need to do next to get where you want to go. I was laid off from a job where I was paid pretty well for doing almost nothing (the company was going downhill fast; there was no business in sight, but they paid me as long as they could). I had a four month break which turned out to be a blessing for family reasons. I went back to work at a substantial pay cut for a non-profit business development center so that I could get some experience in international business. A year later the center folded, but I had the credentials to get the job I loved for the next 15 years, at a 50% pay increase plus sales commissions. Go for it!
Oh I’m so sorry! I think it’s one of those things we all experience at some point. In a way, I was fired from my first school in Spain (but not from the auxiliar program) which was an awful experience and ended up with me crying in front of la jefa de estudios as she complained to me how terrible I was. However sounds like your job was way more fun than teaching English even if it wasn’t your dream job and you weren’t let go because you were a terrible employee, it was due to budget cuts and well it’s Spain, right?
Just a piece of advice: stay busy. I was unemployed for four months when I returned from Spain before I got the job I have now and my mistake was just focusing on job searching and doing little else which predictably led to depression and feeling like a failure. It’s important to stay focused but it’s also important to take care of yourself. Whatever you decide to do, just know you will figure it out somehow. I know it may seem scary–I was terrified when I was unemployed. But I survived and you will too!
Yup, that’s Spain for you. Your experience sounds so awful! I’m really sorry that happened to you.
And thank you for the advice to stay busy. I’ve only been officially unemployed for a few days now, and I’m already noticing that not having anything to do makes me feel worse. I’m trying to make sure I get out every day, or I’m going to go crazy haha.
Wow, sorry to hear about this but best of luck in whatever comes next! At least you have a safety net and some time, right? Can’t wait to see where this fork in the road takes you! (PS, I love that terrible joke!)
Yeah, it’s not all bad. Plus, it was a job I didn’t want forever anyway – so it really isn’t the worst news. Haha and I’m glad somebody else loves terrible jokes too!
Congrats! I mean it: congratulations!
This happened to me twice, in Barcelona, and if you see things with the appropriate perspective, this is the right chance to 1/ step back and ponder over what you REALLY want (even if this is for a very short term, there’s no need for a 5 years plan!) and 2/ Enjoy some free time to take care of yourself and spend quality time with your loved ones & friends , and 3/ move forward, farther and further.
So again, congratulations!!!
Thank you, Amine! It’s nice to get advice from somebody who went through this and came out from it successfully. Here’s to moving forward!
Wow, bummer that it had to come as a shock but I think you’re already in the right mindset – this is probably a good springboard to bigger and better things (and yay for good security nets)!
Yep, it was definitely a shock, but after a few days to think about it, I’m pretty sure I’m going to be OK.
Eek! How stressful! But glad to hear that you’re being positive and rational about it all. With how proactive you are, I’m sure you’ll soon be stressing about ramping up for something new 🙂
A bit stressful, yes! But luckily, things are already starting to look a little better. For something bad to happen, this was probably the best time for it. It’s not terrible by any means.
Sorry to hear about your job, but it sounds like you have the best possible attitude toward the situation. Change can be pretty exciting, and it seems like you have some great options. Best of luck!
Thank you so much, Kirstie! I’m actually looking forward to some changes and hoping they’ll be for the better. Fingers crossed!
Jessica, that sucks. Very sorry that you got some bad news, but I love how you’re looking at it. These things have strange ways of leading to new successes and new opportunities. Sometimes they give you the freedom to dive into things that really make you come alive. Best of luck!
Thanks, John! It’s actually OK, as far as bad news goes. Like you said, I’m hoping it leads to some interesting new opportunities.
Mucho animo, Jessica! Such an unexpected turn of events would throw anyone off. Luckily, as you point out, you haven’t lost your career. Here’s to a few months off to regroup, and then on to something even better!
Gracias! It’s thrown me off a bit, but I’m genuinely not sad – it just means the next thing is coming sooner than I expected.
Aw, so sorry to hear, but you’ve got the right frame of mind to take this time to regroup and take a step in the direction you want to go in. Sending you lots of ánimo!!
Thanks, Cat! Taking some time to regroup is actually much-needed right now, so this isn’t the end of the world.
Hi! Oh my…I give you props for even blogging about it! There’s always teaching English all over Barcelona of course. That’s if you’re starving, and it’s easy money if you just want to do conversation and have some immediate tasks to make you feel productive. Have you tried LinkedIn? There seems to be a lot going on there. Hey, this job too for example: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/12031544?trk=jobs_home_click_jymbii&refId=2baaa719-1891-453e-8618-b5566e49edff We Americans are good at creating our own opportunities…hone in on that!
Oh cool, thank you SO much for the link! I figure teaching English is a backup plan if nothing goes right – which isn’t too bad. Hopefully something turns up soon!
I’m really sorry to hear that you have lost your job, but it’s also great to see that your a ‘glass half full’ kind of girl. Your positivity in hard times is really inspiring! I hope that you figure out what you want to do eventually, but as you say, you don’t have to stick with anything forever. Enjoy being young, the best of luck to you. Clare x
Thanks, Clare! Haha I’m hoping I figure it out eventually too, but this at least is a step in the right direction.
I’m sorry to hear about your job, but it sounds like you’re taking the changes in stride and not allowing the unexpected change to keep you from moving forward. My mom always tell me, “When one door closes, another one opens.” This seems to be one of those cases. It may just take a little time for that next door to open.
That’s how I’m taking it. And even if the next door takes a while to open, European unemployment benefits are good enough that I can get by in the meantime with a bit of work.
Cheer up! Loosing a job is not that bad as it sounds, I’ve been in that position for at least four times, and everytime like you said, helped me to re-evaluate my career, my options and what I wanted to do in my life, and although, in my case it took several times and years to realize what I wanted to do, at least I did it; I know people who spend years in a job, get used to it (even though they don’t like it, the financial stability doesn’t let them quit), and then realize they never wanted to do that, their job makes them feel miserable but they’re at a point in their lifes they can’t do anything else (because of age, kids, etc.). You’re young, and there are still many good options coming ahead, so see this as a new brad opportunity for starting fresh!
Yes, that’s definitely the upside – I’m not going to be spending years in a job I know isn’t the right fit long-term. Thank you for the advice! It’s always nice to hear from someone who’s been there.
Ahrgh, what an unpleasant surprise 🙁 You have a good set of options, sure, but you probably much prefer initiating a change in direction yourself rather than having it sprung on you like this. I know I do!
Well, good luck, and keep us posted…
Exactly – I would have preferred to choose when to leave, rather than have it chosen for me. But at least it happened at a job I knew I was going to leave at some point.
Ugggggg so sorry to hear you got laid off the other day :/ That has to be super stressful and a major bummer. But it sounds like you’ve got a good social safety net to keep you afloat until you find your next gig, plus you have a good head on your shoulders. Ánimo!!!!!!!!
PS I’m really looking forward to watching your Let’s Go videos! 🙂
Thanks, Trevor! They’re being edited as we speak. 🙂 And the job thing is a little stressful, but thankfully Spain’s unemployment stuff is great. I got it all done this morning!
Last month I attended to a speech about being succesful in terms of business. The speaker told us that the people who have a succesful in business have a common point: they had a crisis.
Crisis are essential in our lives because you need change after it and you create news goal, it is true that losing a job is always a bad new but you are young and you deserve something better. you are positive and I thinkt that you will the job and life that you deserve. good luck
Thank you for sharing that, Miguel – it’s so helpful to know that lots of people have had a crisis turn into something good. Fingers crossed!
…¡Ánimo, chica!–I know losing your job sucks, but it’s not the end of the world: You’re still breathing, you’re vibrant, and you’ve got people in your corner (including me)!!…
It’s like what those verses from Ecclesiastes say: “There is a season for everything”–this is just a season, dear!!…
Gracias, Betty! It’s definitely not the end of the world, and thanks for being in my corner. 🙂
Having been laid off once myself, I totally relate to what you’re going through. It can definitely be a scary situation, but it can also be a fantastic opportunity, just like you said. I used my severance package to do some traveling and then found a job in a different industry. Good luck!
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Heather! That’s pretty much exactly what I’m planning to do – travel, and then find a job that’s a better fit. Not a bad way to spend a few months. 🙂
Oh shit! That sucks. But you’re a creative type you’ll be fine! Did you find anything else yet?
Yeah…not the best news to get! But I’ve got a very part-time thing plus unemployment to tide me over until the next big thing pops up. It’s not the end of the world. Thanks for the vote of confidence!
Excellent way of seeing things! So many people would think it is the end of the world when they lose a job, but it really is just another start to a new phase of your life, and it is completely up to you what path that is.
That’s true! Here’s to the next phase…whatever that ends up being. 😀
I’m sorry to hear you lost your job (welcome to Spain) but as you said it yourself it’s not the end of the world! You can take this as an opportunity to go back to school or start travelling…and the “paro” you will get will help for sure 🙂
Yes, thank goodness for the paro! 😀 It’s such a life-saver.
Sorry to hear that you lost your job – it’s really sad how much a business can rely on Google – and one swipe a whole business can go down the drain. Hopefully it all works out for you 🙂
Thanks, guys! I’ve got my fingers crossed. 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing this post! I love when bloggers share both the good and the bad! Sometimes we make our lives look all glamorous, but it’s important to remember that we’re all just normal people living life! It’s so inspiring how positive and optimistic you are staying through all of this! With that attitude, this is sure to only be a bump in the road that will lead to something bigger and better! Love the Breaking Bad reference, but I’m sure you can avoid that situation 😉
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Lauren! I’m trying really hard to stay optimistic, and I’m pretty sure this is just a bump in the road too. 🙂
Aaaah I’m so sorry to hear this! But I love your confidence and upbeat attitude! It will all work out, and you’re 100% correct about yourself! All the luck xx
Thank you, Sarah! It’s much appreciated 🙂
I’m so sorry you lost your job Jessica! Moving abroad is such a risk and one of the hardest things for me has been the precariousness of, well, everything! And here in Italy la crisis isn’t much better than in Spain. Though now I have a job, it’s really not a given – last year I knew that my contract would be renewed two days before the start of school and had a contract a month after I had already started (talk about risk!). I hope your TV program goes well and if you decide to travel to Milan in the meantime, let me know! ;D
Oh how stressful to not get your contract renewed until 2 days before! That sort of stuff happens a lot here too, and you’re right – the instability of living abroad can be REALLY stressful. I’ll let you know if I end up in Milan, I still haven’t made it over to Italy and am desperate to. 🙂
“REALLY authentic Spanish experience now” <- Literally the most positive reaction to unemployment I've ever heard in my life – probably one of the funnest as well.
Good luck with the "Let's Go", and whatever other project you settle on alongside that. At last it's more time for blogging and exploring!
Thanks for the well wishes! I’m pretty hopeful that things are going to be OK. Fingers crossed!
I’m sorry to hear you lost your job. Unfortunately in Barcelona, many people have lost their job, so you’re not really alone.
The good thing is that Barcelona has a very interesting technology hub going on and it’s not that difficult to find a job in IT-related businesses. I don’t know what’s your background, I work in an IT company and I would be glad to help!
Thanks very, very much for the kind support and the offer! I don’t do anything IT related – I mostly do writing and translation work.
Ah man! Last summer just when I thought all was going relatively well during a normal scheduled meeting, I know something was up when my boss was super serious, didn’t take her sunglasses off and then dropped the news, “I have to lay you off.” I was stunned but deep down knew it must mean something better was awaiting for me since it wasn’t my decision…
Well, it lead me back to Basque Country, back to teaching and figuring out other possibilities 🙂
Seems now you’ve worked it out falling into freelancing 🙂