Often it can lead to a feeling of a loss in purpose, identity, and social status. For me, work was an expression and extension of my identity.īeyond the monetary aspect, the shock from going from employed to unemployed was staggering. I was at a loss as to what I could do next. Without a stable financial source, it was a struggle to support my family as my wife was a home-maker and I had three school-going children.

It may have happened a decade ago, but that hurt still lingers whenever I think about it.Įverything came so fast while I was still grappling with the severity of the situation. That was the beginning of my hardship for a mature PMET as I was already in my late 40s. I was completely devastated as I thought I was on track to meet my performance targets and my ex-colleagues were some of the best people I ever worked with. While it’s interesting to see how affected workers these days are becoming more public with being laid off, I would like to offer some pointers in doing so, and what more one needs to do.įirst, here’s my story that hopefully will encourage those recently made jobless.Īfter spending 12 good years with Thomson Reuters in various front-and-back-end roles, I was retrenched as part of the global restructuring exercise some 10 years ago. The recent spate of tech lay-offs has jolted painful memories of my own retrenchment experience that I now put to good use as a career coach.

Choosy power jobs