From Six-Figure Income to Mid-Career Unemployment: My Story
Hello everyone, I'm NONO. Yes, I've been laid off. Previously, I worked as a business consultant at a multinational corporation. Last month, I suddenly received the news that my position was being eliminated. I see this as a potential turning point in my life, not with despair, but rather as a gift from above. I'll share my layoff process, reflections, and future plans. If you're interested, please like and subscribe to support me.
The Reality of Layoffs
We've all become accustomed to the recent wave of layoffs. Many of my friends have been affected, and I constantly hear news about job cuts. I was mentally prepared for the possibility due to the challenging macroeconomic conditions. However, when it actually happened to me, I was still surprised.
Why It Was Unexpected
My performance had consistently been strong. Achieving my level within the company at my age was quite rare. Just last year, I was nominated for a global women's leadership award. Despite the broader economic challenges, the feedback I received was very positive, my abilities were recognized, and I was entrusted with critical projects and even prepared for a rotation to the US this year. This led to a false sense of security that I was indispensable. My colleagues were shocked, joking that it was like "cutting off a major artery" because of the important projects I was involved in.
The Layoff Process
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Initial Sign: I usually had routine one-on-one meetings with my boss.
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The Invitation: While on vacation, I inquired about our scheduled meeting. He didn't respond initially, but later sent a private meeting invitation to a specific conference room, noting its importance and necessity. The invitation was unusual, as it included other unmentioned people, sparking suspicion.
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Realization: I suspected what was happening and cut my vacation short.
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The Meeting: Upon entering the meeting room, HR was already present. My boss joined online. After brief greetings, he began reading a prepared statement about global economic changes, company strategy adjustments, and the elimination of my role. The speech was long and filled with corporate jargon. The HR representative also seemed eager to expedite the process.
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Next Steps: After what felt like an eternity, HR discussed the severance package.
Severance and Options
If you're interested in the details of the severance package, please like or leave a comment. I'll dedicate a separate video to that topic. The company offered alternative positions within the organization. I didn't make a decision immediately, as the news was sudden, and I wanted to gather information.
My Decision
I spent a day researching the layoff policy, the severance package, and consulting with a lawyer. The conclusion was that the offered severance was above the legal maximum. Pursuing legal action as a permanent employee was unlikely to yield a better outcome and would involve significant time and effort. I decided not to continue working for the company. I ensured a smooth transition by properly arranging my projects to ensure their continued success, since I view them as my "children."
Reflections on My Career
My decision not to work for the company was not based on anger. I am grateful for the opportunities and professional development provided by all the companies I've worked for. They gave me excellent professional education. I grew a lot and met many excellent and kind colleagues and friends, and gradually understood how the world works.
However, I realized I felt confined within a beautiful music box. While outwardly appearing successful, I felt increasingly dissatisfied. I began questioning the value I was bringing to the world, often finding it negligible. There were differences in judgement between myself, my managers and overall direction. Moreover, I've often found that some decisions made by company leaders or strategies ultimately prove to be flawed. I'm conscious of time, and felt like mine was being wasted. That's why I decided not to continue working for that company, or likely any company, because it is important to spend my time on things that I find valuable. I want to do what I believe is right and valuable.
Moving Forward
Having learned from past experiences, I believe I can offer valuable insights. If my experiences can provide you with insight, then that would make me happy. I will share my experiences and thoughts from my multinational work and life, helping to break down information barriers. I'll also share strategies for navigating unstable environments, increasing wealth, wisdom, and maintaining happiness. Feel free to suggest topics in the comments. My content will be based on my real experiences and observations.
Why Not Use AI?
I'm aware of the popularity of AI. While AI can generate content, even with human digital avatars, quickly, I believe it lacks warmth, at least for the time being. Additionally, AI generates content based on past data, which I consider is a general collection of past events. In these uncertain times, we need present and future based information. I hope to have more open, friendly conversations while providing valuable content.
My Goal
My goal is to reach 1,000 subscribers within a month. I hope you can help me achieve this and join me in exploring life's possibilities. Thank you, and see you in the next video!