Exit interview
So today I was laid off, along with 550 other people, in Sapient's third round of layoffs. Actually, I've been given the option of continuing to work for them for another month, so although I was laid off, I won't really be unemployed until the end of March.
I have a hard time really assimilating this information. I haven't been let go from a job in 15 years, and after seven years at Sapient, it's kind of hard to imagine not having the security and confidence and comfort that went with it. I guess I'm still somewhat in shock, although the layoffs weren't a surprise, and I'd been ready for it for some time. It's just going to be a radical change, and I'm really not so good at big changes... especially when it cuts to the core of my self-worth, as this does. Not, mind you, that I think my being laid off had to do with performance, but instead my being at Sapient really bolstered my self-image.
Practically, I should be fine. Although I've got a mortgage and the job market sucks right now, my severance will keep me going into August without having to tap my savings. Furthermore, I have a good deal of savings around, and none of that even includes unemployment insurance, either. So in that sense I'll be fine.
My biggest concern is when I re-enter the job market, how I'll sell myself. The problem there is that I've moved out of the technical realm, but haven't got enough experience to land a job on the creative side. So it's going to be a bit of a selling and positioning job when I finally do get a resume together. And, for the first time, a portfolio, as well!
Looking back at Sapient, it certainly was a great job. It taught me a lot, and was very financially rewarding, and I got to work with a huge number of really great people. And, of course, it helped me make the transition from systems and database programmer to site designer. The big downside was really the workload, but even that wasn't so bad much of the time.
But now it's all history, and I need to look forward. From here, I really don't know what the future will hold for me. About all I can say is that I will take some time and enjoy life through the summer. The job market is really bad, and I'll need to find something that I can do which will be in demand, but I can wait a little while for that. I'm just hoping that I can find something that keeps me on the edge of technology and creative, because that's really what I enjoy most. And hopefully my next step will give me as much security and growth as I experienced at Sapient.
But now it's time for a little break, and then a big change.