“I’ve been through a lot of reorganizations, mergers, and acquisitions, but I didn’t survive the last one.”

I’ve been through a lot of reorganizations, mergers, and acquisitions, but I didn’t survive the last one. Neither did a lot of my talented and dedicated colleagues. New leadership we never met made sweeping changes.

I spent a month or two sending resumes into the void. I agonized over custom cover letters and Q&As, all to hear nothing back. Even when I had interviews, I never heard that their search had concluded. I was even ghosted by someone who brought a job opportunity to me.

Now I’m much more selective about where I apply, and I’ve found freelance work through my network. It’s been great and kept me in the black, but I’m not saving money for retirement the way I need to be.