7 Months Unemployed, Here’s Everything I Learned And How I Got My New Job

Seven months ago, I got laid off without any warning.

One day, I was in meetings like everything was normal, and the next, I had an invite with HR at 4:30pm and left the day without a job, severance, or anything.

I had no idea how to navigate the open waters of unemployment. No backup plan, no roadmap. All I had was me, my resume, and a lot of anxiety/uncertainty about what was next.

Fast forward to now: I finally landed a new role, and it’s a huge relief to look forward to working this coming Monday!

But those seven months taught me a lot about resilience, humility, and what it really takes to keep going when the job market feels impossible.

If you’re heading into 2025 without a job, I get it—it’s tough out there. I wanted to share some of the biggest lessons I learned to help you navigate this wild ride.

The Big Lesson: Be Ready to Rethink What “Moving Up” Looks Like

I just accepted a role that pays $10k less than my previous job. If you had told me back in June that I’d take a pay cut, I’d have laughed. Back then, I thought my next role had to be a step up. Bigger paycheck, better title, the whole package.

But as the months went on and rejections piled up, I realized I might need to adjust my expectations. The reality is, the market is brutal right now. And sometimes, taking a step back in pay is the move that keeps you moving forward.

Here’s How I Got Through It

1. Start with a Clear Head (as much as possible)Losing a job sucks. It’s emotional, frustrating, and honestly, unfair. But after those first few weeks of wallowing (totally allowed, by the way), I had to refocus. Job searching is a job in itself, and staying mentally clear made a huge difference.
2. Don’t Lead with Salary ExpectationsWhen recruiters asked about my expected salary, I started saying, “I’m open and would love to discuss this once I’ve learned more about the role.” That flexibility helped me avoid getting cut early in the process.
3. Negotiate Beyond the PaycheckI didn’t get the salary I wanted, but I was able to lock in an extra week of vacation time. Small perks can make a big difference, so don’t forget to ask for what matters to you.
4. Find Growth in Unexpected PlacesThe job I accepted isn’t my dream job, it’s a stepping stone, and I’m okay with that now. It offers stability, growth opportunities, and a chance to sharpen my skills. That’s enough for now, and I’m excited to see where it leads. (+ its better than not having anything!)

One thing that I noticed is although I applied A LOT in the beginning, I wasn’t hearing back as much as I’d expect.

The biggest change I made was customizing my resume and writing cover letters for every single role. It was a total pain in the ass, but with all the tools out there now, it’s not as hard as it used to be, and definitely worth it.

If you’re still in the trenches, here are some tools and resources that might help:

• Interview Study: Practice mock interviews and prep for those final rounds.
• Simplify Job Board: A great platform to find remote tech jobs.
• Fishbowl & Glassdoor: Research salary ranges in your area and specific companies.
• ApplyHero AI: Automatically finds jobs, customizes your resume and cover letter for each one, and even submits the applications for you.

If you’re staring down 2025 without a job, don’t stress.

I hope my story reminds you that you’re not alone and gives you the encouragement to keep pushing forward.

You’ve got this. Make 2025 a good one.