From Layoff to Leap of Faith: Finding Light in Career Adversity
Melanie Mitchell Wexler
Career Coach - Empowering Mid to Executive-Level Professionals to Achieve Purpose-Driven Career Transitions | Resume, LinkedIn?, Job Search & Interview Specialist | Former Recruiter
The holidays can be a challenging time for job seekers. I know this because I’ve been there. Exactly seven years ago, TODAY, the Thursday before Thanksgiving, I was laid off from my job.
I saw the signs, but hearing the words made it real. Clutching my purse to hold back tears, I felt the weight of that moment. That year had already been one of the toughest in my career. After leaving another role earlier that year, I thought I had found "the one"—a job that would stabilize my life as a single mom, working for a female CEO who promised big things.
It all fell apart. By the holidays, I was broke, depressed, and feeling like I had failed as a parent. My daughter got one present that Christmas, and we spent the season in a dreary apartment, unable to fly home to family. It felt like the lowest point of my career and life.
Out of necessity, I started writing resumes for extra cash. I didn’t think of it as a business—just survival. One client turned into another, and little by little, I saw the sunlight breaking through the clouds. That January, I took what little money I had, and invested the $69 for a LinkedIn Premium membership. That investment was risky, and from there I began building what is now my business.
By February, I landed another job, but it didn’t last long. In June of 2018, I was laid off again but this time it was different. See I had still been doing this little side business (digging myself out of my hole just to be standing on some firm ground). This time around, still scared, I was more prepared and decided to lean into my side hustle.
Looking back, what got me through those dark times wasn’t just perseverance—it was gratitude.
Here’s What Helped Me Push Through:
If you’re job searching this holiday season, I want you to know you’re not alone. There is light on the other side of adversity, even when it feels far away.
Call to Action:
If this story resonates with you, I’d love to help you take that next step. Whether you need a polished resume, LinkedIn guidance, or just a strategy to navigate this challenging time, let’s connect.
Schedule a free discovery call here: https://bit.ly/3Lj7DQm Or share what you’re grateful for in the comments—I’d love to hear how you’re staying positive during your career journey.
Remember, even in the hardest seasons, gratitude and resilience can pave the way forward. You’ve got this.
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Melanie Mitchell Wexler thank you for sharing your story and your gifts. Congratulations on your pivot and forging ahead to craft the space where you are thriving.
Career Coach / Resume & LinkedIn Profile Writer - Helping executives and mid-career professionals advance their careers for 20+ years.
10 小时前Thanks for sharing your experience, Melanie Mitchell Wexler. I landed one of the best corporate jobs I ever had the week b4 Thanksgiving. I was one of only two employees on my floor that worked on the Friday after Thanksgiving. The other person and I both thought we were the only ones there until we turned the corner and bumped into each other in the hall and scared the daylight out of one another. It was too funny.