I got laid off today, and I'm only 21...is this a big deal? I'm kind of embarrassed?

Question

I have been an executive assistant at this company for a year. The company is not doing well and are about to go through a second round of lay-offs. They laid a lot of people off last year, and then I was hired interestingly enough. My boss said it was no reflection of my performance, and he is willing to give me a good reference. I'm only 21, and I'm going back to school next week actually, so I'll need to look for another job during this stressful time... Is this a big deal? Will this look bad to future employers (because I think this would be an important job to add to my resume), or do they view a lay-off just as they would view someone deciding to change jobs?

And also, am I supposed to apply for unemployment? How does all of this work?

He also wants me to stick around for 2 more weeks...is that a pretty normal amount of time to stay after hearing that news?

I am having a really hard time picking the best answer!! You all have really helped me think through this, and I feel a lot better. Seriously, thanks to everyone.

Answer 1

First of all, you have nothing to be embarrassed about at all! I was laid off in May from a job I worked at for 7 years. I was an executive assistant at a very large, well-known corporation, and my boss loved me. Unfortunately, sometimes, this is just what corporations do - they make cuts. It has nothing to do w/your performance at the job, so believe your boss.

Second, potential employers will not look down upon you for being laid off. I found in my experience that almost all of them are sympathetic, and if you ask me, it sounds a lot better than you just quit, etc. There's not as much to explain. Anyhow, it didn't negatively affect my getting a new job at all. Most companies realize that tons of corporations do lay offs.

Yes, you should apply for unemployment. I filed online and got my first check w/in a couple of weeks. It will be for about half of what you brought home on your paycheck.

Good luck to you and I hope my answer helped.

I just wanted to add after reading other answers, that I would absolutely encourage you to file for unemployment! You have no idea how long it will take you to find a new job, and that will be money coming in. It really only took me a couple of weeks to get my first check, and I got about 4 and was only unemployed for 1.5 months. Definitely apply!

Answer 2

Unfortunately more and more companies are laying off. Where we thought having a job was a real secure thing, it isn't anymore. I am sure it is not a reflection of your work. And no, it will not look bad to future employers. Simply state on your application under reason for leaving 'company cutbacks' 'employee reductions' or something of that nature. Get the reference from your boss. That will help support the reason you were laid off.

I have never needed to file for unemployment, but am sure someone else here can answer that part, and you probably should as one never knows how long it will take to find another position.

Sticking around two more weeks isn't all that unreasonable but, if you don't, will your boss still give you the recommendation? If you need that time to look for other work, you might want to explain this to your boss.

~best of luck
~jennifer
Helping others create additional income from home through education of the system

Answer 3

As others have said layoffs are all part of the reality of present day work life. Bound to happen to everyone at least once -- it's happend to me twice in my life -- and shouldn't really reflect negatively on your future career aspirations. You're going back to school to go onto to do bigger and better things anyways, so this is just a bump in the road. Start networking and looking for a new job right away and I would disagree with others and most definitely apply for unemployment. You're eligible for unemployment if you have been let go for any reason beyond your control and don't feel embarassed about it because afterall you have been paying for it by way of taxes out of everyone of your paychecks. You will probably not get nearly as much payment as your regular paycheck, but more than likely you will get something and it will ease the financial burden while you're looking for new work. Once you find a new job you just stop applying for un-employment and you'll be fine. Good luck and don't worry about it too much as it will work out all for the best.

Answer 4

I"m not sure about the unemployment but the lay-off is no problem when future employers look at your work history. The fact that your current employer is willing to give you a good reference is a positive sign. The unemployment may be different in your area so I would check with your local offices.

Answer 5

You should apply for unemployment but immediately start looking for work. Don't feel embarrassed as you've done nothing wrong and future employers will understand.
What ever you do, do not sit at home on unemployment. It's important that you have the smallest amount of time between jobs as possible at your age. Apply everywhere you can as quickly as possible and get some momentum going.

Answer 6

Getting laid off is no big deal at all (unless it's about the fifth time within a short period). Apply for unemployment, but in many states you must be available for full time work to collect. Check with other people in your state who have been laid off and have collected unemployment. Then, just go anyhow and see what they have to say.

By all means go back to school. That's the most important thing you can do for yourself.

Good luck!

Answer 7

if you were laid off thru no fault of your own, then you should have no problem collecting unemployment, and it's nothing to be embarassed about. I know the company I'm at; they're about to lay off a bunch of people come January. I may or may not be part of the bunch! Times are hard nowadays, especially with the economy being the way it is, but hang in there; you'll be ok.

Answer 8

Lay-offs are an unfortunate fact of life, and rarely look bad. Add the job to your resume, and when they ask you why you left, say you were laid off.

You don't have to apply for unemployment, but you might as well.

Answer 9

First, relax.

The fact that you were laid off isn't going to hurt your prospects of getting another job. Layoffs are part of economic reality and everyone knows that.

You can file for unemployment, but unless you're not working for an extended period of time, you probably won't get any benefits, since there's a delay. Unless you need the money to survive, I personally wouldn't file for unemployment. Especially since you planned to go back to school anyway.

Good luck with your job search.

Answer 10

Lots of people are laid off because of budgets. I personally know several and it seems like they are all embarrassed or saddened by it even though it's because there wasn't money. Most find jobs just fine though - especially ones that are competent - sounds like you are in that category.

Don't worry about it.