(not my post, i am resharing) I was laid off from Citi after eight years, literally the day after returning from vacation. I was completely blindsided.
What struck me the most was that I had a master’s degree and years of experience in my field, while four of my colleagues had only high school diplomas and had been with the company for over 20 years. Many had landed in technology roles through reorganizations and internal connections, despite having little to no prior experience in the field. Not that there’s anything wrong with learning on the job, but it was frustrating to realize that my education, experience, and qualifications ultimately meant very little.
I was also one of the more junior employees on the team and knew I was making less than everyone else. I genuinely thought that made my position relatively secure if layoffs ever came. Clearly, I was wrong.
Unfortunately, that’s corporate America. My advice to anyone working at a large corporation is to save your money, build your financial security, and never assume a company will provide you with a career for life. Loyalty and hard work don’t necessarily guarantee job security.
One thing I will say is that you’re fortunate they gave you several months’ notice. I had absolutely no warning. It took me nearly a year to find another permanent position. About eight months into my unemployment, I landed a consulting role that lasted a couple of months, but it wasn’t until around the one-year mark that I finally secured something permanent.
My biggest criticism of Citi is that it’s an enormous institution that, in my opinion, has become far too reliant on restructuring and cutting employees to improve its bottom line rather than genuinely innovating. You can only cut your way to profitability for so long.
I’m genuinely sorry you’re going through this. I know firsthand how frustrating and discouraging it can be, especially after giving a company so many years of your life. My advice is to keep applying, and don’t overlook smaller banks. In my experience, they can offer more stability and may be less prone to the constant restructuring you see at larger institutions.
Wishing you the best of luck. Just remember, losing that job doesn’t diminish your experience, your abilities, or what you bring to the table. If there’s one thing my experience taught me, it’s that you should always prioritize your own future over a company’s loyalty to you.
22 hours ago by Anonymous | 19 reactions (+19/-0) | Reply
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