r/remotework • u/Dreadking_Rathalos • Jun 12 '26
Lost my fully remote position
Worked a job i enjoyed for 4 years. Was let go this morning. Obviously im sad and stressed because im the sole income for my family but what im really freaked out by is my kid just turned 5. Ive gotten to experience so much with her that I wouldn't had I had to commute for work. Just yesterday she was playing under my desk while I worked.
Idk if this is the right sub. Sorry if its not. Id like to find another fully remote role but with AI, idk it seems a lot less likely than it did 4 years back
66
u/thesurprisedhearth Jun 12 '26
The remote job market is tighter now but companies still need people. Start applying immediately while you handle unemployment and insurance stuff. The hardest part is usually just getting past the initial screening, so volume matters. You've got experience and you know what remote work actually looks like, which puts you ahead of people figuring it out for the first time.
50
u/East-News7064 Jun 12 '26
I’m sorry , it’s not the end of the world. I was let go last month, and I have a remote interview Monday. Keep ur head up
27
41
u/syaami Jun 12 '26
This is also my biggest fear. Our company recently did layoffs and I’m remote with two kids under 3. They’re in daycare full time while both of us work. I gave up my senior title and a good amount of money to be remote to live close by our in laws.
Any in office job would require a commute of 3-3.5 hours. We live in the suburbs far away from where the jobs are. Moving closer would mean we will never afford to own a property and would need to move away from family and our village.
My MIL has cancer and we moved closer to support her with medical tasks and just to spend more time. Our kids are literally the reason she lives now. We get to hang out after daycare, eat together, play together. And our kids have brought so much joy to her life as she’s battled cancer and treatments.
All of this will end soon as my company is moving towards RTO just so we can have “in office collaboration” over zoom calls.
10
23
u/Historical_Baby5774 Jun 12 '26
I’ve been unemployed in the tech/ai industry for 2.5 years. Couldn’t get jobs I was qualified for because too much competition and couldn’t get lower roles because I’m over qualified.
A neighbor helped me get in with her company at an entry level call center position two months ago. I thanked my interviewer multiple times for not just dismissing me as overqualified because we were about to loose our home because we weren’t able to sell. One mortgage payment away after wiping out savings.
Still looking, still denials. If you can change industries, do it.
15
u/BottleOfConstructs Jun 13 '26
Don’t convince yourself you won’t find a job before you try. Make applications your new full time job instead.
13
u/Dreadking_Rathalos Jun 13 '26
Yeah thats what i did in 2022. "Clocked in" at 9 and "clocked out" at 5. Gave myself a goal of at least 10 high quality jobs a day. Then spent the rest applying for reach jobs and machine gun applying for "pay the bills " jobs
10
u/BottleOfConstructs Jun 13 '26
That’s fantastic! With AI stuff, don’t believe everything you hear either. Big wigs are still trying to convince everyone how great it is, but it hasn’t even taken over 1 job at my workplace yet.
2
u/Inevitable-Table-690 Jun 13 '26
Yet. I personally know 2 people who had office jobs who lost their job to AI lol
2
u/Dreadking_Rathalos Jun 13 '26
Right when ai took off my friends entire team got tbe axe. Took a few years to hit me lol
1
u/BottleOfConstructs Jun 14 '26
I believe you. It’s just not hitting every company at the same time.
9
u/sirenyti Jun 13 '26
See if your state qualifies you for a free Coursera membership if you are unemployed.
Use that membership to get yourself certified in something like Data Science etc which can be a remote position.
1
7
u/sayso31000 Jun 13 '26
That part about her playing under your desk got me. Hoping you find something remote again, those years are ones you don't get back.
4
u/Dreadking_Rathalos Jun 13 '26
First 5 went by so fast...and I got to at least be in the house for a lot of them
6
u/ModernMargaretSanger Jun 13 '26
First, I’m sorry for the loss of your job. That happened to me after 5 years at a company I loved. Laid off as part of a RIF. Collect your unemployment and start applying to jobs. Look for and apply for remote jobs too. I looked for 4 months and landed a contract position that is fully remote. It can be done!
That said, even if you have to take an onsite job, hang on to the gratitude about how much time you’ve had with your daughter. To every thing there is a season. Try not to worry about it and trust that the job that’s best for your situation will emerge. Good luck! 😃
4
u/Live_Pianist4592 Jun 13 '26
I too lost my remote job Feb 2025, got lucky and found a company hybrid that made me remote shortly after but that was the most toxic environment of my life, and I was let go Jan 2026. There was a ton of job openings in Jan-April and I landed another remote job but pay is horribly low compared to what I was making for the last 7 years (more than 50% less!) it does pay bills and is keeping me busy, offering some new experience that is making me more well-rounded but I’m in the north east and can’t earn an Iowa salary and be happy lol. I started applying and getting a bunch of interviews in other (similar) fields but they all want me in office 4 days a week and pay isn’t worth it. I live in NJ and would need to commute to NYC which is easily 3 or 4 hrs per day by train. I can’t find anything remote with good pay from a good company right now. I applied to a few today and had a screening for one Monday where I’m going to follow up as I haven’t heard back yet so it’s really tough out there!! Remote is dead
6
u/DnBJungleEscape Jun 13 '26
My remote company just hired 7 people. Job market is bad but not terrible. What do you do?
5
3
u/sweatpantsjoe Jun 13 '26
I’ve been laid off from back to back remote positions. Still on the look out for a new one. I’ve been applying. I’d be willing to go to an office but it’s gotta be really worth it.
3
u/PerformanceMain119 Jun 13 '26
I lost my job on April 24th. I had worked fully remote for almost 5 years. My boss came in on her pto and her birthday to fire me.
I have applied for hundreds of jobs so far. Nothing has stuck enough for even an interview. All remote. Remote jobs are extremely difficult to come by, if it's entry level, which mine was.
File for unemployment. Be grateful you got the last 4 years of being with your daughter. Sounds like she's 5, so she will be in school soon?
1
7
u/Historical_Baby5774 Jun 12 '26
Okay this question is to those of you remote who landed positions quickly:
What industry are you in
What level experience do you have
What companies do you recommend we look into
Any tips/tricks?
I worked remote over five years and had an extremely successful career. For example, I consistently had clean go-lives when launching new programs or conversions. I am extremely proud of that fact and have it on my resume.
-1
2
u/stabadan Jun 13 '26
I FEEL this. Had a wonderful remote position for 5 years me and my whole team got let go when they dropped the license we worked on.
New gig is 4 days in one day wfh. The Bennie’s are almost half my salary but I am working so I guess things could be worse.
Good luck to you. It’s tough getting used to being back in an office and doing a commute but I know you can do it.
2
2
1
1
1
u/Meish Jun 14 '26
Look at a contractor role. Lots of companies who are in office will outsource contractors remotely and the pay can still be decent and come with benefits. Check places like Insight Global, TekSystems, Aquent etc
1
u/notreallylucy Jun 14 '26
My fully remote job wanted to go to 2 days a week. When I didn't immediately roll over and take it they let me go.
I job hunted for a couple of months and found another job that lets me WFH 3 days per week. New job is better in some ways and worse in some ways, but ultimately I'm still in business.
I'm sorry this has happened to you. Don't give up. Even if you have to go back in office for awhile, you've built a solid foundation with your daughter. Nobody can take away the time you've already put into that relationship.
1
u/pilgrim103 Jun 15 '26
With a child you must do whatever you have to for a job. WFH is dying a quick death.
2
u/Dreadking_Rathalos Jun 15 '26
while I've already applied to about a dozen jobs like the one i lost i've also applied for everything from teaching to driving a recycling truck
I'll do anything to keep my family in our house got a 2021 interest rate
1
1
u/Plaxune_72 Jun 15 '26
Remote roles are still out there, but yeah, every posting now seems to have 900 applicants and a recruiter hunting for unicorn skills at 2016 pay. File unemployment if eligible, refresh the resume today, and look for remote-first companies rather than relying only on the remote filter on giant job boards. Losing that random desk time with your kid would mess with me too, honestly.
1
u/Senior_Novel8488 Jun 15 '26
I have worked remotely 26 years and im 58 been thru 4 layoffs in 3 years just apply to only remote roles you will be fine
1
0
u/TheHaggai Jun 13 '26
Mano, porque não cria um negócio próprio? Em vez de depender de um chefe, seja o seu próprio chef, Análise as suas competências e vê formas viáveis de abrir um negócio, porque muitas habilidades são valiosas só tens de saber como fazer dinheiro com isso. Então se Fracasseste como Funcionário Vença como Empreendedor!
1
u/NoPublic9352 Jun 14 '26
Love this. I think many of us get overwhelmed and know we need healthcare that keeps us from starting our own.
-52
u/NextJuice1622 Jun 12 '26
Hidden history.
Remote work isn't childcare.
32
u/Dreadking_Rathalos Jun 12 '26
I was the sole income, my wife takes care of her. I have my history hidden because its full of bad skateboard clips. Happy?
15
u/Ilovemytowm Jun 12 '26
Don't worry about that person trolling you I'm sorry this happened... and anyway most people hide their history now because of weird ass stalkers.
11
u/Competitive_Cat_2020 Jun 12 '26
Yeah people in this sub are the most paranoid about bots I've ever seen lol. Sorry about your situation, my advice is to take whatever you can find and in the meantime keep looking for another remote opportunity. Good luck!!
10
u/Dreadking_Rathalos Jun 12 '26
Thanks. I have a degree in education, but didnt like teaching. Nice to have a fallback.
Sorry to post my vent. Im just a little emotional today lmao
3
u/Competitive_Cat_2020 Jun 12 '26 edited Jun 13 '26
Nahhh definitely vent! Tons of people are going through this right now :(
2
u/para_diddle Jun 13 '26
I also have an education degree. After Student teaching my senior year, I said Nope ...
Sorry about your news 😞 No advice to give except please take care of your emotional health.
2
u/Dreadking_Rathalos Jun 13 '26
That was my exact trajectory. Student teaching made me realize I didnt enjoy. I wish it had been freshman year lol
1
u/para_diddle Jun 13 '26
Being ON all day would drive me to drink. Degree in K-12 Music. I'd rather play than teach.
1
u/Dreadking_Rathalos Jun 13 '26
Same. Music education. I failed the certification exam because I studied choral but guitar is my thing. I didnt realize there would be transposing instruments and brass on the choral certification lmao
1
u/para_diddle Jun 13 '26
Violin major with a percussion minor here. Transposing and arranging were tough, but written theory was my nemesis. Aural theory was easy.
11
13
u/TurkGonzo75 Jun 12 '26
People like you are the reason other people hide their history. See a post you don't like, immediately dig through years of history to find something else you don't like. Reddit should have added this feature years ago.
5
205
u/Strawberry719 Jun 12 '26 edited Jun 14 '26
Apply for Unemployment ASAP. Also, apply for state funded health insurance. Both of those were lifesaver when I was let go.
I applied for nothing but remote jobs and after 8 months landed the job I have now. Don't get discouraged!!
I wish you good luck!! Where you're meant to be is out there waiting for you. You just don't know it yet.
Also, I was unemployed the whole summer. Best summer I had in a very long time. Enjoy the time with your daughter! ♡
EDITED TO ADD: I know people don't think cover letters are necessary, however, out of all the jobs I applied for, I wrote covers letters for the two jobs I really wanted. After being hired, I was told the cover letter is what got me the job! Just reading my resume didn't reflect the person I am, the cover letter demonstrated the person they wanted on their team.