I Got Laid Off After 10+ Years in HR. Here’s What Corporate Taught Me
I never thought I’d be making this kind of video or writing this kind of post, but life has a way of forcing clarity onto you.
After working in Human Resources for over 10 years, I got laid off.
If you recently got laid off, or you are afraid it could happen to you, I want you to understand something I had to learn from both sides of the table.
And the ironic part?
I actually understood exactly why it happened.
When you work in HR long enough, you sit in rooms most employees never get access to. You hear conversations people only speculate about. You see how decisions are made behind the scenes, how restructuring happens, and how quickly “business needs” can override loyalty, tenure, or performance.
That doesn’t mean every company is evil. But it does mean that corporate America often runs on business logic before emotion.
That realization changes you.
For years, I dedicated myself to my career. I worked hard, climbed professionally, increased my income, and genuinely cared about the work I did. I wasn’t someone skating by doing the bare minimum. I loved HR. I loved helping people. I loved creating systems, solving problems, supporting employees, and making workplaces better where I could.
But being good at your job does not make you untouchable.
That is one of the hardest things to accept when you got laid off after years of doing good work.
And I think a lot of people are finally starting to realize that.
Got Laid Off? Watch the Full Video Below
One of the biggest misconceptions employees have is that job security comes purely from performance.
I wish it worked that way all the time.
Sometimes layoffs happen because of budgets.
Sometimes leadership changes.
Sometimes restructuring happens.
Sometimes companies simply decide to move in another direction.
And sometimes you can do everything “right” and still find yourself starting over unexpectedly.
That’s why I’ve become passionate about helping people think more strategically about their careers instead of emotionally attaching their entire identity to a company.
Because at the end of the day, corporations will always prioritize the survival of the business first.
That truth can feel harsh, but understanding it can also empower you.
It pushes you to:
- Diversify your income
- Build skills outside your job title
- Protect your mental health
- Think long-term
- Stop relying on one paycheck as your entire safety net
Ironically, getting laid off forced me into a level of clarity I probably would’ve never reached otherwise.
Instead of shrinking after this experience, I decided to pivot.
I’m building.
I’m creating.
I’m documenting the process in real time.
I’m sharing what I’ve learned after over a decade in HR, while also being honest about what rebuilding looks like emotionally, financially, and professionally.
Because people deserve transparency.
Too many professionals are silently struggling with:
- Burnout
- Layoffs
- Toxic workplaces
- Career confusion
- Fear about the future
And if my experience can help someone feel less alone or move smarter professionally, then this entire situation served a bigger purpose.
This next chapter is about ownership.
Ownership of my voice.
Ownership of my expertise.
Ownership of my future.
And honestly?
I don’t think I’m being punished.
I think I’m being redirected.
What I Wish More Employees Understood After Getting Laid Off
Getting laid off can make you question everything.
Your value.
Your choices.
Your loyalty.
Your future.
Your identity.
But getting laid off does not mean you failed. It means a company made a business decision, and now you have to make decisions that protect your life.
That is why I want more employees to stop waiting until a crisis to think strategically.
Keep your resume updated before you need it.
Track your wins while you are still employed.
Build relationships before you need referrals.
Learn skills that can move with you.
Create a plan that does not depend on one company keeping you forever.
Because once you got laid off, the lesson becomes very clear:
Your job can be part of your life, but it cannot be your entire safety net.
What I Wish More Employees Understood After Getting Laid Off
Getting laid off can make you question everything.
Your value.
Your choices.
Your loyalty.
Your future.
Your identity.
But getting laid off does not mean you failed. It means a company made a business decision, and now you have to make decisions that protect your life.
That is why I want more employees to stop waiting until a crisis to think strategically.
Keep your resume updated before you need it.
Track your wins while you are still employed.
Build relationships before you need referrals.
Learn skills that can move with you.
Create a plan that does not depend on one company keeping you forever.
Because once you get laid off, the lesson becomes very clear:
Your job can be part of your life, but it cannot be your entire safety net.
Explore My Career Resources & HR Insider Guides
If you’re navigating layoffs, toxic workplaces, career pivots, or trying to move smarter professionally, check out my resources below:
🔗 https://builtbynell.com/resources-2/
You can also join my email list for workplace strategy, HR gems, career insights, and future resources delivered directly to your inbox.
And if you’ve ever experienced a layoff, career setback, or moment where life forced you to pivot unexpectedly, trust me when I say this:
You are not done.
You’re rebuilding.
