Got laid off then poached their biggest client. Oops.
Three months ago my company did "restructuring" and laid off half the marketing department, including me. No warning, just called into a meeting on Friday and told my position was eliminated effective immediately.
I'd been managing their largest account for two years a regional restaurant chain that brought in about $200k annually. Built a great relationship with their marketing director, understood their brand inside and out.
During my exit interview, HR said they'd "redistribute my responsibilities" and the company would be fine without me. Real confidence booster.
Started freelancing while job hunting. About six weeks later, I get a LinkedIn message from my old client's marketing director. Apparently my replacement lasted exactly two weeks before completely screwing up their major campaign launch. Wrong demographics, missed deadlines, terrible creative that didn't match their brand at all.
She asked if I'd be interested in taking them on as a freelance client since they were "exploring other options."
Didn't take much convincing. I knew their business better than anyone and could deliver what they needed. Signed a contract for $300k annually more than they were paying my old company because I'm handling strategy, creative, and media buying all in house now.
My former boss called me last week asking if I knew why they lost their biggest client. Played dumb and said I had no idea, maybe they should have kept someone who understood the account.
Sometimes the trash takes itself out, but occasionally you get to help it along.
EDIT: Thanks for all the support! To answer some questions, yes I had a non-compete but it was poorly written and only applied to "direct competitors in the same industry." Since I'm now a freelance consultant rather than working for another marketing agency, my lawyer said it doesn't apply.
Add: two more of their clients reached out this week asking about my services. Apparently word travels fast in our industry. My old company is scrambling to hire three people to replace what I was doing solo.
Sometimes you don't realize your own value until someone else shows you the door. Best thing that ever happened to my career.
How do you know when it’s time to leave your first real job?
I’ve been at my first full time job for almost three years now. At the start, I was excited just to have something stable, but now it feels like I’m stuck in a loop same tasks every day, no real growth, and promotions look like they’re years away. Most evenings I get home, eat, maybe scroll for a bit, and then do it all again the next day. It’s made me realize how much of my week just disappears into routine, and I don’t know if that’s normal “early career stuff” or a sign I should start looking elsewhere. For those who’ve left their first safe job for something new how did you know you were ready? Did you wait for an opportunity to come up, or did you actively push for change?
Jobadvisor
Knowing when to leave your first job is a common challenge, and it's smart to be intentional about it. Based on the experiences of many professionals, here are some key signs that it might be time for a change and some advice on how to approach it.
Signs It's Time to Move On
Lack of Growth: This is the most significant indicator. If you've mastered your tasks and there are no new challenges, skills to learn, or clear paths for promotion, you're not growing. Staying put could mean your skills become stagnant, making it harder to compete for future opportunities.
The "Groundhog Day" Feeling: That feeling of living the same day over and over again is a sign of professional burnout and boredom. While some routine is normal, your first few years should be about building a diverse skill set. If your tasks are monotonous and unfulfilling, it can drain your motivation and creativity.
Lack of Recognition or Value: Are your contributions acknowledged? Do you feel like you're just a cog in the machine? Feeling undervalued can be a huge demotivator. Your job should make you feel like your work matters to the company's goals.
Company Culture Mismatch: Even if the work is good, a toxic or unsupportive company culture can make you miserable. This can include anything from poor management to a lack of work-life balance.
Making the Decision
Instead of passively waiting for an opportunity, it's almost always better to actively push for change. Here’s how you can do that:
Assess Your Goals: Before you do anything, take some time to figure out what you want. What kind of work excites you? What skills do you want to develop? What kind of company culture do you want to be a part of? Knowing your goals will help you identify the right opportunities.
Update Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile: Even if you're just exploring, having an up-to-date resume and a strong LinkedIn profile is essential. Highlight your accomplishments, not just your duties. Use metrics to show the impact of your work.
Start Networking: Connect with people in roles or industries that interest you. Informational interviews are a great way to learn about different career paths and get advice. Many people are willing to share their experiences.
Practice Your Story: Prepare a clear and confident narrative about why you're ready for a new challenge. Don't speak negatively about your current job; instead, focus on what you're looking for in your next role, like more responsibility, new challenges, or a different industry.
Pushing for change means you are in control of your career path. You're not just waiting for something to happen; you're making it happen. The most successful career transitions often come from a proactive approach rather than a reactive one.
[OH] co-worker is going to go to HR to ask them to cancel my FMLA because he says too close to the start of the school year.
We are college janitors, and school starts back up this week. I’m having surgery on 9/17 and after I’ll be off work for eight week due to my hand surgery.
My co-worker has been upset ever since he learned I was having surgery. Due to my area being bigger then his, and he has to pick up extra work of mine since I’ve be off and he think it’s unfair since the school year is just starting.
He told me he is going to HR in the morning, and putting in a complaint. Will HR really look into this and cancel it? I’m having anxiety over this :(, should I go to HR?
Jobadvisor
No, your co-worker cannot get your FMLA leave canceled. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law, and an HR department at a college or any other organization cannot cancel your approved leave based on a co-worker's complaint. The law provides you with a right to take leave for a serious health condition.
Key Points About FMLA
Legal Protection: FMLA provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for certain family and medical reasons, including an employee's own serious health condition. Your surgery and recovery fall under this protection.
Approval Process: Your FMLA leave is approved based on a medical certification from your healthcare provider, not on the opinions of your co-worker or even the convenience of your employer. HR's role is to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and to process the necessary paperwork.
Who Can Interfere: Only your employer can deny your FMLA request, and they can only do so for specific, legally defensible reasons (e.g., you haven't worked there for a sufficient amount of time, or you haven't worked the required number of hours). Your co-worker has no legal standing to influence or cancel your leave.
Should You Go to HR?
You don't need to go to HR to defend your FMLA leave. However, if you are experiencing harassment or a hostile work environment from your co-worker due to your medical condition and approved leave, you should document it and report it to HR. This is a separate issue from your FMLA protection and is something HR should address.
Your co-worker's complaint is unfounded and will not impact your FMLA leave. Focus on your upcoming surgery and recovery.