[mortenjorck]

> Do you not have a network of people you can ask for work?

This always used to be my lifeline. 2022 was the fourth layoff of my career, and each of the three previous times, someone I'd worked with previously got me in the door at their new place, and I had a job again within a month.

This time, I've had at least half a dozen direct referrals from former coworkers, and only one has even gotten me to a hiring manager interview. Brutal doesn't even begin to describe it.

As a consolation, I've gotten a bit of freelance work through my network, but since that reduces unemployment benefits, it doesn't really help pay the bills so much as it helps support my mental health.