I became unemployed at the peak of my career, at the age of 36, after having been promoted every year and highly valued and regarded within the firm.

At the end of 2023, the company began laying off staff globally. Over 20 mid-level managers in Vietnam, including myself and my direct supervisor, were cut. It was a huge shock and a stressful experience, as I had to support my child, who had been studying at a private international school, and was about to welcome another child, all amid the high cost of living in HCMC.

After calming down, I applied for over 20 positions at various companies and interviewed day and night. Unfortunately, I was rejected at the final stage each time. It was very discouraging.

I motivated myself to focus on learning about modern apps and artificial intelligence, updating my knowledge of changes in industry regulations, and reflecting on the projects I had worked on but never had time to look back on.

The nearly 30 interviews with human managers and company directors also taught me valuable lessons.

Each rejection stung, but I knew I had to stay focused on taking care of my family. Fortunately, my financial situation was manageable since we had no debt.

The next shock came when I finally landed a job, only to be laid off after a few months due to conflicts with the newly hired CEO. However, with persistence, I eventually secured another position that aligned with my professional skills.

There are three lessons I learned from losing my job in middle age.

First, middle-aged individuals should have savings set aside for unexpected situations. In my opinion, having enough to cover an average of six months’ living expenses is a good benchmark.

Second, it is crucial to understand that nothing lasts forever. You may be the star employee of a company today, but tomorrow you could be irrelevant. This is a natural part of life. Past achievements may lose their value over time, or they may no longer justify the high salary you earn. This is why it is important to continually invest in your skills and personal growth.

Third, family serves as an essential support system. During my most challenging and disappointing moments, my family was always there to help me. Ultimately, all difficulties are temporary, and home remains my safe haven.

*This opinion was translated into English with the assistance of AI. Readers’ views are personal and do not necessarily match Read’ viewpoints.