#87: The Unemployment Diaries with Anjelica Rosa
From TV exec to Trader Joe’s and back again.
Laid Off Life is a place of respite for the weary workforce. Whether you’re unemployed, underemployed, or just trying to make it through the workday, let this be your 5-minute mental break from the grind of late-stage capitalism.
The Unemployment Diaries with Anjelica Rosa
If you’d like to be featured in The Unemployment Diaries in the future, email me at laidofflife@substack.com!
Meet Anjelica Rosa, former VP, Program Strategy & Acquisitions at Nick at Nite/Teen Nick. Consultant for Serial Maven Studios. I’m thrilled she agreed to share her Laid Off Life journey with us.
Tell us your layoff story.
I was laid off in 2023. I had been at Nickelodeon for 9 months, in a newly created position, on a newly created team. The perfect scenario for an ideal layoff candidate 🤦🏻♀️. On top of that, rumors were swirling about Paramount merging/selling the company, and many layoffs had preceded mine.
When the dreaded, impromptu meeting popped up on my calendar, I knew exactly what it was for. That particular round of layoffs impacted a quarter of the organization, so it was a lot of people. As prepared as I was, it still felt like a gut punch. I was good at my job, the team was thriving, our network was having three quarters of consecutive growth (which in a linear world is very hard to do nowadays), and our acquisitions were driving gains across the portfolio. Despite all that hard work, I was still cut along with many other talented colleagues who were making significant contributions. It’s a hard thing to wrap your head around, and unfortunately a persisting symptom of the industry’s struggles.
What was your initial reaction to being laid off, and how did you deal?
Honestly, my very first reaction was “Welp, that sucks.” Then I went into work mode, prepping my team on everything they needed to take over. I wanted them to succeed, and not feel overwhelmed after I was gone. After that came the hurt. My career was my identity. I was in the industry for almost 17 yrs at that point, doing the job I love to do, and went to school for. It took time to find out who I was without my career.
I had the fortune of taking some time to myself to reset, travel, do some soul-searching. I knew I had a hard journey ahead of me given the volatility in the industry, so I wanted time to mentally prepare. After that, I focused my energy on networking, connecting with new people, and nurturing relationships with people I already knew. It was hard to tell people I was laid off since I felt an inexplicable shame around it, but it was a necessary first step to let others know. Everyone I connected with was so supportive, empathetic, and willing to help. It was comforting to know I wasn’t alone in this.
On top of networking, I threw myself deep into volunteer work. I needed to keep busy, keep my skill set sharp, and still feel connected to my career somehow. I joined the FUTURE NOW Media Foundation, where I co-lead a marketing team, mentor undergrad and postgrad students, create data analyses, and help plan their annual conference. I also reached out to my alma mater, Iona University. I’ve been able to mentor students, do a few guest lectures/panels, and join the Dean’s Board as an advisor for their Mass Communications program. This has been the MOST rewarding part of this journey.
I also picked up a consulting gig. Landing a full time job has still proved very elusive and challenging, but I’m proud to be consulting with a start-up content studio called Serial Maven Studios. This came about from an informational with its CEO and Founder, Solange Attwood. It’s been an incredible experience to learn first hand the ins and outs of a Distribution business from its Founder. She has really taken me under her wing, and has been incredibly supportive in this journey.
What have you found to be the most challenging part of unemployment, both practically and emotionally?
The job hunt has been the most challenging. It’s literally a full time job in itself, and can be exhausting. The never ending cycle of networking, interviewing, receiving rejections or being ghosted can start to take its toll. Then the periods when there are no interviews or responses, you feel like you should be doing more. It’s a vicious cycle, and can be draining mentally, especially when you’re also trying to survive, and pay the bills.
What unexpected benefits or personal growth have you experienced during this time?
One of the biggest silver linings of this journey has been the people I’ve connected with along the way. Having a support system, whether it’s coworkers, new connections, fellow laid-offers, friends, family, is crucial. Having people advocate for me, and believe in me during times I struggled to believe in myself has helped me through the hardest days. The kind words, support, thoughtfulness, willingness to help, has meant more to me than they probably realize.
Please share any networking or job search tips that have been helpful for you.
I have so many! To narrow it down, these have been the most effective:
✅Informationals. Informationals have been the best way to get ahead of job postings, getting referrals, and learning how your skills could translate. And remember, informationals aren’t a one and done deal, nurture those relationships and send follow-ups.
✅Create a resume YOU feel confident about. I’ve gotten sucked down the rabbit hole of asking people to review my resume, and while their feedback has been helpful, it was becoming counter-productive. Resumes are so subjective, so one person’s DO’s, were another person’s DON’TS. Find a version that YOU love, that showcases your skills, personality, achievements, and stick with it.
✅Go to events. This is a great way to keep your name out there, and expand your network. Go to conferences and summits, networking events, reunions/happy hours with old coworkers, foundation dinners, etc. I have said yes to every event someone has invited me to.
✅Volunteer. This is another great way to stay connected. It has allowed me to bolster my resume, and get feel good vibes at the same time. I find it so rewarding to give back, especially to students who are trying to navigate this crazy time in our industry.
✅ Give yourself grace. There are going to be days or weeks where the momentum is flowing, you’re getting interviews, and feeling like you might land something. Then there are going to be times when you’re tired, defeated, and burnt out. Both are ok. Take a break, recharge, and get back at it when you’re ready.
What kind of work are you hoping to do next (in case anyone reads this and has a lead for you)?
My superpower is monetizing content, and doing that in a very data-driven and efficient manner. Content, whether original or library, is the fuel for any platform or network. The trick is acquiring, distributing, or developing content in a more cost effective manner. Especially in a world where the cost to develop or attain the rights to the big performance drivers are getting more expensive, and there is oversaturation in general. I love problem solving and challenges, analyzing the big picture and connecting dots, streamlining to create efficiencies, and utilizing data to explain those moves.
My background would be a great fit for Content Acquisitions, Content Distribution, Program Strategy, Project Management, or Operations. I’m open to opportunities outside of that as well!
What's the most absurd job search moment?
There was one job I almost got, the offer was coming…only to find out two weeks later the entire platform was shuttered, and everyone was laid off. There is so much volatility right now, that even when you think things are going your way, something can come out of left field.
I've also been in situations where there were 10+ rounds of interviews across 5-6 months, and where the job description vs. title and pay were wildly out of sync. I know there can be uncontrollable variables on the hiring side, like hiring freezes, budget cuts, etc. It still doesn’t change the absurdity of it all for everyone.
If unemployment were a competitive sport, what would your unique talent or skill be in that competition?
Oh that’s easy, it would be creating order from the chaos. I’m a planner at heart, and very skilled with creating structure/process, project management, and information analysis. I’ve created spreadsheets tracking my job applications and their status, who I’ve had informationals with, events I’ve attended, what companies I’m targeting and who I know there, what students I’m mentoring and their goals, etc. It has helped make this uncontrollable ride feel a little more stable.
Most cringey job interview you’ve been on?
It’s not cringey, but it was definitely a “how did I end up here?” moment. It was when I interviewed at Trader Joes. This journey has dragged on for a while, I exhausted all resources, and the bills needed to be paid. Of all the jobs I had applied to, this was the one I was able to land when I needed it.
I ended up doing a 6 month stint at the Joes, and it was a growth experience. I have so much respect for Trader Joe’s employees, because it is a mentally and physically demanding job. The first couple of days were difficult, I kept thinking, “How did I invest so much hard work into a career that resulted in me stocking grocery shelves?”
In the end, I was surprised how rewarding the experience was. I met so many incredible people from all walks of life, many of whom had successful careers, or were also laid off. I even ran into two former colleagues who had gotten laid off from the TV industry as well. The friendships I formed there made the experience worth it, and to this day I still keep in contact with them.
What are your worthy time wasters? What are you reading/watching/listening to/consuming right now?
I did say this experience has dragged on for a while, so I’ve got many recommendations!
📺 The Pitt has been one of the BEST shows I’ve ever watched (and I’ve watched A LOT, I consider it research for my career 😉). I finally subscribed to AppleTV, and Ted Lasso became one of my all time favorite shows. I also really enjoyed The Morning Show and Shrinking. I jumped on the Traitors bandwagon, what an addictive show, and season 3 was so entertaining. Right now, I’m watching Friends & Neighbors with Jon Hamm, and The Last of Us (I’m still recovering from ep. #202 😢).
📖 I really enjoyed Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis (I’m a huge fan of the band). I’ve also been down a Stephen King rabbit hole, and am currently reading Salem's Lot.
🎶 I have gone to SO many concerts during this layoff journey, it’s my version of self care. Jelly Roll was incredible live, so was Allie Colleen, and Lainey Wilson. I got to check Incubus and Sublime with Rome off my teenage bucket list. I’m seeing Bad Bunny in Puerto Rico later this year, his latest album has been on repeat.
Tell us about the last Internet rabbit hole you fell into.
I am fully down the ChatGPT rabbit hole. It has helped me create super complex formulas and codes for the spreadsheets I develop, clean up verbiage on the resumes/cover letters I screen for students, flesh out ideas (yes sometimes I bounce ideas off ChatGPT), and more. I’m also considering ways to adopt AI for the content studio I consult for. It could potentially streamline productions, distribution, and save on costs.
Where can people find you and follow you if they want to connect?
Reach out to me on LinkedIn: Anjelica Rosa. I am always happy to connect, and help in any way. If you’ve read this far, let’s chat!
Have a question, suggestions, or thoughts? Message me!
Have thoughts about what you read, have suggestions for future topics, or a question you want me to answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from readers.