#28: The Unemployment Diaries with Jennifer Shanker
On tips for quieting a turbulent mind, being your own biggest fan, and the transformative power of Etsy.
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.
Meet Jennifer Shanker, a video producer, content creator, and former producer for Yahoo Finance. I’m thrilled she agreed to share her Laid Off Life journey with us.
If you’d like to be featured in The Unemployment Diaries in the future, email me at laidofflife@substack.com!
The Unemployment Diaries with Jennifer Shanker
Tell us your layoff story.
I worked at Yahoo Finance for nearly five years, first as a freelance production assistant, and then as a segment producer.
I received an email for a “business update” meeting with one of the executives at the company. The guest list was hidden, which I thought was weird. I asked others on my team if they had a meeting on their calendar for that afternoon, and they all said no. I even went as far as to Slack the executive’s assistant asking if it was a mistake (which I deleted shortly after!) I started to get nervous, and some teammates hyped me up by weighing the possibility that I was being promoted. I liked that idea but had a bad feeling in my gut.
Once I got on the Zoom call, a lot of familiar names of people from different teams popped up. Most had their camera off, including me. One of the first things out of the executive’s mouth was that our positions were being eliminated due to a business restructuring. I blacked out for the rest.
I was sure it was a mistake. I was a loyal employee and worked very hard, how could they lay me off?! Sure enough, it was not a mistake. I frantically said meaningful goodbyes to those that I could find in the office, packed up my stuff and left.
What was your initial reaction to being laid off, and how did you deal?
After receiving the news, I was in disbelief for the rest of the day. The next morning, I woke up at my usual start time of 4 AM (I worked on a live morning news show so that was my insanely early wake-up time!) and just cried. The following day, I went for a walk to calm my nerves, and projectile vomited all over the sidewalk (sorry if that’s TMI). I couldn’t have gotten through it all without the support of my partner and bestie, Danny. He somehow transformed himself into a therapist/TED talk speaker when I needed it most. I’m happy to say, that nearly 9 months later, I have calmed down and found my footing in a world without a corporate overlord, and man, is it freeing!
What's one piece of advice you have for someone who is at the very beginning of their laid off life journey?
I don’t want to sound corny or cliche, but get the book The Artist’s Way. No matter where you are in life, this book will have a profound impact on your being. It’s especially useful for those who just got laid off and now have the time to do the exercises in the book. Don’t worry, you’ll still have plenty of time to feel sorry for yourself, look for jobs, and do all of the other laid-off things, but this book will feel like a vacation from a very turbulent mind.
What have you found to be the most challenging part of unemployment, both practically and emotionally?
Managing my thoughts. It all comes down to how you think, and that can be tough. I’m easily influenced by what others think of me and how I present to the world. I feel my best when I'm able to keep my thoughts positive and present. But when my thoughts go awry, which has happened very often since the layoff, it’s paralyzing.
What’s the most annoying thing that’s been said to you about being laid off?
It’s really not what people have said to me, it’s what people have NOT said to me. People have said things like, “So what’re you going to do next?” one day after I was laid off, but at least it shows they care/they’re interested. When I hang out with friends or see people who mean something to me, and they don’t ask about it or acknowledge it, I take note of that. I’m aware it’s because they may just feel awkward asking me or don’t want to upset me, but at the same time, it also makes me feel like they don’t care.
What unexpected benefits or personal growth have you experienced during this time?
I have become my own best friend. I am working on judging myself less. When a negative thought comes into my mind, I try to challenge it and propose the opposite, positive version of that thought. You have to be your own biggest fan, and for 28 years of my life, I was not. Trying to reverse the self-judgment and negative thoughts is a constant uphill battle, but I’m extremely proud of my progress!
What’s one piece of advice your employed self would give your unemployed self?
Remember to look at how far I’ve come. The nervous, scared, wide-eyed Jen who graduated college would be awestruck at all of the things you’ve done since graduation.
What’s the unemployment fear that keeps you up at night?
I’m constantly worrying about what my future holds. If I don’t get a job I’m interviewing for, then what is going to happen to me? If I don’t land a freelance gig, how will I ever land one? And on, and on.
What are your daily routines, rituals, and strategies for staying motivated, productive, and sane during your job search?
Every morning when I wake up, before looking at my phone, I get dressed and go for an hour-long walk. I consider this my version of a cold plunge. Some mornings, it’s 20 degrees out and I really don’t want to go out there in the cold. But I do it. And then I listen to a podcast on my walk.
Once I get home, I drink water, make a cup of coffee, and sit down and journal. Some days journaling is easy, sometimes it’s really hard. After that, I finally open up my computer, check emails, and get started on what I need to do for the day. This morning routine keeps me grounded and gets me in a good headspace for the day. Can’t say that positive headspace always lasts though!
Please share any networking or job search tips that have been helpful for you.
Reach out to the people you feel aligned with. Even if they can’t necessarily “help you get a job” (which a lot of people associate networking with), it will make you feel good to just talk to someone who has the same values as you. I’ve reached out to a few people on LinkedIn on a whim because a post they wrote resonated with me. Their responses have always been positive. And it takes the pressure off the conversation with them because you’re genuinely interested in what they have to say and you’re just being a curious carl. That’s how I met Ami!
Speaking of dream jobs, what is your dream job, if time, money, experience, and reality were of no consequence?
On the side during my time at Yahoo, I was chasing my dreams to be in comedy. I was doing improv and taking sketch comedy classes. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and it took nearly 24 years of living to finally work up the courage to chase something I wanted in that full capacity.
My ULTIMATE dream job is to write, direct, and star in my own comedy series. I’ve done a mini version of that - a web series I created a few years ago called Finfluencer (give it a few episodes, it gets a lot better lol). Since being laid off, I also began making sketch comedy TikToks, and I also post them on my Etsy brand Instagram page @Shank_Me_Later. So, I’m inching toward the dream in my own Jen way!
What kind of work are you hoping to do next (in case anyone reads this and has a lead for you)?
I'm passionate about writing and producing video content, focusing on short-form and explainer videos tailored for a young adult audience. I'm seeking opportunities to utilize my creativity, and expertise in crafting memorable and shareable content. Additionally, I'm interested in breaking into documentary-style content, potentially for platforms like TikTok or Instagram. My background at Yahoo Finance has equipped me with the ability to take complex information and turn it into something relatable and interesting, and my goal is to collaborate on projects that spark conversations and empower viewers!
If you could have any fictional job from a movie or book, what would it be, and why?
While I have big TV/movie aspirations, I also would be happy to just run a coffee shop or a little store. Enter David Rose from Schitt’s Creek. I’d love to own Rose Apothecary, and work with local vendors for the inventory, tasting cheese from farms and sourcing soaps and face washes and candles galore!
What's the most absurd job listing or piece of job-hunting advice that you've come across during your job search?
When I see “looking for a jack of all trades” in a job listing, I’m instantly turned off. Do you want a video producer, or do you want a video producer/editor/writer/social media manager/content strategist/PR specialist?
If unemployment were a competitive sport, what would your unique talent or skill be in that competition?
The ability to find new creative tasks to work on. If I’m not doing that or my freelance jobs, I’m creating. It could be drawing and painting (I recently took up cartoon drawing), filming a sketch comedy, filming a cooking video, making coasters out of resin and pebbles I hand-picked from the Long Island Sound, or making magazine collages.
Remote, In Office, or Hybrid?
Hybrid, or in office! I like to be around people.
Lunch at your desk or take a break and eat properly?
Take a break! At the office, I loved eating lunch with my coworkers (IYKYK), and while I’ve been WFH, I always make sure to eat lunch away from my desk. Options are limited in my 600-square-foot apartment but I make do. It’s usually either the right couch cushion or the left.
Most cringey job interview you’ve been on?
One time I interviewed for a social video editor position for a big-name brand, and in the second round interview they asked me what brand I think had the best marketing campaign in the past year. I completely blanked and could not dig anything up in my mind, even though after the fact I instantly remembered a dozen! So, while my face grew red, I told them I couldn’t think of one. It was really awkward, and as you probably guessed, I did not get the job!
Worst thing you’ve done for money?
I’ve been working as a User Generated Content (UGC) Creator since being laid off. If you don’t know what that is, it’s basically when brands pay you to make TikTok ads for them that seem like they’re not an ad at all. For one of the brands, I made a “stoic advice” video, where I memorized a script that was given to me and delivered it to the camera with plants and candles surrounding me. I felt like a complete poser, as I couldn’t even follow the advice myself. I hope no one ever stumbles upon that video! If you do, I’m sorry.
Best thing you’ve done for money?
Started my Etsy shop! Shortly after being laid off, I did a bunch of research on how to utilize Print On Demand for Etsy, and did the damn thing! I began selling t-shirts, sweatshirts, artwork, and tote bags. It served as the best possible opportunity for me to take complete ownership of a business and control it all myself. I’m endlessly creative with it, and still manage it today. It will always be my baby and the thing that gave me my sense of power back when it felt like all else was lost. Check it out: shankmelater.etsy.com
What are your worthy time wasters? What are you reading/watching/listening to/consuming right now?
🎧 Podcasts: The Mel Robbins Podcast, I Dare You with Jen Gottlieb, Founders, Hard Feelings with Jeannette McCurdy, and We're Here to Help ( funny as hell).
📚 Books: The Many Lives of Mama Love, The Girl With The Louding Voice, Interesting Facts About Space, The Intern, The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control.
📺 TV: Dave, The Curse, Animal Kingdom.
🎥 Movies: Past Lives, Mean Girls (the new one), Dark Waters, Poor Things.
One cheap thrill that you recommend?
Go to the movies!
Tell us about the last Internet rabbit hole you fell into.
I was googling how to get rid of dandruff, and then I came across advice about how to use gua sha to drain my face. So I started doing that daily. And then a few weeks later, I developed a small cyst near my ear, right where I was dragging my gua sha up to. So then I entered the google rabbit hole of “does gua sha-ing cause cysts?” I have yet to find an answer online, but my dermatologist assured me that the two have nothing to do with each other.
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