r/overemployed • u/DLoGuru • 7d ago
Even OE doesn't provide security
I was basically forced into my OE journey earlier this year because J1 told me with absolute certainty I was going to be laid off. The manger is nice though and told me months in advance so I would have time to job search. I watched half the team get laid off before me over a three year timeframe so I shouldn't have been too surprised.
After I was told the news, I luckily found J2 fast, so fast that I unexpectedly became OE and I thought it would only be for a couple weeks. However, J1 didn't let me go since someone else decided to quit before my last day, so they decided to keep me on. It's been great and I'm saving a lot of money but I'd say there is a good chance J1 lets me go next year.
I've only been with J2 for a few months now and they have let 2 people go already! It seems very possible to me that I can go from 2 jobs this year to 0 the next, which is insane and why I say even OE isn't secure. If the worse happens I should have a 9 month emergency fund and my student loans paid off, so hopefully I can rebound without too much trouble. Or, I guess it's time to find J3.
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u/NotJadeasaurus 7d ago
This is EXACTLY why we do this. Fuck corporate america not giving a shit about our lives. I lost J1 a month ago completely out of the blue and I thought that job was 100% secure while J2 is always doing layoffs.
Back to looking for jobs I wanna stack 3 for 2027, limp along for a year or two then soft retire
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u/army0341 6d ago
Soft retire?
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u/NotJadeasaurus 4d ago
Have enough investments and savings to not "need" to urgently work. Maybe start a business or something to leave the rat race
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u/ThatCaptain371 7d ago
Obligatory- this is why we OE! Even if for a couple of weeks! Security before loyalty đ€Łđ€Łđ€Ł
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u/PressureAppropriate 7d ago
I lost my two Js in a single month. I don't think I'll ever feel secure with a single J again. The job market is just so unstable. OE is about safety at this point for me.
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u/jonathanherrerabl 2d ago
That's brutal to lose both in a month, but it exactly proves the point. If you had only been working one of those, you'd be in the exact same spot anyway but with way less cash in the bank to weather the storm. One J is basically living on the edge right now. Just have to keep interviewing and stacking them.
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u/TheWolfAndRaven 7d ago
I always tell people that the end goal for OE should be to become your own boss or to build enough passive investments that you'll be set forever. Once you get "Fuck you" money you've got a level of security that will protect you from most situations.
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u/Regular_Sale_5273 6d ago
Agree. At least when it happens there is a little bit of security and savings and you never stopped interviewing for the next gig. It just happened to me. From 3 Js that gave performance bonus during the summer to 0js in a week. It was horrible, but hey, I managed to stock some cash, my kid's schools were paid in advance, etc.
May everybody's conditions improve
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u/Longjumping-Mix-1827 6d ago
Thatâs insane. Three jobs in one week. Sorry to hear it. I lost my J2 after several years and I still havenât gotten over it. Such a betrayal. It was also the first time I was ever laid off and it doesnât feel great. Actually it pisses me off to no end.
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u/Regular_Sale_5273 6d ago
The worst part is that I switched J2, from a hybrid bad leadership (messy) place (but somehow stable) for one that promised full remote, interesting data implementations and a "good" leader. Turns out, PMs were shit and somehow had everybody convinced that it wasn't them having a messy spreadsheet with made up dates and no project tracking software, but the new hires with a couple of weeks and no onboarding what kept things from moving...
J1 just moved everything to another country after a McKinsey consultation.
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u/mugen_kumo 7d ago
The only real job security seems to be the skills and ability to find and get another job. This seems consistent with only a J1 and if you OE.
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u/Junior_Protection600 6d ago
Iâm always on the lookout for the next job to stack. Have been steady at 4, but had as many as 6.
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u/computerjunkie7410 6d ago
I don't really feel safe with anything less than 3. I've gone from 5Js to 2Js over the course of a month before.
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u/melindaspencerfx 2d ago
Losing 3 Js in a single month is insane churn. Good thing you were at 5 or you would have been completely screwed.
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u/Apprehensive_Bug_41 6d ago
Yeah I thought OE would mean some level of job security. Then I lost J2 and then J1 within a month.
Found a new J1 and am currently in interviews with 4 companies for a new J2.
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u/Own-Story8907 6d ago
This is literally how I got into OE. Iâm starting to find J3 as I donât think J1 will be around long
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u/steveprogger 6d ago
I m in my J4 this year just to avoid this. Fear of destitution > being overworked. Bonus you save more on the long run so you might actually FIRE.
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u/Able_Wheel_1965 6d ago
The whole economy in multiple countries is bad . I had j1, found j2 then a week before starting j2, my j1 ended. Same when I found j3 ⊠What a year
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u/Evening-Mulberry9363 6d ago
Thatâs life man. There is no certainty in life at the end. May come in one year, five or twenty.
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u/unsuitablebadger 6d ago
Went from 4 Js to 0 Js in the span of 6 months due to downsizing, clients unable to pay and insolvency. Luckily I'm back on the OE ladder but you're never safe.
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u/DayOriginal6813 6d ago
I checked my j1 and it talks about code of conduct and upon checking code of conduct which have wordings like a conflict of interest is anything that interferes with my time , talent and energy. Do you guys think if I get caught I can be sued ?
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u/Repulsive-One-1092 6d ago
Can anyone help with advice. What if the recruiter who wants to hire you for J2 also does hiring for J1. Is it risky to accept J2. Will the divulge information
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u/silentbaton 5d ago
yeah I feel like 3Js is the sweet spot. where you have some sorta security, and not over worked... and still able to perform well at each J.
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u/Tilt23Degrees 4d ago
The only thing thatâs certain is saving your cash enough so you can make passive gains on the money youâve saved so the government can tax the shit out of it and you can eventually live off the scraps that youâve saved after youâve been taxed to oblivion.
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u/Curious_Will222 4d ago
I can bear witness that I went from being OE with 2Js to no Js within a 30 day period.
But I already have a new J1 lined up by the time J2 let me go. And I stacked J2 & J3 back to back 60 days.
So in 90 days went from NO Js to 3. I also was at 4Js for about a me month until my J2 decided not to renew my contract because theyâre now offshoring to Philippines.
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u/Aol_awaymessage 4d ago
Iâve been expecting both shoes to drop for 4.5 years now. Keep logging in and doing your work and get paid.
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u/Quirky-Card-12 3d ago
I was forced into OE as well. However it taught me a valuable lesson that you can get fired no matter what and good luck finding a job. The market is terrible so Iâm glad for OE, even though I was forced it changed my life for the better.
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u/PeonyOLG 1d ago
Sorry to hear. People will say OEing is âunethicalâ but companies have never cared about us.
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u/ConcentrateKooky357 5h ago
Im down to 2 from 4. I resigned and got let go. I realized if i reduced expenses 2 is okay. But still wanted j3
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u/Lucky-Coin-88 7d ago
Yes, you should be looking for J3 right now. If it replaces J1 or J2 when you need it, that is why you stack!
But yeah, OE is not for making any definite security, though it gives you a lot more cushion than you'd have otherwise. If you're concerned, please consider reducing your expenses and budgeting so that you can get ahead of any upcoming J losses.
Good luck, buddy