Laid Off: Editorial Director at Thrillist

"I wasn't surprised about getting laid off, but I haven't been able to find a job or even get interviews so it's made me question everything."

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In today’s issue, we talk to a former Editorial Director at Thrillist on the vibe after your peers are laid off and you’re still there and the state of the job hunt.

In January 2023, Vox Media laid off 7% of its workforce, or about 130 employees. That included cutting the entertainment section at Thrillist.

Kerensa Cadenas, 39, was the editorial director of culture there, and among those let go.

If you’re playing layoff detective, Kerensa said to look out for weird meetings, ignored emails, and budget cuts.

Before she was laid off, there was a previous round of layoffs, and Kerensa described the vibe as “decidedly weird” at the time, so she kind of saw it coming.

“They had gotten rid of the rest of the team other than three of us before [I was laid off], and we had to basically create a new type of coverage, and then they started ignoring my requests for help.”

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You had colleagues laid off before you. What was the vibe like after that? How did it affect your ability to get work done? 

The vibe was decidedly weird. There were only three of us left and when they laid off the rest of the team they also eradicated entertainment coverage, so we were tasked with creating a new hybrid coverage of culture and travel that we were supposed to have help from higher ups to create but that never ended up happening.

The writing was on the wall, whether or not we read it. Morale was low but we continued to do some good work albeit at a much slower, jaded pace. 

What did you do about health insurance?

I got continued health benefits until my severance ran out. I’m now getting it through the state but it’s still kind of expensive per month. 

What was the first thing you did after receiving the news?

I started getting all my shit together for contacts.

What does getting your shit together entail?

From leaving or being laid off from other jobs, I already have a doc in place that has emails of all publicists, freelance writers, and any other contacts I had, so I added any new people in there or changes in where people worked, etc. 

How has being laid off has changed your relationship to work?

I wasn't surprised about getting laid off, but I haven't been able to find a job or even get interviews so it's made me question everything.

What's the job search been like since you've been laid off?

I’ve been looking since I got laid off in January 2023 and it’s been pretty shitty. I’ve had interviews and edit tests but nothing has worked out. And of late, there’s just nothing to apply to. I’ve been applying for teaching and tutoring jobs and some service jobs as well, and nothing. On top of that, many of the jobs I’ve applied for I’d have to take a pretty significant pay cut. 

For those not in journalism, can you briefly touch on what an edit test is?

Basically, an edit test usually entails editing a piece of writing to test editing skills from structure to line editing, and it usually also has a section or two about what kinds of story ideas you would pitch for that section. It really depends on the place, but I've had them be as simple as writing a memo of ideas to involving a four or five step test with many different sections. 

How often are you paid for your work on edit tests?

I've only been paid for an edit test once and it wasn't even that much. 

When you want to vent about how shitty the job search is, who do you usually turn to? 

Other freelance friends, but I’ve also been complaining about it for so long I’ve been keeping it to myself. 

Do you find that your peers who were also laid off are having a similarly rough time with the job hunt? 

Yeah it seems so! Although I think people have seemed more open to talk about it being rough lately as opposed to even six months ago. 

You said you apply to up to ten jobs a week. How often do you hear back from a company? 

Very rarely unless it’s a form rejection.  

Have you ever been ghosted by a hiring manager? 

Oh for sure, and after doing interviews or edit tests as well. I’ve even found out I didn’t get a job via social media because someone else got it and I was just never told. 

Have you learned anything through this process, like what's not working versus what might get you to the next step for a job?

Is it so bleak to say, at least for now, not really? I’m kind of at an impasse about what to do next. I guess the biggest thing I’ve learned is how awful the whole tax situation is in terms of freelancing. 

What advice would you give someone who has just been laid off?

If you have severance, take some time for yourself before diving back into it. I should have done more of that but I was freaked out so I started working again immediately though freelance projects.

What do you wish people would stop saying or doing after someone gets laid off?

I understand the praise, like you'll find something soon, but once you don't it feels like hearing that feels fake.

What's something cool you've worked on since the layoff? Share something you're proud of.

I've got to do some really special screening Q&As I'm proud of.

Any piece of advice re: the job search that's actually been helpful? 

Not really. But if anyone has good advice I’d love to hear it! 

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Kerensa is currently seeking work in anything: writing, editing, copywriting, selling out, moderating, etc. Full-time is ideal, but she’s open to freelance and part-time work. You can reach her at keren145@gmail.com.

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