demoted

My team was recently disbanded and am outside firm was hired to replace us. I was reassigned to another team not in line with my career. I was given that option or I could leave. I took the demotion to stay employed and am looking for a new job.

I have a degree and 36 years of experience in my field. I’ve been looking online and attempted to network. I asked them to keep it confidential, but they went to my former supervisor as well as their supervisor.

I’m afraid I’m going to be fired.

My former supervisor let me know and told people who I think are my friends are not.

How can I look for a job if I can’t network? How do I know who I can trust? I’m single and don’t have another source of income.

Thank you.