Getting Laid Off Doesn't Have To Suck
From Rude Awakening to A Life Better Lived
Here’s my highest engaged 𝕏 post from this past week:
I asked my son what he wants for Christmas.
“I already told Santa.”
Great. I hope Santa gets you what you want.
Now onto this week’s post.
“Can we chat for a few minutes?”
I stared blankly at the Slack message from Human Resources while my heart rate started to increase.
My day had started like any other.
OK. That’s a lie.
The pandemic had started a few weeks prior. My coworkers and I were just getting used to working from home.
On this sunny April day, I was expecting a delivery of a pellet grill smoker. I was pretty excited about getting into smoking to complement my hobby of home brewing beer.
I was sitting at my makeshift work desk, aka my dining room table, when I noticed that I wasn’t able to contact my boss over Slack. It was pretty strange since he was usually pretty responsive during work hours.
Then the rumors started flying. Our company was going through a mass layoff.
That’s when HR messaged me. My time was up.
My role had been “reduced”. 4 years of being indoctrinated with messages of family and community went out the window.
I was shocked. It was like watching a terrible car accident, except I was the one in the car that couldn’t be saved by the Jaws of Life.
As soon as I got off the call with HR, I tried logging into my laptop. I just wanted to reach out to my work besties. But, no. I was denied that consolation as the company’s IT department swiftly revoked my access.
A New Reality
I let my wife know. Then the rest of my family.
Decoupled from the burden of useless meetings, “can we touch base”’s, and “per my last email”’s, I made my way to the garage to unbox my smoker.
Still in a state of shock, I disassociated and started prepping my first brisket.
Days later, I would receive a box of personal items I had left in the office. 3,375 sq. in. of birthday cards, a ping pong paddle, a mouse pad, profession-related books, and other belongings each with their own memories.
I went through the box while reflecting on my journey so far.
I started my first “real” job out of college working in a service department for a company that sold automated vehicle entry products. Think parking garage equipment.
5 years later, I worked as a software engineer for a well known media company.
I had never been laid off. Not until now. I wasn’t sure how to process my emotions of loss, sadness, anxiety, and grief. I had lost my parents before this point, but this felt… different.
As the bread winner of my family, I worried that when my severance ran out, I’d need to come up with creative solutions to supporting them.
Life Goes On
I took a week for myself before I started my job hunt.
During that time, I built a website showcasing my achievements. I reached out to previous coworkers (many from the company that just let me go) for testimonies. I’m blessed to have had so many help me in my time of need.
I added my website to my LinkedIn profile and resume, and I hit the job boards.
I went on a few remote interviews. All seemed to go well, but unfortunately, they didn’t pan out.
If you’re looking for a job today (December 2024), these were entirely unique times. Recruiters would keep you up to date on your status. Hiring managers would let you know if you were moving on to the next stage. Wild, I know.
With the clock ticking and about 2 weeks left on my severance package, I got a call back from a recruiter of a Fortune 500 company.
“Congratulations. We’re sending you an offer.”
The clouds parted, and I heard angels tooting their tiny, glorious horns.
I was able to negotiate a base salary that was 20% more than my previous. I would also be eligible for an annual bonus and grant of equity.
After a few months of career limbo, I was finally landing on my feet.
Looking Back
Even after landing a better role, I had spent the first couple years in a state of anger and resentment toward my previous company.
“How could they do that to me?”
“I was one of their best employees.”
“Their leaders are f!ckin’ outta their minds.”
“I hope they tank.”
I’ve heard from previous coworkers that I was part of only the first round of layoffs. The vibe there has thoroughly changed. It’s no longer the fun startup we once knew.
It took more time than I’d like to admit but I’m finally at peace with it. I count it as a step in my journey.
Strategies for Handling a Layoff
Prepare
“But, Marcel, I’ve got a job. My manager loves me and they’d never let me go.”
Maybe. Maybe not. You could be the best employee in the world (heck, I thought I was), but your company has no loyalty to you. If it shall pleaseth the shareholders, you may find yourself kicking rocks.
So prepare now. Start building yourself an emergency fund or as I call it, an oh sh!t bucket.
Most personal finance gurus recommend socking away anywhere between 3 to 6 months of expenses. Sounds daunting? Start saving for a week’s worth of expenses and build up from there with each paycheck. Better yet, set up an automatic deposit into a separate account that you conveniently forget about until you need it (hopefully never).
Self Reflect
During my career limbo, I did quite a bit of self-reflection. I wasn’t really sure that I wanted to go back into the same role. I researched other alternatives. I thought about my passions and what career I wanted for myself.
Maybe you love what you once did. By all means, continue to look for a role doing that.
But maybe this is a sign from the universe to go chase after whatever makes your heart sing (and pays your bills).
Do Something Unique
I once saw this video from an out of work Product Manager. She treated herself as the Product and made a video showcasing herself. It was super creative and engaging.
I made a website to use as an aid in my job search. Did it help? Maybe. But it certainly didn’t hurt.
What can you create to stand out from the other 697 applicants?
Growth Is Born From Failure
4 years later I’m still gainfully employed with the same company. In fact, I’ve been promoted a couple of times.
"Sometimes adversity is what you need to face in order to become successful." - Zig Ziglar
If I hadn’t been laid off all those years earlier, I might never have:
Achieved a Director level position.
Run initiatives that positively impact tens of thousands of employees.
Met and befriended some of the most intelligent and talented people in my industry.
Been able to support my family (and extended family) during our toughest challenges over the last few years.
Amassed enough of a nest egg to be on the path to comfortably retire.
If you’re looking for work, hang in there. Layoffs suck, but it may just lead you to your next big thing.