I was laid off during a vacation in May while traveling. I had just opened Outlook on my phone, and to my shock, I found out I was let go from a Fortune 500 company as part of their second round of layoffs. It was my first experience with a layoff, and it hit me hard, especially since I had performed well in the last financial year. The timing couldn't have been worse, as I was in a location with terrible cell coverage, forcing me to scramble for a decent signal just to join the HR call. It completely ruined my trip, and I had to cut it short. Initially, I felt lost and hopeless, but I maintained my discipline and continued applying for jobs. By August, I landed a position at a great product company with a 30% salary increase compared to my previous role. I applied to over 50 companies and went through numerous interviews, and I learned some valuable lessons along the way: 1. The advice about applying within 24 hours of a job opening is overrated. I found that referrals didn't significantly impact my applications either. 2. Using a standardized resume on job portals worked better for me than customizing my CV for each application. Most of my interview opportunities came from recruiters reaching out after viewing my profile. 3. I refused to settle for a lower salary just because I was laid off. I held firm on my worth, and it paid off. 4. I created a dynamic 'Interview Cheat Sheet' to help me prepare for interviews. I documented common questions and updated it after each interview to improve my responses. 5. The job market may seem tough, but there are opportunities out there. It requires patience and persistence, but you only need one good offer. If you're going through a layoff, don't let it diminish your confidence. Keep refining your pitch and stay positive. I'm here to help with any questions about job search strategies!
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