I absolutely wouldn't mention it either way, until they make an offer, and then you can let them know that you are free immediately due to a recent round of layoffs.

Were you laid off or terminated? You use both terms in your post but they mean very different things. Either way, when the recruiter does your reference check they are going to find out. I think it is best to let them know of your updated status when you provide the references. Hopefully, it is just a layoff which is easily explained. Especially with the current state of the world. Best of luck to you! I hope you get the job!

This is a tough decision and I think all the previous comments have very valid arguments for or against speaking up about losing your job. I lean towards the speaking up to the recruiter. If you did not lose your job due to any negative act or performance by you, then you should feel no anxiety in relaying that information. In keeping quite, it implies that you were possibly let go in relation to something that you may have done. If you are not considered because your situation has changed, then perhaps that is not a company you really want to work for. Be confident, stay strong, and try not to convey panic in your changed circumstance. Best of luck in whichever decision you feel is right for you. The recruiter may also have other opportunities if the current one does not come to fruition.

This exact thing happened to me. I spoke to my recruiter and let her know about the situation and guided me through the process. The best thing is that I still got the offer. I was told later that if I hadn't been upfront that it might have been a deterrent because I wouldn't have been able to explain the situation. The company I was interviewing with called all of my previous employers anyway so they would have found out one way or another.

Hi there! Will you be needing references or a letter of recommendation from your current company? If not, then you can hold off on saying anything to your recruiter for a week or two. But it could also be helpful to talk to your recruiter and ask her what she thinks the best approach would be to inform the company you're interviewing with and if it would affect the interview process in any way. If you have great references at your current job and were terminated because you just weren't a good fit like you said, then it shouldn't be a problem at all to tell them that you're now available to start immediately. Good luck, I hope you get the job!!!

I think I will differ from the crowd here and say nope to the nope. Unless they make you an offer, it's really none of their business what your situation is. Use the scarcity principle... I wish this weren't true but companies like people who already have jobs more than people who need jobs. I'm a career coach, and have recruited for companies, and was in charge of HR before that so I know how these folks think :)

I would definitely let them know you are available immediately. This is a plus for a company that wants someone in the job right away.

Laid off or terminated? Two different ways to handle it.

You were notified of a lay off- and you haven't actually left the company yet. Because of that, I'd hold off on telling the new company anything. It's not official that you've left your current company yet. And your position being eliminated has nothing to do with your qualifications for the new role. In the current business environment, this is not an issue, in my opinion.

You definitely need to be candid with the recruiter. If the recruiter or the new company do a routine check to confirm your employment with your current company, they will find out about your departure. If you haven’t been candid, you will definitely not get the new position and you will have terminated any future opportunities with the recruiter. If you were laid off because of financial pressures, that is not problematic.