I need some advice!

32 Comments

1. AnonymousMay 30,2024 at 2:32PM UTC

   First, congratulations on having been forward-thinking and having an interview scheduled. Being laid off yesterday will not impact your standing, because they already have you on their radar.

   One thing I have done that worked, when things have changed since I applied, is to start a conversation with them by indicating that things have changed. The biggest plus you have right now, is that you need a new job, not just want one, but are not likely desperate yet. You also have the option of starting immediately instead of having to give a two-week notice. Because this happened yesterday, having changed will not reflect negatively. This puts the company in a better bargaining position, which they will like. It could put you in a worse bargaining position, depending on how much severance and cushion you have. In the meantime, apply for unemployment if the new job doesn't come through. Also, update your profiles, and if you have any other applications that interest you, update the application (or by email if you can't do that). This way they know you have a change in status.

2. AnonymousMay 30,2024 at 5:53PM UTC

   Thank you for your advice!

   Btw, they canceled the interview just a few minutes before the scheduled start. :(

3. AnonymousMay 30,2024 at 3:16PM UTC

   First off, I don't think being unemployed in this market will have any negative perceptions. As a recruiter, I haven't seen this many people laid off since the crash in 2008, and when everything shut down for COVID. Maybe it is just the metro area I am in, but it has been rough. I feel so much for people getting laid off, as it is quite different from being fired. If you were fired, there were reasons (whether valid or not). With layoffs, it is never about the person, but about the company. I am so sorry you received this blow yesterday.

   Since your interview is today, I would not mention it. If it comes up during the interview naturally, i.e. they ask a question about the current state of things at your company--don't lie, be honest. But that doesn't mean you have to bring it up if it doesn't come up. If the interview goes well, and the recruiter reaches out again, I would let them know at this time. It will only really matter when it comes to background check and start date. You definitely want to clue them in before the background comes back as it will show. Not that it will be bad, but it might look like you are trying to hide something.

   Go into the interview with your head held high and don't let this recent news stop you at all. Layoffs have unfortunately become a part of life with all these big companies trying to make investors happy every quarter.

4. AnonymousMay 30,2024 at 5:53PM UTC

   Thank you! This is quite helpful.

   Btw, they canceled the interview just a few minutes before the scheduled start. :(

5. AnonymousMay 30,2024 at 3:50PM UTC

   I wouldn't mention anything unless they bring it up. You were employed when the conversations were initiated. If someone asks if you're still there you can simply say that unfortunately you've recently parted ways as there was an RIF. Update your linkedin end date accordingly.

6. AnonymousMay 30,2024 at 4:21PM UTC

   I would not inform them until you received an offer if then. No reason to disqualifyyourselfor call your situation into question. Why eould you? Most employment verification only requires the month and year of hire and the month and year of leaving. But if they do require your information then mention the offer comes at a great time since you were just laid off. No reason to volunteer the information unless you are specifically asked point blank.

7. Joanne RosenMay 30,2024 at 4:42PM UTC

   Make it a positive.

   "The company where I worked just restructured and I'm happy to say that I am available as soon as you need me!"

   Layoffs happen daily. They are posted all over the place. Don't sweat it.

8. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMay 30,2024 at 5:29PM UTC

   I would not be too concerned about this. You were only laid off yesterday.

   Listen carefully to the questions they ask - if they ask why you're looking to make a move, you can say what you're looking for in a new opportunity (kind of position, kind of company, types of projects, etc).

   If they ask if you're still at your company, just tell the truth. Say you were just laid off earlier this week. Or say you were laid off but had already started a jobsearch because XXX (if that's true).

   If they don't ask you don't need to bring it up. Please don't lie. If they make you an offer and do a background check, the date of your separation will come up on the employment verification.

   Please don't stress about this. You did nothing wrong. Concentrate on your interview.

   GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!

9. Rae Charlton WagonerJune 1,2024 at 1:40PM UTC

   Joan, I always look forward to reading your advice. I find your input to be sound advice, well-written, and well-thought. Thanks for all that you bring to this space.

10. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJune 1,2024 at 7:38PM UTC

    Awww - thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!! That's so nice to hear. I know from personal experience how tough job searching can be and try my best to give job seekers factual information and fight the BS job search nonsense "advice" that's thrown at them.

11. AnonymousMay 30,2024 at 6:10PM UTC

    I mean often, they will lay you off if they know you are looking so I think it's not an issue.

12. Nadia Ibrahim-Taney, MS. MA. M.Ed.May 31,2024 at 2:32PM UTC

    I coach in an industry where lay offs happen every day. It is all about YOU. Pay no attention to things that are out of your control but what can YOU bring to your next role, and why is YOUR skills and abilities a good fit going forward. Getting laid off is different from being fired. Make that evident in your interview. Good luck!

13. AnonymousMay 31,2024 at 3:38PM UTC

    Unless you are asked directly you don't have to broadcast the layoff during that meeting. Focus on your fit for the role and why you are interested in their position. If you get the offer then you can let them know you were affected by the RIF and that is part of why you were seeking something new.

14. AnonymousJune 1,2024 at 1:11PM UTC

    Being laid off in this economy is not uncommon.

    You should just note it on your last job on your CV- I know this is not always a popular tidbit. As a recruiter I like to see it because it simply states that this is why the candidate is looking for a job.

    Do you have a LinkedIn profile?

    I don't mean to sound snotty, but most people who apply for a job think their skills align perfectly when not all do.

    When you submit a resume, make sure you do highlight the skills the employer is seeking. You might want to make a generic resume and then a few extras that highlight the skills in your field. You can ammend them easily that way for each submission.

    The last 3 jobs I advertised I got over 2000 applicants for each job in one week. People are really looking for new jobs! Please let me know if you need help.

15. AnonymousJune 1,2024 at 1:24PM UTC

    Why inform them unless they specifically ask? Then, you just let them know you were part of a recent layoff that happened during this interview process.

16. AnonymousJune 2,2024 at 12:50PM UTC

    I was laid off from my job April 1st without any warning. Not sure what your reasoning was but mine was for cost savings, numbers after 1st quarter weren't looking great and my newly added position was an easy one to eliminate. I decided to just be honest from the get go. On my resume I put April 2024 as the end date for my last position rather than leaving it as Present, I thought that would be misleading. Some recruiters/interviewers asked me about it, some I decided to come out and tell them before being asked. Either way, I didn't get any negative reactions. Like someone said in one of the comments, layoffs are pretty common. So, as long as you hadn't been fired for doing something wrong at the company you should be fine talking about it.

17. Dawn CrossJune 2,2024 at 1:03PM UTC

    You don’t - unless asked specifically. If they do ask, state the truth, that your (now) former employer has made the decision to go in a different direction and you were part of a position elimination.

    Keep it factual, keep it short.

    Position eliminations (PE’s is the new “buzzword”) are very much a reality. Don’t talk negatively about it in public, mourn the loss in private, hold your head up high. You’ve got this.

18. Ellen SwordsJune 2,2024 at 1:14PM UTC

    1000% AGREE!!! Could NOT have said it better! THEY (the New Company) is on a Need to Know, basis, at this point! Everything portrayed and communicated was factual and truthful at the time. Things happen for a reason, this opens you up to the new co. and ZERO obligation for any two-week notice crapola!

19. AnonymousJune 2,2024 at 3:01PM UTC

    Also, a used phrase is "organizational restructure."

    Wishing you all the best! Break a leg!!!

    And don't ask, don't tell.

20. Travel with 00peter08June 2,2024 at 1:26PM UTC

    Well tell them you were let got suddenly but say you are open and willing to adapt your skills you gained from the last job to the new one

21. Kelly CranfordJune 2,2024 at 1:55PM UTC

    I wouldn't bring it up unless they ask. If you have been unemployed for over a month, make sure you do something positive with that time (volunteer, take a class, learn something, self reflection). Do not to talk badly about your prior employer - focus on what you learned, find something positive to say.

22. AnonymousJune 2,2024 at 1:57PM UTC

    I am an "honesty is the best policy" kind of person. Spin it as you are now 100% available with no strings attached.

23. KathleenJune 2,2024 at 3:28PM UTC

    Before going on any interview, get your "exit story" together, using honesty as the core of the story. If it was not for underperformance, but instead as a result of a merger or acquisition, just say so.

24. Agustin LealJune 2,2024 at 3:47PM UTC

    I think you must tell the true. You are without job and you need the job. That is the reality. I do not see anything wrong by telling that you don’t have currently a job. That’s the reason why you are applying for a job.

25. Jacqueline CutlerJune 2,2024 at 3:54PM UTC

    I would tell the truth. You don't need to lead with it because that will cloud the whole interview. But put on your best face, aim to get the job, and be honest about how well you would fit with it and how much you need it because you just lost yours.

26. StellaJune 2,2024 at 4:28PM UTC

    I did not volunteer the information and was in the final stages of my interview. They asked and I told them that I was laid off. The final interview ended and I was not hired. I was judged without any courtesy of an explanation. A better job came along and I am grateful.

27. AnonymousJune 2,2024 at 6:04PM UTC

    you don't need to say anything about what happened yesterday. it is irrelevant at this point except to say that you "could" be available to work in 3 weeks, if given proper notice by the (potential) new employer. Shake it off. Don't mention, as it has no bearing on tomorrow's interview.

28. AnonymousJune 3,2024 at 12:49PM UTC

    You don’t proactively bring this up at all during your interviews. You proceed talking about the future, your skills etc. When asked about your current role you can talk about your current experience, tasks skills with this role. If you are asked if you are working at x role you say yes I was working in this role through May and quickly pivot to what you did at the job/company. When is your last day on paper (meaning the last day they are covering healthcare (not cobra) and paying wages? You don’t need to talk in detail about being laid off, again you focus on what you are bringing to the table. Not lying rather not letting it be an unnecessary distraction.

29. AnonymousJune 3,2024 at 1:23PM UTC

    I don't see why you need to bring it up

30. OLIVIA JOHNSONJune 3,2024 at 2:36PM UTC

    Hi there! Great job on securing an interview so quickly. There is no need to proactively inform them in your interview. Praying for the best for you!

31. Susan MyersJune 3,2024 at 11:10PM UTC

    With so many layoffs happening in today's world this is not an issue. There should be no negative inference. Good luck!

32. April DJuly 20,2024 at 5:46PM UTC

    I wouldn't volunteer the information, I would even bring it up. But if asked, be honest.

    "The company did a realignment and my position was redundant and was eliminated."

    "Headcount was reduced as a cost saving measure and my position was eliminated"

    Keep it positive, meaning don't be bitter and then steer the conversation about the future.