Best practices after a layoff

I’ve survived layoffs in tech.

This is a difficult economy for people in tech. The first time, I got an offer 52 days after my layoff. This time, I got an offer 43 days after. When I’ve searched, it’s stressful. Based on the work that I do to search for jobs, it’s 40+ hour workweeks.

I’ve accepted a new job. I’ll announce it soon. I’m hopeful that I can make serious contributions in this new job for years and years!

I am thankful to everyone who helped. I’m thankful for everyone who interviewed me. Even if it sounds nutty, I’m even thankful for everyone who considered and then rejected my applications. What are my lessons learned?

Negotiate your layoff terms

Severance payouts are typically standard within a company. It may vary depending on tenure. It’s harder to negotiate such payouts. In many cases, changes to such payouts require multiple layers of management.

However, support in the US for extended health insurance (also known as COBRA) can be easier to get. You may also be able to negotiate other elements, such as a reduced price for equipment (laptop) provided by your (former) employer.

Apply for unemployment

In the US, rules for applying for unemployment vary by state. I know nothing about unemployment compensation in other countries.

But apply as soon as possible. Mistakes can cost you weeks of compensation that you could have received.

Regain focus

Layoffs are a trauma. From personal experience, they’re certainly not as severe as widowhood. But they can affect finances, self-esteem, identity, and mental health.

That is not (yet) the time to appeal to your professional network. IMO, it’s best to wait until you’ve regained your focus before making any announcements.

I’m thankful for my network. Today, getting the word out involves public announcements, such as “Open for Work” on LinkedIn. The majority of announcements that I’ve seen say, in essence:

• “I’ve been laid off, please help.”
• Thanks to the company that laid them off. *

I’ve done neither. Instead, I created a post, “I can help you create better docs”. I told future employers what I can do for them. In essence, I created a cover letter for my target industry.

• I did campaign for public endorsements from employees from my past companies. Almost always, I’d prepare the endorsement, and welcome a rewrite in the words of the person whose endorsing you. My LinkedIn profile features this endorsement from the CEO of a previous company.

Don’t just ask for help

I didn’t stop there. I added more posts to LinkedIn, focused on my past accomplishments. I also added those posts to what I’ll call a personal professional website, https://ai-techwriter.com/. It’s me, advertising what I can do for potential future employers.

One advantage: it helped me review (and remember) my past work. When I got interviews, it helped me get ready to talk about how I’ve helped, professionally, in the past.

Find hiring managers in your network

I’m an introvert who networks. Introverts are typically biased towards deep conversations. I’ve discussed what I can do, and (more important) I’ve asked others what they’ve done to solve common problems.

I’m fortunate to know some of the hiring managers behind some job listings. Before applying, I’ll contact them first. Then I’ll contact anyone who can endorse me with the hiring manager.

In several cases, the contact has told me that they’ve already started interviews for the position. In other words, applying would have been a waste of time.

Customize your application

I spent an average of 8 hours on each application. I study the job description. I take advice from anyone who knows the company. I use tools like Built With to identify the documentation tools. I frequently organize my resume, cover letter, and more in dedicated Git repositories. (Such repositories demonstrate my knowledge of “Docs-as-code.”)

When possible, I set up informational interviews with potential future co-workers. It’s worth the trouble. With that kind of work, I get maybe a 1/3 response rate to my applications.

Share your schedule

I like Calendly. When scheduling interviews, it allows potential employers to see my availability. Make sure your settings require potential employers to reserve time at least a day in advance. You do want time to prepare.

Once you’ve prepared your Calendly, you can share that with anyone who wants to schedule an interview with you.

Extra work

Many companies support open source. They want contributions. It is an opportunity to show what you can do.

In a world where some open jobs get literally over 1000 applications, it can make the difference. But if you do contribute, make sure it’s perfect. I spent hours on one contribution. It had subtle mistakes, which kept me from getting the interview. But in a different case, the contribution convinced others to speak up for me to get me an offer!

Prepare for your interview

While there are many great resources for software interviews, I’ve added a twist. I prepare a “closing statement.”

When I’ve interviewed others for jobs, I’ve taken copious notes. I’ve then gone over the notes to submit my evaluation and report. I’ve asked for closing statements from people I’ve interviewed to sum up their qualifications, as well as the reasons why they should be hired.

I do the same for the people who interview me. While I prepare the closing statement in advance, I almost always change it, based on what’s discussed during the interview. Ideally, you’ve made your interviewer’s job easier. That person can use your closing statement to start their report.

When I ask questions in interviews, I follow-up. I add specifics on how I can help the target company / interviewer with my skills and/or accomplishments. For example, I might ask about whether the company works in an “agile” environment. The interviewer might follow up with problems they have with agile. I’d then follow up with “Here’s how I’ve (addressed problems similar to yours) in agile environments.

As I answer questions, I’ll make notes. I’ll include some of these notes for my closing statement. I’ll use more of these notes for my thank you letter. (Yes, I do write those as well.)

Follow up

What’s the balance between patience and persistence? It depends on the company. When following up, one danger is sounding like the kid whose asking “Are we there yet?”

When you do follow up, add something about your qualifications. What excites you about the job? Remind your audience why they want to hire you.

The offer

I hope that all of you get to this stage. In many cases, you’ll want to take any offer that a hiring company wants to give you. In some cases, that’s appropriate.

In some cases, you should negotiate. Done properly, that can help you when you start your job. It can help convince your future manager that you’ll stand up for them within the company.

When you negotiate, compensation is a package. There’s salary. For many, there are options and/or RSUs. For a few, there are signing bonuses. Those are typically negotiable. Unless you’re one of those “10x” people, it’s not realistic to negotiate anything else, as that requires approval from multiple managers.

Note: In the US, in many cases, you can continue to collect unemployment before you start a new job. Of course, the rules vary by state.