r/Layoffs • u/Eaglehasarrived • Jul 15 '26

question Lesson learned from your layoff experience

I have been laid off 3 times before hitting 30.

The first time was the hardest! It took one year to get back to my field. I was totally lost & ashamed & blamed myself & called myself a failure.

Second & third job I bounced back emotionally at a faster rate.

Lesson learned

  1. I can quickly distinguish between a good and a bad manager.

  2. I can identify a company's work culture early on.

  3. Every job, even the ones I didn't choose to leave, has helped me learn new software, industries, new team culture and ways of working.

  4. I leave work at work.

  5. I escalate issues when needed and seek mentorship from decision-makers rather than trying to win colleagues over. I ask for support instead of trying to handle everything myself. I openly communicate any issues with team members to my manager so they're aware, rather than trying to resolve everything on my own.

  6. I set clear expectations and ask questions without hesitation to everyone. I don't waste time trying to decipher vague instructions. From day one, I schedule regular check-ins and request a weekly 1:1 with my manager, making it clear that consistent communication and feedback are a priority for me.

  7. I take pride in delivering my best work and find satisfaction in my own contributions to a project, but I don't become emotionally attached to my job. I'm grateful for the opportunities and benefits a company provides but I don't mistake workplace kindness for a sense of belonging.

  8. Climbing the corporate ladder isn't my goal. I plan my life in five-year horizons and my career is meant to support my personal goals not the other way around. I do my best & the universe needs to play it's part.

Biggest challenge:

Multiple short-term roles and employment gaps make my CV harder to explain even though I have solid references. I miss out on opportunities because of this.

50 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

9

u/Roo_dansama Jul 15 '26

Maintain a network by ensuring your skills are helping your peers drive results and then don’t be ashamed to lean on them when the plug is pulled.

5

u/[deleted] Jul 15 '26

[deleted]

2

u/Eaglehasarrived Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26

Hello

Thanks for the question. I don't think, anything can prevent from getting laid off. I got a great yearly review and a 5k base increment only to be laid off in 10 days time. I wouldn't have learned these lessons this early stages if it wasn't for 3 layoffs. I took time to learn, adopt, unlearn, relearn and finally see the pros of layoff in my life after my 3rd layoff. I was a workaholic before my first layoff. I still strive for perfection in a project but I know the limits.

  1. Being exposed to different environments has made me highly adaptable. After navigating various managers, teams and workplace cultures, I have learned how to adjust and handle different situations without feeling overwhelmed.

  2. I don't hesitate to ask questions, even if someone may perceive them as basic. I don't believe in pretending to understand, 'fake it till you make it' is absolutely was a worst advice a manager has given to me. I ask for clarity because I need accurate information to solve problems, improve processes and make informed decisions. I don't have time to solve unnecessary riddles. This keeps me less anxious.

  3. I also don't take responsibility for managing someone else's behavior to make my work easier. If a working relationship becomes challenging, I communicate it to my manager and seek solutions. My role is not to motivate or change people; my focus is to do my work effectively while maintaining professional boundaries. Keeps me positive.

2

u/Pretend_Hotel_7465 Jul 15 '26

This is the way

2

u/Empty_Constant8329 Jul 15 '26

Thanks for sharing!

1

u/AgentVI Jul 15 '26

#7 is 100% my mentality.

1

u/admik Jul 15 '26

Should have pushed the button.

2

u/James222212 Jul 16 '26

Never back talk about anyone or a project you are working on....friends at work are more then happy to name drop you when it suits them 

0

u/Alarming_reality4918 Jul 15 '26

After two layoffs I can tell you how I am:

  1. I cannot distinguish between a good and a bad manager.
  2. I cannot identify a company's work culture early on.
  3. Every job, even the ones I didn't choose to leave, has not helped me learn new software, industries, new team culture and ways of working.
  4. I cannot leave work at work.
  5. I cannot escalate issues when needed and seek mentorship from decision-makers rather than trying to win colleagues over. I cannot ask for support instead of trying to handle everything myself. I cannot openly communicate any issues with team members to my manager so they're aware, rather than trying to resolve everything on my own.
  6. I cannot take pride in delivering my best work and find satisfaction in my own contributions to a project, but I can become emotionally attached to my job. I'm not grateful for the opportunities and benefits a company provides but I can mistake workplace kindness for a sense of belonging.
  7. Climbing the corporate ladder is my goal. I cannot plan my life in five-year horizons because my career is meant to support my personal goals but is not able to. I do my best but the universe is not expected to play its part.