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PaperclipPerfector  8d ago (text post)   2707 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for September 21, 2025

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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I would like advice in case I am laid off this week. My tech company is likely laying off a substantial part of its workforce on Wednesday—rumors are between 10-30% of certain divisions, including mine. While I suspect I am safe because of my relatively low pay and young age, I want to be prepared in case I am affected. I have six months of living expenses in my bank account, not counting unemployment benefits.

My plan if I am laid off (in rough order):

  1. File for unemployment benefits

  2. Re-evaluate my rough budget and cut out any optional expenses (basically left with rent, food, internet, etc)

  3. Update my LinkedIn, including responding to various recruiters messages that have been sitting in my inbox

  4. Update my resume

  5. Start applying for jobs like it's my job. Market appears to be brutal. Any strategies for bypassing automated screenings or similar?

Thoughts? Additions? General advice?

Any strategies for bypassing automated screenings or similar?

Networking. Make a list of your Linkedin contacts and where they work today. If it's something relevant for you, and they know who you are (otherwise why would they be in your Linkedin?), send them a nice message asking for internal referral. Doesn't matter if you haven't talked to them for ages - just say something "we were colleagues once, now I am looking for job, does your company hire? Could there be something you could refer me for?" something like that. Worst thing, they would refuse or ignore and you wasted one email message. Best case, you have a good way around most initial screens.

Also, being fired is super stressful. There's no way around it. Take time to self-care and do whatever helps for you - the gym, walks, music, food, whatever it is - take time to self-care. Financial par is important, but psychological part is no less important.

Networking

I don't know how common references are in your field these days, but it'd probably be good to trade non-work contact info with colleagues who would be willing to be references for each other if necessary. It's common to lose access to corporate resources immediately in these situations today, so it might be hard to get the phone number of the guy one desk over who you've worked with daily.

OP: it sucks, I've been through it. Take solace in that it's not about you as a developer, and doesn't reflect on your abilities.

This is a great idea. Thanks!

I should clarify that I'm not a developer, but an equipment and process engineer in a semiconductor fab, so tech-y but not "tech" in the traditional sense. Regardless, thanks for the kind words.

I've heard that's a tough field in terms of work-life balance. There does seem to be a lot of US interest in it of late (I guess I can't speak to the last 6 months), at least moreso than a decade or so back. I wish you the best of luck!

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