For some tech pros, the latest layoffs by big tech firms were a painful d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu. They\u2019re posting online about being laid off two, three, even four times over the last few years. Can these demoralized technology pros who keep getting laid off break the cycle?<\/p>\n
Truth be told, layoffs are becoming a more normalized part of the \u201cecosystem\u201d in big tech companies, so mitigation is often the better strategy when avoidance isn\u2019t feasible.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the long term, there really are no safe companies or jobs,\u201d explained Nick Corcodilos, host of the \u201cAsk the Headhunter\u201d podcast.<\/p>\n
Despite the obstacles, it is possible to minimize the risk of being laid off again. Here\u2019s a look at some ways to break the cycle.<\/p>\n
Assess the Underlying Causes<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t automatically blame yourself or assume that you were laid off because of your work performance.<\/p>\n
If the layoffs impacted thousands of people and resulted from your employer\u2019s financial difficulties, strategic changes or over\u2011hiring, your best bet is to adjust your target list and job search with intention in today\u2019s dynamic environment.<\/p>\n
However, if you were one of the few cut from your team or department, this is the perfect time for introspection and an honest assessment of the root causes. Breaking out of a pattern requires recognizing and actively changing repetitive circumstances or decisions that are no longer serving you.<\/p>\n
\u201cWas it really the right fit for you?\u201d asked Rachel Serwetz, career\u2011exploration coach and founder of WOKEN.<\/p>\n
Being stuck in the wrong role or situation at work can make you more vulnerable to layoffs. Were you growing professionally, learning new skills or bringing new tech and leadership to the company? If you weren\u2019t thriving but merely surviving, or simply functioning, then this is a good time to pivot to something new.<\/p>\n
Making a career shift or pivot to a new specialty or industry doesn\u2019t require you to be at the height of your career, Serwetz said. Even better, you don\u2019t need to start over. Career pivoting is about shifting direction using the foundation you\u2019ve already built.<\/p>\n
While there\u2019s no guarantee, numerous studies show that satisfied employees are more engaged and motivated, leading to higher productivity levels and longer tenure. Being in the right position and culture can help professionals overcome negative work habits or cycles like burnout or layoffs.<\/p>\n
Prioritize Durability<\/p>\n
Forget about looking for the next hot thing. Analyze potential employers like an investor.<\/p>\n
Assess the financial health of a company and its history of layoffs before deciding whether to add it to your target list. Some research suggests that companies that have laid off employees once are more likely to do so again.<\/p>\n
Non\u2011cyclical industries that provide essential goods and services\u2014food, health care, defense, financial services and utilities\u2014tend to be more stable. Even some areas within technology, such as cybersecurity and cloud computing, are expected to be resilient.<\/p>\n
\u201cWatch out for job\u2011search scope creep,\u201d Serwetz warned. Sometimes when people get laid off multiple times, they start applying to anything and everything. Taking the first job offered\u2014rather than one that aligns with your long\u2011term career goals\u2014increases your chances of being laid off again.<\/p>\n
Work Closest to the Dollar<\/p>\n
Tech pros who are seen as essential contributors, rather than overhead, are more likely to be retained.<\/p>\n
Playing an integral role in the company\u2019s success and doing things that others cannot makes you more valuable, and frankly, it gives you greater control over your fate.<\/p>\n
Whether it\u2019s a promotion, a transition to a mission\u2011critical project or a shift to a new role or organization, you can break a job\u2011loss pattern by selecting work that is strategically important to the organization and offers both high impact and high visibility.<\/p>\n
Be Proactive and Take Control<\/p>\n
Having a legitimate side hustle can diversify your income, hedge against job loss and increase your professional network.<\/p>\n
One of the best ways to exercise control over your career\u2014and potentially avoid future layoffs\u2014is to start your own business. Many tech pros use a side hustle to test the waters, develop new skills and then transition to a full\u2011time venture.<\/p>\n
At the very least, spending time with people who do the work you want to do can provide the chance to change jobs proactively or land a new opportunity quickly should the worst happen.<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t need to be searching for a job all the time (which can be exhausting). What\u2019s critical is to consistently make new contacts and stay connected with your existing network.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf networking feels \u2018icky,\u2019 you\u2019re doing it wrong,\u201d Corcodilos said. Seek opinions or ask others for advice about creating a business plan. Don\u2019t ask for job leads\u2014talk shop.<\/p>\n
In today\u2019s environment, you have to be ready to change employers at the drop of a hat. Recognize that, no matter what happens, you can control your ability to move quickly and be an expert in your field. Being \u201cin demand\u201d and having options gives you the confidence to break the cycle.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For some tech pros, the latest layoffs by big tech firms were a painful d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu. They\u2019re posting…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9544,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[28,134],"class_list":{"0":"post-9543","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-jobs","8":"tag-business","9":"tag-jobs"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9543","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9543"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9543\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9544"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9543"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9543"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9543"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}