FloatingBagel

Laid off and preparing for interviews

It has been 25 days since I got laid off from the startup that I was working for. I have given a few interviews. Got rejected in 1st or 2nd rounds in a few, went till the last round n rejected in a couple and haven't heard back from the HR in a few. Not hearing back, unanswered calls, delays in rounds etc. cause a lot of anxiety and impacts my confidence and preparation levels. How do I tackle it? Also, unable to find fresh openings in product/ strategy roles for past few days. This also adds to pressure and uncertainty.

In short, it is a very troubling phase. How do I deal with it? Need enormous help from all of you folks. Would love to hear some great thoughts / insights / hacks too.

13mo ago

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ZestyPanda

Alteryx13mo

Helped out a friend recently and here's what worked and what didn't

there are too many people trying to apply to very limited positions these days - particularly junior devs with less than 2 yrs of experience. The senior ones, particularly 5+ yoe will have it quite easier
cold DMs work. Don't cold DM on LinkedIn to HRs. They are mostly spammed a lot and also not all of them are helpful.
cold DM to the manager or VP of the team where there's a position, or possibility of one. They have the power and budget to make considerations. For startups, DM to founders/CTO to get an interview.
for reputed places, only referral works. Application via portal goes to a black hole. Find a friend, or ask a junior dev via LinkedIn who isn't overwhelmed with messages for help.
keep giving mock interviews. Seniors/friends help.
at some places, it's okay to ask someone higher up for help. They have the power to create positions and can do that for good folks.
don't panic and settle for 50% paycut. 10-20% is okay. Go for startups. You can jump ship when the market gets better.
follow up shamelessly. Give a pause of 4-5 days and follow up if you don't hear back.
most companies might not entertain your application and can take couple of weeks for the process. But once you get one offer, ask them "i want to join you but have another offer where joining is from next Monday (or some day). Please close the process this week." Companies do push and try to expedite. Idk why, but they kinda like poaching people with counter offers.

GroovyMarshmallow

Stealth13mo

Hi, I almost spent 4-6 months in this phase. There is nothing anyone can say that can ease the trouble you might be facing. But just wait, if you get rejected just work on what is missing. This helps you to grow in the role also figure out what went wrong in the previous role. I worked out on what I was doing wrong and realised a lot of gaps in my craft. Keep working on it. Keep yourself sane and take logical steps. Analyse and ask for feedback. Sometimes just bad cards are dealt in life. You definitely will get time to also understand with how this employment works (sometimes it’s your fault sometimes it’s just the way things are).

But one thing is for sure, if you stick with it and believe in the process, there definitely will be a time soon when you will have to choose from multiple offers.

TwirlyLlama

Stealth13mo

More then anything I guess what is bothering you is uncertainty
I am sure you would have faced uncertainty many times in your life Relate to it.. Did it last for ever . You did many things some worked , some did not
Eventually YOU got out of it .. you too will this time

FloatingBagel

Stealth13mo

So true.....this is what I tell myself now

DizzyLlama

Stealth13mo

What can I say bro I'm also in a messy situation right now. All the best to you, I hope you post another post soon after getting what you want.

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