Laid off and I feel like SHIT
Hey everyone, I'm 23 and recently graduated. Started working in a pre-seed startup in January as the first Product Manager ( only 7 employees in total). It was very well funded by the CEO. Basically it's been obvious that sales hasn't been coming in and no product market fit yet. Got in as a product manager working my first job and got laid off today. They decided that demand is the prime focus and they can't afford to build anymore. So now it mostly a bunch of marketing people, ops and outsourced dev team left. They made it clear I did a great job and it had nothing to do with performance. They just simply had to cut back. This was my first job out of grad and while I learned more than a textbook will ever teach me I feel like absolute shit. Was grateful that I found something during the pandemic, but worried about going back on the job hunt again. I'd love some advice from anyone who's been laid off at startups before or any company for that matter. Just need some guidance on how to deal with this TC: 75k Past experience: internships at SAP and a bunch at Microsoft #startup #newgrad #mentalhealth
Technically there’s no ideal way to get laid off, but if I was forced to pick, this would be my preferred scenario. First of all getting laid off from a startup is very often the result of shitty decisions or mistakes made by founders/leaders that imply their idea wasn’t as good as they thought it was for several reasons. As an entry level PM you never had the level of responsibility needed to cause enough destruction to get yourself laid off in the first place. As such it is unlikely that this layoff could have been caused by something you did nor could you have done a thing to prevent it. For all intents and purposes you got laid off cause you chose the wrong shitty idea in terms of the startup you joined . It says almost nothing about you or your capabilities as a PM.
You’ll be fine. Take a week or two to digest then hit the job hunt hard. After you’ve digested, your job is now to find a job. Treat it that way (including prepping and LC ) and you’ll be fine.
I first read this as you got laid for the first time 😉
That’s next level posting about that on Blind.
Ask the CEO or others if they will help introduce you to people who can give you a job or interviews. Usually founders are well connected, so cash in on your earned trust.
Take time off It gets better
Been through a layoff too, and it’s a shitty experience no matter the role/level/company. Decompress for a week if you can before job searching with a set routine. Milk every LI connection for referrals (and post on Blind too). Good luck and hope you get back on your feet at a better company ASAP.
If there is no visa issue, being laid off at young age is almost always a blessing in disguise.
Ask people on blind for referrals
Hey Hi I am really sorry to hear that .. I was layed off not from a startup but just when Covid hit and it was April 17th 2020 still remember the day crystal clear. Just wanted to say I know it feels .. It feels like shit .. It really does !! I am happy to chat feel free to DM me :)