I’m in finance & accounting. Was laid off from public SaaS company in May. Received 2 months severance. I had a sense it was coming so my resume was already updated. I started going to the gym regularly and applying for jobs. I used to do resume and cover letter. But then ditched the cover letter since I noticed I was still getting interviews with resume only. I only had one version of resume and applied to roles I was qualified for or had experience in. On occasion I applied to things I felt were a stretch for kicks and giggles. I applied only via greenhouse or direct on LinkedIn. Which many times uses greenhouse. If a company required me to create a un/pw (usually if it uses Workday for hiring) then I just wouldn’t apply. Unless it was a well known company. (Like Autodesk or Salesforce). Initially I was getting interviews at the same level (sr director) but toward end of year it was rare to see postings. So I also applied to director level as well. A job at a down level is better than no job at all is how i see it. I focused my search on SaaS/tech companies that were still remote. Many companies are hybrid or RTO now. But still a good amount that are remote. One company gave me a case to work on as final round but before I could present it, they already gave offer and candidate accepted. So bad luck there. Another rejected me after I presented the case. I did well on the case but they felt I didn’t have enough experience at Sr Director level to really drive influence. Lead a team. One company put the position on hold after final rounds. I was top choice but they were about to do restructuring so put on hold. After a couple months, they just announced layoffs this past Monday. (Hint it was either Spotify or Twilio). Ultimately I took an offer at another public SaaS company but at a Director level (don’t want to say cuz it’s not that large and very little hiring being done right now, so will easily get doxxed. My total comp is about the same as my last job at Sr Director level. But that is because my last company stock tanked. But if I compare offers between both, it’s like a 25% drop of stock was flat to when I got offer at last company. I’m still remote. Get a paycheck. And will bide my time before I try to level back up. Let’s see when things pick back up. When they do, I’ll be back out there TC chasing. I know a lot of folks who were laid off beginning of this year, still looking. Keep your head up. It’s rough out there. So it’s not you!!! Keep dropping resumes. Try to get referrals. Do your part. And hopefully things break your way soon. Wish you all the best! If you have questions, comment below and I’ll answer best I can. PS: I got strong af too. Put on 15 pounds of muscle. New TC: $300k YOE: 12
Well done, congrats! Thanks for sharing!
Congrats and thanks for the encouragement! I am going through a similar phase. I know this too shall pass. Btw, what did you say when companies asked you why you left your job and what have you done with your time during this time? Some suggestions and encouragement would help.
My company had 2 waves of layoffs. So I told them the truth, which is I was impacted by the 2nd round of layoffs. They never asked me what I’ve been up to in this time off. I mean, we just looking for a new job and that takes up quite a bit of time. Especially if you have phone screens and interviews on top of just dropping resumes. Looking out for job postings. Etc. If they did ask, I’d tell them I’m going to gym regularly. Eating better. So taking care of physical health I’ve been neglecting from working too much in the past. And I did start taking classes to become a real estate agent. Hoping to get into real estate investing eventually and can save 3% on buying/selling properties. Overall I’d say be honest. But have something in your back pocket you can point to. Like sharpening up sql skills. Or JavaScript. Or excel modeling. Whatever field you’re in. Something relevant so it seems like you’re trying to keep your skills sharp.
1. Congrats 2. Nobody sane submits cover letters. Such a boomer move 3. I’ve been working out for 15 years. You didn’t put on 15 pounds of muscle unless you can show us right now that you’re not above 10% body fat. Newbie gains or not that’s not pure muscle. You put on at most 7, but likely not even. The rest is fat and water
1. Thanks 2. Haha. In the past. I used to find if I blindly applied online, a cover letter helped get me a phone screen with HR. If I had a referral then didn’t need it. Referrals usually get me a phone screen with resume only. Now, the companies I’ve applied to are like 5K employees or less. So usually recruiters view my application and do phone screens. Although each job opening has like 100+ applicants in just a day or two. So it’s wild out there. Another reason hard for ppl to get jobs. Cuz so many ppl applying. 3. Fair enough. I’ve gained 15 pounds. I’ve always been on the skinny side. If I don’t go to gym, I lose weight. From 155 to 170. This is the most I’ve ever weighed in my life. I was doing dumbbell press with 85 pound dumbbells. Also a PR for me. My goal is to bench 275 max, and squat 315 max by end of year. I’m close but don’t think I’ll get there by end of year at current rate
15 lbs of muscle?!?! Which steroids Congrats on the gains and the offer tho
Haha. 15 pounds in 6 months. So nothing crazy. 155 to 170. I wish some weight went to my calves. But unfortunately, you either have them or you don’t. Very hard to gain them with calf exercises.
Congratulations on your success, OP! I’m happy you were able to continue working remote, even with all of the hybrid and RTO jobs coming up. TC: 105K
needed this motivation post today.. tha KS and congrats
Thank you for the motivation…i’ve been looking for 6 months now without much success.
Goood fucking job OP!
Congratulations! 🎊💪