How would you broach recent layoff in promising interview?

[Anonymous]

In my experience, “Tell me about yourself” is almost always the opener for any interview. If this comes up, how do I broach my September layoff - do I say something like “most recently, I did x,y, and z” and not name it directly, or do I say “before my recent layoff, I did x, y, and z”?

I’m very excited for this opportunity and don’t want to bungle this small component (I was only in the role for 6 months so would hope it’s obvious but just unclear on the best way to handle this). TIA.

[Anonymous]

If you are getting to the interview stage they already know you arent working now so I probably wouldnt mention it but I would have a response prepared for a question about why you left your last job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are getting to the interview stage they already know you arent working now so I probably wouldnt mention it but I would have a response prepared for a question about why you left your last job.

Fair enough. I was laid off due to extreme revenue issues - do I get into any detail or is a simple “I was laid off” sufficient?

[Anonymous]

I was laid off due to business conditions.

[Anonymous]

I would not mention it. It’s pretty recent. Just “my most recent role was XYZ”

If asked directly why I left my last job, I would be honest and direct. “Well, I value honesty - the truth is I was part of a large scale layoff. My previous employer , like many right now, is navigating a very challenging financial landscape. I’m glad my skills are so applicable in the market and even though my time at Xcode was short, I had a great time and was able to build my strength in Y and Z.”

My team recently hired an applicant who was laid off. We didn’t ask, but she volunteered that info as part of a narrative about why she was pivoting fields slightly and how the layoff had prompted her to look down some new and exciting paths she may not have otherwise thought about. What I liked about her is she was just very authentic, calm and confident and did not seem like she was begging for consideration. So, it is definitely possible to navigate the topic successfully. The key is not to seem desperate, or like you are overcompensating for it.

[Anonymous]

Do not bring it up. Nobody asks about a layoff anymore as it is everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not mention it. It’s pretty recent. Just “my most recent role was XYZ”

If asked directly why I left my last job, I would be honest and direct. “Well, I value honesty - the truth is I was part of a large scale layoff. My previous employer , like many right now, is navigating a very challenging financial landscape. I’m glad my skills are so applicable in the market and even though my time at Xcode was short, I had a great time and was able to build my strength in Y and Z.”

My team recently hired an applicant who was laid off. We didn’t ask, but she volunteered that info as part of a narrative about why she was pivoting fields slightly and how the layoff had prompted her to look down some new and exciting paths she may not have otherwise thought about. What I liked about her is she was just very authentic, calm and confident and did not seem like she was begging for consideration. So, it is definitely possible to navigate the topic successfully. The key is not to seem desperate, or like you are overcompensating for it.

I wouldn’t say “I value honesty—the truth is…” Those things go without saying.
If it comes up, just say you were laid off due to the company’s revenue problems, then pivot as PP suggests. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

You are not at all at fault for your layoff. Saying it because it seems like you have the tiniest bit of undeserved shame. I also wouldn’t say ‘due to’ - layoff only if they ask why left sufficient.

[Anonymous]

Employers want to know if you are currently working…and if you aren’t working, you better believe they want to know why.

I absolutely would quickly state I was laid off along with dozens/hundreds of employees during to a massive reorg/restructure related to XYZ. If you can pin it on federal funding being cut or something recognizable like that, the interviewer will immediately understand and nothing will be held against you.

[Anonymous]

Let them bring it up.
And if they do your response is curteous succinct and professional … I enjoyed my previous role doing x y z, unfortunately it was impacted by the layoff, however it’s given me the opportunity to focus my search on abc which this role entails.