Got laid off? Here’s what to tell potential employers

Being on the receiving end of a layoff announcement can freak out even the most resilient employee.

You’ve gone from being securely employed with a familiar group of people around you, to suddenly finding yourself on the job hunt again with little to no warning. And for reasons you may not even fully understand.

No wonder you might feel scared, anxious, uncertain, and betrayed. Your reaction is totally understandable and natural.

When you pick yourself up and dust yourself down, the first thing to truly understand is this: being laid-off is NOT your fault. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It can happen to anyone, from that recent grad who just joined your team, to the most long-standing senior employee.

It’s also important to remember that layoffs are almost always due to factors beyond your control, and affect groups of people (rather than you specifically). Such factors might include:

• The company was facing serious financial challenges that required a workforce reduction to remain viable

• Organizational shifts like mergers, acquisitions, or new strategic directions can lead to job redundancies

• Automation and new technologies sometimes replace traditional job roles, impacting the number of employees needed

While these reasons may explain the circumstances, they don’t help you feel any better. For most people, there’s a period of mourning for a job and team lost, followed by a determination to get back on their feet and find something else. Perhaps something even better than what they had before.

What matters most for your mental and financial health is how you respond to the situation, and what you choose to do about it. These are factors fully within your control.

When you’re preparing for job interviews, you might be wondering how exactly to explain what happened. In this blog post, we’ll share three positive and constructive explanations about your layoff that you can use with potential employers.

#1 Explaining the reason for being laid-off

When sharing your layoff experience with potential employers, approach it neutrally and constructively. If you act angry, embarrassed, or try to dance around the matter, the recruiter may become suspicious and think it might not be so much of a layoff as a you off.

Here’s how to simply communicate the reason:

“The company was struggling financially and unfortunately I got caught up in the crossfire”.

This straightforward approach indicates transparency and no hard feelings, while demonstrating your understanding of the wider business context.

#2 Sharing how you grew and learned from the experience

Even though you may not see it at the time, stressful situations like layoffs are a significant opportunity to show what you’re really made of when the going gets tough.

Potential employers would far rather hear how you turned an awful situation into a learning opportunity, than listening to you recall the months spent on the sofa eating ice cream while cursing your former employer.

Here’s an example explanation:

“Despite how unexpected it was, being laid off gave me a chance to reflect on my career goals and improve my skills, which I’m excited to bring to a new role. This opportunity is exactly what I’ve been looking for to stretch myself and make a positive impact.”

By focusing on what you’ve learned, and how you can apply this to your next employer, this response demonstrates your resilience, adaptability, and readiness for new challenges. It also signals that you’re totally ready to leap into a new opportunity with a positive and inquiring mindset.

#3 Conveying what you hope to find in your next role

Unsurprisingly, being laid off can lead to you rethink your entire career direction and what you actually want out of a job. Which is no bad thing. It can also help you to explain to potential employers what inspired you to apply to that particular vacancy:

“Being laid off made me realize how vital it is to be in a role where I can make meaningful contributions and grow professionally. I’ve learned how important it is to work in a people-friendly, retention-driven environment that values continuous learning and offers opportunities for new challenges. That’s what strongly attracts me to your company and this position.”

Aside from having the right experience and qualifications, attitude and culture fit are a huge part of any hiring decision. Being able to articulate exactly what you are looking for, and why their particular organization is attractive to you, will make you stand out from others on the interview shortlist. Guaranteed.

Conclusion

Layoffs are really tough. Especially if you were with the company a long time, it can feel like you’ve lost a part of your identity.

It’s totally OK to feel a range of emotions (even conflicting ones), from depression to grief or even elation and freedom. Give yourself time to feel the feelings while figuring out what you want to do next.

And always remember, being laid off is NOT your fault.

By framing your layoff as a stepping stone to personal and professional growth, focusing on your continued development, and seeking a company whose values mirror your own, you can come out of this experience a much stronger individual.

So, keep your chin up, and embrace the chance to find a new role that even better aligns with your career ambitious and personal values.

Good luck – you’ve got this!

Key takeaways

• Being laid off is not your fault; it’s often due to factors beyond your control, such as company financial challenges, organizational shifts, or technological changes
• Approach the layoff explanation neutrally and constructively during job interviews, so that potential employers can see that you won’t bring emotional baggage with you
• Highlight how the layoff experience provided an opportunity for reflection and skill improvement, demonstrating your resilience and adaptability (which are attractive qualities to interviewers!)
• Use the layoff as a chance to rethink career goals and articulate what you’re looking for in a new role, so that you only pursue companies that align with your values and preferred culture
• Embrace the layoff as a stepping stone for personal and professional growth, one that enables continued development and finding a role you’ll be even better suited to

For more insights, tips and strategies related to this topic, be sure to read our other articles: Should You Record Your Job Termination? Pros and Cons & How to Quit Your Job Gracefully - 8 Do’s and Don’ts & How to Address Career Gaps on Your Resume - Tips & Examples

Related questions

How should I address a long employment gap caused by a layoff?

When addressing a long employment gap due to a layoff, focus on how you used that time productively. Mention any skills you developed, courses you took, or freelance work you completed. Highlighting your proactive approach during the gap can reassure employers of your commitment and ongoing professional growth.

What should I say if the layoff was due to company restructuring?

If your layoff resulted from company restructuring, explain the situation briefly and emphasize that it was unrelated to your performance. You can say, "My previous company underwent significant restructuring, which led to my position being eliminated. However, this experience has motivated me to seek new opportunities where I can contribute more effectively."

How can I differentiate myself from other candidates who were also laid off?

To stand out from other candidates who were laid off, focus on your unique achievements and skills. Share specific examples of how you added value in your previous role and how those experiences make you a strong fit for the new position. Tailoring your narrative to the job you’re applying for can help you make a compelling case.

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