Navigating Lay-Offs in the Tech Industry: My Experience and What It Means

As an Android/Flutter software engineer with over 11 years of experience in various industries, I have seen my fair share of lay-offs throughout my career. Currently, I am “potentially affected” by my company’s cost-cutting measures, and I will soon be unemployed.

However, rather than wallow in self-pity, I am taking this opportunity to reflect on my experience and explore the potential it could bring.

My Mobile Experience

Throughout my career, I have been focused on crafting and ensuring the quality of native Android applications. While I was not interested in expanding my knowledge to backend or web development, I was always eager to push myself to become a pro in my area.

Later on, I discovered the Flutter framework, which was presented by Google, the same company that owns Android. With over three years of experience using Flutter, I decided to achieve another milestone and work for a FAANG company.

The self-education process was initially intimidating, but it has been the best thing that could have happened to me as I have learned more than I ever expected.

Lay-Offs History

I have experienced three layoffs throughout my career, and I don’t believe that it will be the last. The world is constantly changing, and the economy is not always stable. Even the tech industry is not infinite and immortal.

My first lay-off happened back in 2015 when I worked for Samsung R&D Ukraine. It felt personal and was a bit of a bummer. However, because of the political situation in my home country, some exact conditions were not met, and the company had to cut staff, moving some roles to India or Korea.

It was a shocking experience, but as I was in my home country, I was able to return home, and in a month, I found another position. Doors were opened for me.

My second lay-off happened while I was working for a UK-based startup called Qwil Messenger. It was an amazing experience working with so many talented personalities and on a new tech stack (Flutter was not even released for public usage yet).

The leadership was transparent and open to explaining the reason for the lay-off. I learned that layoffs are not because of your skills or personality; it is merely a business decision.

The third time I experienced a lay-off happened recently, due to Instagram’s staff shortage in London, where I was working. The experience was unexpected and not ideal, but the leadership was transparent about the situation. Although I was supposed to change teams and organisations twice already, the transactions were ultimately reverted. While it may feel unfair, it is a matter of fate. However, I am in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa, so I am working on my next steps.

Keep in Mind

Facing a layoff can be a difficult experience, but it’s important to keep a few things in mind.

Firstly, it’s essential to understand that redundancy is not the same as being fired, and it does not reflect on your skills or performance. It’s a business decision, and even the most skilled and valuable employees may be impacted.

Secondly, it can be a shock, but it’s important to focus on what you can control, such as updating your resume and networking to find new opportunities. Companies may be generous with severance packages, so it’s important to know your rights. If you are on a work visa, it’s crucial to start working on obtaining a new one as soon as possible. In the UK, the process involves notification (announcing the redundancy), selection of representatives (1 week to find the best representatives of employees to work on severance package with HR), consultation (1–2 months of discussion of the severance), and a notice period/garden leave (1–3 months).

Finally, it’s important not to idealise any company and remember that leaving one job doesn’t mean the end of your career. A lay-off can be a new beginning and an opportunity to start fresh in a new role or even a new industry.

Summary

In summary, being laid off from a big tech company is not the end of the world. It can be an opportunity to learn new skills, explore other areas of technology, and potentially find a more fulfilling role at a different company. It is important to remember that no company is perfect and to avoid idealising any one organisation. Ultimately, a lay-off is a business decision and does not reflect on your personal worth or value as an employee. Keep an open mind and stay focused on your goals, and you may find that a lay-off can be a chance for a fresh start.