I'm laid off - do I pretend I'm still working to look better for job interviews?

Isn't it better to have a job while looking for a job? Should I pretend I'm still at the startup that just laid-off 6 of us?

👥 Hiring
🎯 Career Development
42
Pachacuti
Politicker
33
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Don’t update your LI till you land the new job.

But don’t lie if asked directly.
jefe
Arsonist
7
🍁
This is the best course of action. Dishonesty is bad. A bit of inaction is okay
aiko
Politicker
4
Sr. Account Executive
This shouldn't bother them either
oldcloser
Arsonist
3
💀
This ✅
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
3
Bravado's Resident Asshole
100% the answer
GDO
Politicker
1
BDM
perfect answer
DataCorrupter
Politicker
9
Account Executive
Unpopular opinion: I've been out for a few months, and in most cases, I let them think I'm still working at the former company. Why? I think most of the recruiters believe being let go AT ALL is due to performance. IMO, A lot of them don't have the experience of actually being inside these start-ups. I've found that any time I've shared that info it wasn't well received, even though I'd been a top performer there and elsewhere. So now, I just skip that all together. I find that most don't ask directly and when they ask about the company I speak in the present tense "the company is doing A, B, C" not "when I was there..."

I'm not doing this for all of them, but most, yes.

My last company is doing progressive lay offs, so if I'm ever caught up, I will just say I was cut in the latest round.

My reasoning is this, I've been among the best wherever I've been, and I'm not going to let the job pipeline run dry because some recruiters have uninformed hard/fast rules. Once I interview, I perform highly and so no one will need to know at that point

*rant: complete*
user4323
Executive
0
Sales manager
But in case you get an offer, won’t they run some sort of a check with your previous employer and somehow find out when you officially stopped working for them?
SPT
Valued Contributor
0
Director, Channel Sales & Partner Alliances
I wonder about this, too.
thestartupsaasfella
Member
0
Vice President of Sales
If they do a background check they may call to verify employment and confirm when you worked there. Playing with fire a bit here.
Rosie
Catalyst
0
Sales Director
This is the thing really. UNLESS you call the one who fired and ask them not to disclose that information.
HVACexpert
Politicker
6
sales engineer
If they ask specifically while interviewing? Don’t lie. But don’t broadcast it either.
SPT
Valued Contributor
3
Director, Channel Sales & Partner Alliances
Thanks. I had an interview yesterday, the screening interview with HR, and I pretended I still had my job. I just think I will look more 'valuable' in their eyes.
oldcloser
Arsonist
3
💀
You may well get the "why are you looking to leave" question. Then you may get crossed up. That one takes some well-finessed bullshit if you go this route. Better to tell the truth in this case.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
2
🦊
EXACTLY THIS HVAC
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
4
Sales Rep
Tell them when asked, but make it 100% clear you arent just looking but excited for X company because xyz
fidelcashflow
Catalyst
3
Account Executive
This backfired on me. I stopped getting responses and next rounds once I said I was no longer at my most recent company.
SPT
Valued Contributor
0
Director, Channel Sales & Partner Alliances
So it's best to "pretend" one is still employed?
HiddenLeadership
Executive
3
Snr Director of Sales
Always act like you have options. If you're interviewing within a couple of months of being laid off, lie. No one will know and anyone who says dishonestly is bad has never gone through a lay off process. If you you're too available, they'll never act with urgency.
Space_Ghost20
Valued Contributor
2
Account Executive
I think you can get away with it for the rest of the month, and maybe next month as well. But as others have said, don't broadcast it, but also don't lie if asked directly.
SalesPharaoh
Big Shot
2
Senior Account Executive
Guess what...telling the truth will only hurt you man..if you are not on good terms with previous management get your buddy a beer and give the hr his number so hed recommend you.Always update your LI once you land a new role. Pretend that you are working. Without saying it...by pushing interviews post work times or in lunch breaks things like that.
SPT
Valued Contributor
1
Director, Channel Sales & Partner Alliances
Smart! Thanks!
ThatNewAE
Big Shot
2
Account Executive - Mid enterprise
Yes - let it be up until you are getting the severance. Why you ask - fuck the company that laid off, why should you pay for something that wasn't your fault.
Have a good narrative. But if you are asked - don't lie.
Diablo
Politicker
1
Sr. AE
Sorry to hear that, hope you get something soon
SPT
Valued Contributor
2
Director, Channel Sales & Partner Alliances
Thank you 🙏Some good people were let go - all the sales & Marketing in our 20 person side of a 45 person startup.
dadasaurus
Opinionated
1
Enterprise Account Executive
You can do this for a short time; 6 weeks ok, 8 weeks possible but you have to do it right and that's pushing it a bit. Bottom line, you have to get moving quick.
ApocalyBoom
Politicker
1
Account Executive
If they specifically ask for an interview? I wont lie but dont post either.
theBoilersYear
Executive
1
Account Executive
Completely depends on your current situation. If you want to create and act with urgency, I found my recent job via a connection on LI after announcing that I was a free agent.

I also had a colleague RIF'd at the same time as me who took the approach many have outlined by taking inaction but looking. In my experience they moved about two weeks slower than I did from updating and sharing on my LI that i was opentowork.
wolfofmiami
Opinionated
1
🐺
When I got laid off, it all depended on the vibe I got from the hiring manager, where I would lie and say I still had a job or tell them I was part of a mass layoff. Honesty is the best policy though, the job I took I told the truth, I got offered at a company I lied to, and I didn't that one, because I lied to the manager, and that's a bad way to start a relationship.
ilovemondays
Executive
1
Senior Account Executive
Never lie, it will take you to toxic companies.
1
Account Executive & Channel Manager
I’m getting certifications, reading, and learning new skills wile looking for a job.
SPT
Valued Contributor
0
Director, Channel Sales & Partner Alliances
Andres, Are you finding the job market very tough right now? I am! And, which certifications do you reccomend?
1
Account Executive & Channel Manager
It is tough! I'm doing a Cybersecurity Certification, Salesforce Sales Operations, AWS Fundamental, Azure Fundamentals, Training on MEDDIC to name a few.
1
Retired Sales Professional
Keep it real!!!
Beans
Big Shot
0
Enterprise Account Executive
Keep your current position active.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
0
🦊
💯
bigfella
Tycoon
0
AE (Account Executive)
No - Be honest
Gavinbelson
Good Citizen
0
Account Executive
I’d be honest when asked. I was part of a RIF and every interview basically started off with some form of why are you leaving your company etc.

My experience may have been different from others but I don’t think it was held against me. One VP of sales even said you’re not alone in this market. Just have your story ready and spin it to your advantage with examples and numbers to back it up.
alwayzbizzie
Executive
0
Senior Manager, Mid-Market Sales
I’ve interviewed a ton of candidates that have been laid off this year. You should absolutely tell the truth, update your resume, and show that you are open to work on LinkedIn. No use in hiding if you are really looking for work.
0
Lead Generation Expert
Dishonesty is not a solution, maybe you need to spend sometime and see if everything is good or not.
0
Director of Sales and Marketing
Be careful, a lot of companies make you go through pre-employment screening and verifying employment.
Hitthabricks
Executive
0
Enterprise Account Executive
I wouldn’t tell them unless they directly ask if you’re still there. Very doubtful they will
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