ShavingsMakeAPile profile picture
ShavingsMakeAPile profile picture

ShavingsMakeAPile

Enterprise AE

Executive
Fire Starter
Contributor
+2

When To Disclose Being Laid Off Due To Restructure (if at all)

Would love to hear any and all feedback on when to disclose being laid off due to restructure - be open with it from the beginning, wait until asked, don't disclose at all?


Also, what are some of the best explanations for it when interviewing if you do disclose?

👥 Hiring
🎙 Interviews/Podcasts
☂️ Layoffs
11

13 comments

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ShavingsMakeAPile
Executive
7
Enterprise AE
All very solid advice, thanks war room team.

Seems as through sales leaders are interested in your take & opinion on it - they will ask some version of "what are your thoughts as to the layoffs and why you were included in them?"

From everything I have heard from friends who are sales leaders, as long as you have a solid and objective point of view as to how or why, you should be all good. They also said don't lean into it but don't shy away from it either - treat it as you would gaps in a resume or switching jobs often and have a sound reasoning behind it.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
5
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Exactly. It’s a data point, but just a data point. You are still interviewing for a role with the new company, which means needing to convey why you are the best choice for them, and why you are interested in working for them - which goes far beyond “I have to find a job”. Stay as positive as possible, and focus on the value you bring. Best of luck.
oldcloser
Arsonist
3
💀
An afterthought, but maybe worthy of mention: You referred to the people in a position to make hiring decisions as sales leaders. While some may he, some are just sales managers. Managers manage things. Leaders lead people. I think it’s important to determine which type is in the room with you before going too far in any direction.

A manager will be interested in your KPIs (can you be pushed?)
A leader will want to know whether you’re someone they can inspire. (can you be pulled?)

If you read it correctly, the layoff thing gets much smaller.
CPTAmerica
Opinionated
3
President/CRO
Yep, I think that's right. The facts are the facts so don't try to hide them. Personally I like to see some honesty from a candidate here. Not the old "I was the top rep every month but they let me go because I was making too much commission.. the CEO's daughter got my job.. the HR manager didn't like me." All those are right up there with the dog eating your homework; it's possible that it's true but pretty unlikely.
oldcloser
Arsonist
5
💀
Did you hear about the 10,000 that were laid off because of the restructure? Yep, I was #8,459. The cuts were done by seniority. I had done X, Y, and Z. Thought THAT kind of performance would have taken me out of line. But they kept it “fair.”

For an answer that perhaps fits a bit better, a little more context would be helpful. Sorry, dude.
CadenceCombat
Tycoon
4
Account Executive
Nothing wrong with disclosing you’ve been laid off as long as you also accept that this approach takes away most of the leverage you might have when discussing salary. But, you might not have much leverage regardless with how ample the talent pool is right now.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
4
Sales Rep
Seems like most advice I have read mentions don’t lead with I was laid off. However when the topic pops up, mention you were laid off and it’s unfortunate but you are excited for this opportunity because of xyz
jefe
Arsonist
1
🍁
Agreed. Nothing wrong with honesty but I would absolutely NOT lead with it.
FinanceEngineer
Politicker
3
Sr Director, sales and partnerships
You can disclose it whenever you like. It tends to be a negative to a lot of hiring managers, but a good amount don’t care. I would only state if you are asked.
Pachacuti
Politicker
3
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Wait till you are asked. Don’t volunteer it but don’t hide it. It is what it is.
Maximas
Tycoon
1
Senior Sales Executive
Just say it whenever being asked about it ,I mean it has absolutely nothing to do with either your performance or behavior,so nothing to be ashamed of!
Space_Ghost20
Valued Contributor
1
Account Executive
For me, I mentioned it early on. They laid off the entire AE team at my company, along with 45% of the entire company. And this was after they laid off 30% of the company 2 months earlier. Made it clear it was a company issue.

I think for the most part, it does kill any interest they might have had in you as a candidate. So I don't blame anyone for lying about it. But I had spent less than a year at my prior two companies (I had what I believed to be good reasons for leaving) so I figured it would be better to look like I was laid off vs being a job hopper.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
0
🦊
Layoffs unfortunately are not an uncommon thing, especially right now. If they ask about a gap be honest, but end with a positive spin of how excited you are to move forward with them.

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