When a Tech Layoff Hits Home

It’s the 7th to last day until my contract with Amazon Games ends. At 5:55 AM, I heard one of my Yorkies pacing and panting her way through an anxiety attack in the living room. I’m a light sleeper, so I get up to see what’s set her off. She has these panic attacks for seemingly no reason, but I can’t ignore her, so I pick her up and ask her what’s wrong. I give her a calming treat and hold her, all the while wanting to get one more hour of sleep before my interview at 8. It’s not gonna happen, so I hold her until she stops shaking and then I make my way to the kitchen.

As I pull the coffee out of the cupboard and reach around to get the Brita out of the fridge, I wonder if I should bother to comb my hair just in case my interview is on camera. I’m pretty sure we decided on a traditional phone call, although rare these days. I don’t want to comb my hair, but after telling myself it’s better to be prepared and presentable just in case, I head to the bathroom to try to tie it up and for some reason, I don’t put it in a bun like I usually do. Nope. I’m done with the top bun and pull it back in a loose bun at the nape of my neck. How’s that for variety? It’s a new day, a new look. I glance approvingly at my reflection and decide on glasses instead of makeup because I don’t like wearing it anymore, but I need something to break up the blankness. I go back for my coffee and then walk to my office telling my poopies to be quiet during my interview but I’m not convinced they’ll oblige me. The call quality was not ideal at first, and I found myself suggesting we move to video. We didn’t have to, but I was glad I had decided it's always best to put your hair and face in place no matter what. You never know when you might have to change things up.

I wasn’t nervous before or during the interview. I’ve done enough of them in my lifetime to understand it’s just a conversation between two people getting to know one another and see if they meet each other’s needs. Now, that doesn’t apply to Amazon interviews, they are a whole other animal. But this interview was with a defense company and the interviewer explained she was new to interviewing which immediately made me want to make her as comfortable as possible and not intimidate her as we spoke. All went well and she did a great job. By the way, I host a webinar; “Master the Art of Interviewing” to teach job seekers the ins and outs of interviewing, how to respond to the most common interview questions and how to negotiate salary. Shameless plug? Yes. The next one will be announced soon, so stick around.

After the interview was completed, I logged onto my work laptop and went through my usual opening of Outlook, Slack, and the recruiting apps and databases, except HIRE. There’s no reason to open that anymore so I opened LinkedIn Recruiter and Hire EZ to source candidates just like I said I would until my last day. There are 114 recommendations to sift through which is great. Outlook looks good too. There are two meetings today so that will help pass the time. Initially, I wondered if I should even attend. I decided it would be wise to participate in everything I am able to while I’m still here. I have 7 days to go, and I still have something to offer to the team, not to mention they are still paying me! I don’t take this for granted.

A reminder for an event I signed up for popped up, so I clicked on it, listened for a minute or two, and made a comment about being encouraged about having an interview and recruiting activity within days of learning my contract will end early. The presenter highlighted my comment and celebrated my win with me. I then see a meeting request in Outlook with the subject line “Candidate Transition Plan” dated next Tuesday. I accept it and it fades into the background. Almost immediately thereafter I receive another meeting request for next Thursday with the subject line “Touchbase”. I accept that as well and watch it disappear with a heavy sigh. I’m in my feelings again so I go back to reviewing the recommended profiles to keep my mind busy. Note to self: research data mining.

By now, my yorkie has fully recovered and I can hear her fighting with her sister, so I head back to the living room to break them up and then get back to sourcing. I find several junior candidates so we may have to revisit the years of experience in this role. It’s 11:30 and I’m fighting the sleepies. I think it’s time for a second pot of coffee.

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