At the end of last month, I did an analysis of the layoffs that are happening in technology companies and offered free coaching sessions for those who had gone through mass layoffs and believed that a coaching session with me could be of some help. First, I want to thank you for your interest, the available slots filled up within a few hours. I had very nice conversations, and I will summarize here the points that appeared in these conversations that may be useful for more people:

• As the market is more difficult, this is not the best time to change segments. For example, if, in your experience, you worked with health-related products, you are more likely to have better chances when applying for health vacancies in health companies than applying to vacancies in other segments such as education or fintech. Those who are hiring are looking for people who are able to contribute from day 1. A year ago, there was room for this type of movement from one business segment to the other. Now there is not so much space.
• When applying for a vacancy, also send an inmail (email via Linkedin) to the recruiter explaining points of your previous experience that most qualify you for that vacancy. Think that the recruiter is getting a very large amount of interested people. Hence, the more you facilitate the match between the vacancy and your qualifications, the more you will be facilitating the recruiter’s work, and the greater the chances of her calling you.
• Try to make clear in your Linkedin profile the products you’ve worked on and the results you’ve achieved with your product. This way, you will make clear your previous results.
• In case you have worked in a consultancy and cannot disclose the name of the clients where you worked, quote something like “big company in the xyz segment” to situate the market with which you have experience.
• Another interesting opportunity that can be explored is the previous companies where you worked. If it was a good experience for both you and the company, it might make sense to resume contact and, who knows, explore the possibility of returning.
• If you have received a good exit package or are able to spend some time without a constant monthly income, maybe this is an excellent time to get that idea out of the drawer and start to develop it. You can even partner with people who were laid off, with whom you already worked and had a good experience working together. I know some people who have done this and are very happy with the new phase they are living in. By the way, McKinsey recently published the 4th edition of its LatAm Digital Report Startup Study. In its last slide, it reinforces the point that a moment of crisis is a very propitious moment for the creation of new ventures.

Slide from McKinsey report showing the opportunity that exists in times of crisis

I continue following the announcements of mass layoffs and the numbers from Layoffs Brasil and Layoffs.fyi. April numbers show a nice drop from March. . 🙌

Brazil:

• April: 13 companies and 682 people laid off
• March: 22 companies and 1,676 people laid off
• February: 37 companies and 3,226 people laid off
• February was the worst month in the last 15 months

Tech layoffs Brazil in 2022-2023

World:

• April: 65 companies and 17,926 people laid off
• March: 115 companies and 37,077 people laid off
• February: 175 companies and 39,031 people laid off
• January was the worst month in the last 15 months

Tech layoffs in 2022-2023

Keep in mind that these numbers are reported by people and companies, so they may be incomplete.

Although the numbers are improving, there are still people being impacted by mass layoffs. As a result, in addition to the free vacancies that I have opened in my courses for people who have gone through a layoff, I will again open a schedule every working day in May for those who have gone through a mass layoff and believe that a coaching session with me can help in a way some way.

No cost.

To schedule, just access my calendar and book your coaching session.

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