Getting "performance driven" laid off by a company

Question

Hi I am a senior engineer recently laid off by a company which is public by performance based layoff.

I recently applied for job but I do not know how to answer employment status. Last year, it seems layoff is neutral and does not affect interviews. But increasingly, I saw people sharing laid off status from "performance based" branded have had offers rescinded. (Similar Post )

Knowing that my company does not share laid off status during background check, do you think using other rationales such as "venturing into entrepreneurship / finding opportunities to upskill in AI" are ok if asked on current employment status?

Another context is that I was just employed less than 8 months. So it added to the nuances of why these are also not ideal responses.

Thank you

Alex Chiou · Accepted Answer

Nobody leaves a job in less than 8 months to pursue greener pastures like entrepreneurship and "AI upskilling" (i.e. opportunistically looking for a positive). I think that response would sound really fishy and has a large chance of hurting you during the interview.

I would simply tell them that it wasn't a good fit (i.e. leaving due to a negative). Check out a similar thread here: "How do I pursue recruiters if I was fired from my previous job?"

Getting "performance driven" laid off by a company

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