Good Skills Are Not a Shield Against Layoffs 

Some hold senior management positions with expertise and performance consistently exceed expectations during performance review. Others even confidently believed their abilities would keep them safe amidst the layoff wave, but reality has proven otherwise. 

Shocking, unexpected layoffs 

On LinkedIn, the professional networking platform, Tiffany Wang, who used to work for Meta, shared: “After 8 years, 1 month, and 1 day, my employment at Meta was terminated ‘due to performance’ issues.” 

She recounted receiving the email from senior management, which not only shocked her but also completely devastated her. “My most recent performance review was ‘exceeds expectations’ in the mid-year evaluation. I never received any indication that I wasn’t performing my job well; in fact, I was on track for a promotion. This can’t be right!” Tiffany Wang wrote. 

Meanwhile, in Vietnam, an account under the name L.P., who holds a management position, was confident in not being laid off due to the achievements brought to the company. The performance reviews consistently exceeded expectations with numerous initiatives which received much positive feedback from superiors and colleagues. 

“Many people said that I helped the company’s performance skyrocket. Yet, one day I found myself on the layoff list. I couldn’t imagine the company could lay off an employee like this.” the account wrote. 

Being Good Isn’t Enough! 

Ms. Nguyễn Thị Quỳnh Phương, Human Capital Solutions Director at Talentnet Corporation, said that the principle of talents still holds true. However, in the current context, being good is not enough; one also needs to be a good fit. Strong capabilities are no longer a “shield” protecting someone from the risk of job loss. There are many reasons why even high-performing employees who bring value to the company can still be included in the reduction list. 

According to Ms. Phương, the constant change in the market leads to the definition of “strong capabilities” is also constantly evolving. For example, as businesses undergo digital transformation, the skills and knowledge to master technology are new capabilities that are now required of talented employees. 

The “fit” factor is also very important. An employee may be talented in their field, with strong capabilities and outstanding performance, but if they are not compatible with the company’s development direction, they can still be laid off. 

After losing a job, the most important thing is one’s mindset and the ability to accept reality. Employees should understand that businesses need to make changes according to the market, and they are part of that fluctuation. However, opportunities are always open for those with abilities, skills, experience, and an open mind. 

Finances are also a factor to consider. According to experts, if one has a financial reserve, they can more easily find a new direction with financial peace of mind in the short term. Therefore, have a financial buffer ready to ensure stability for at least 3-6 months, no matter what happens. 

Rebuilding Personal Brand 

For talented individuals holding senior management positions in a company, sudden layoffs can lead to psychological shock, especially damaging their self-esteem and causing a sense of career disorientation. According to Ms. Quỳnh Phương, recruiters understand that layoffs have both objective and subjective reasons, so employees should not feel ashamed or less confident when facing such a situation. 

The advice is to always be honest and straightforward when answering questions, as recruiters and HR departments always have ways to cross-reference information. Dishonesty is a “forbidden” for a job application. Regardless of position or job level, employees need to understand that nothing is guaranteed. Be open-minded, open to new ideas, and ready to change industries or professions when necessary. 

There will be many difficulties in starting over, but if you are open, there is always a way out.  

“Instead of dwelling on the reasons for being laid off, employees can focus on sharing their achievements and skills gained at their previous company after losing their job. How they regain their spirit and leverage this opportunity to change and upgrade themselves will be a highlight for recruiters,” Ms. Phương emphasized. 

Upgrading Yourself 

Employees need to update their CVs and start looking for jobs on recruitment websites or through their network. With the trend of freelance work, informal, project-based, or part-time jobs can be a good option, providing both good income and high flexibility. 

Recruiters believe that employees can take advantage of this career break to enhance their skills and knowledge. Currently, it is not too difficult to find short-term training courses and free courses on online platforms across various industries and fields. And don’t forget to expand and strengthen your professional network.