How to Make Yourself Layoff-Proof in the Age of Uncertainty
Another 6,000 layoffs at Microsoft. More headlines. More fear.
If you’re feeling a creeping anxiety about your job, you’re not alone.
We’ve entered an era where even “safe” jobs — at companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft — are no longer safe. The tech industry is shifting under our feet, and the old advice about job security doesn’t hold up anymore.
So how do you survive this? Better yet, how do you thrive in a job market that’s unpredictable and brutal?
Let’s talk about that.
The Reality: This Isn’t Just Another Layoff Cycle
“Security is mostly a superstition. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” — Helen Keller
We’ve seen layoffs before. But this cycle is different.
- Big Tech is bleeding. Companies like Microsoft and Google aren’t trimming fat — they’re cutting muscle.
- Middle management is being gutted. Entire layers are being removed to “flatten” orgs.
- Careers are being redefined. Being technically competent is no longer enough. Visibility matters. Adaptability matters. Storytelling matters.
The traditional corporate ladder is breaking — and the new game requires new rules.
Your 3-Part Roadmap to Becoming Layoff-Proof
If you want to be future-proof in this environment, you need to focus on three things. Each one builds a layer of resilience:
1. Master AI
Like it or not, AI is now a required skillset — not just a “nice to have.”
I put together a roadmap on learning AI, and it reached 225,000+ people — because the need is real. If you don’t understand how to use AI tools in your workflow, someone else will.
2. Prep for Your Job Search (Before You Need It)
Don’t wait until you’re out of a job to start preparing. Keep your resume updated. Practice interviewing. Build your job search muscle even when you’re employed.
I built a full guide for this too:
3. Build a Personal Brand on LinkedIn
This is the controversial one. It makes people uncomfortable. But it’s also the most effective insurance policy you can create.
If you’ve consistently been sharing your ideas, projects, values, and wins — you’re already ahead. A layoff won’t feel like a cliff. It’ll feel like a detour.
Because people will already know who you are.
They’ll come to you with opportunities. Or better yet, you’ll be able to create your own.
This Isn’t Theory. This Is Real.
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” — Chinese Proverb
Still skeptical about building a personal brand? Let me show you what happens when you do:
1. I Got a VP Role After 15 Years in Product
My consistent presence on LinkedIn made that journey faster. I didn’t just get inbound opportunities — I had leverage in choosing the right one.
➡️ Chat with my CPO, Abishek Viswanathan
2. Chloe Shih Was Laid Off from Discord
She didn’t disappear — she went viral.
Today, she has 1M+ followers on Instagram, and is speaking to product teams at YouTube and LinkedIn.
3. Dr. Bart Jaworski Was Laid Off from Microsoft
Within weeks, he landed a new job. He now has 125,000+ followers on LinkedIn.
4. Elena Verna Just Landed a Top Product Role
She became the Head of Product & Growth at Lovable — one of the hottest roles in tech right now.
Her active presence on LinkedIn made a difference.
Building a Personal Brand: Your Exact Next Steps
Ready to start? Here are the best free resources I’ve found (and used):
- How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile for Inbound Jobs
➡️ Read here - How to Get Jobs to Come to YOU: The Inbound Job Search
➡️ Read here - How Actual Job Seekers Have Succeeded in This Market
➡️ Read here - How to Grow to 125K Followers on LinkedIn (with Pierre Herubel)
➡️ Read here - What Your Biggest Weakness Really Is — and How to Flip It
➡️ Read here
And if you’re not sure where to start, follow people like Jasmin Alić and Lara Acosta — they’re showing us what’s possible.
You Don’t Need to Be Famous. You Just Need to Be Findable.
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” — Albert Einstein
You don’t need to go viral. You don’t need 100K followers.
You just need to make it easy for the right people to find you, trust you, and see your value.
Start now.
Not when the layoff comes. Not when it’s convenient.
Because building a safety net takes time — and today is a great day to begin.
