Here is What I Learned After Surviving 5 Layoffs

Usman Aslam
3 min readFeb 28, 2024
Image by ArtemisDiana

Hey there, career warriors! Can we talk real for a moment?

Surviving not one, not two, but five layoffs since 2009 has been a rollercoaster ride of epic proportions.

So, let me spill the beans on the nitty-gritty of what these wild twists and turns have taught me, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll find a nugget of wisdom in there for your own journey.

Maximize your tech career’s potential by exploring the handpicked articles in our curated list “Tech Career Advice.” I strongly recommend delving into this goldmine of knowledge and expertise. Check out this curated list and consider adding these articles to your own list for future reads.

1. You’re not just a name, you’re a number

Picture this: you’ve poured years of hard work and dedication into a company, thinking you’re part of the family.

Well, newsflash, my friend, in the corporate dance of layoffs, you’re just a digit on a spreadsheet. Ouch, right?

Lesson one — don’t let the illusion of job security cloud your judgment. Understand that you’re as secure as a sandcastle during high tide.

2. Gut punches are a part…

--

--

Usman Aslam

Ex-Amazonian, Sr. Solutions Architect at AWS, 12x AWS Certified. ❤️ Tech, Cloud, Programming, Data Science, AI/ML, Software Development, and DevOps. Join me 🤝