What do you do if you're facing a layoff in Product Marketing and need to stay positive?

After some time, we will find that being laid off helps us. Try applying an entrepreneurial spirit in our work to enhance adaptability and resilience in response to internal and market change. Experiencing layoffs several times will change our mindset in contributing to companies and ourselves. Avoid the comfort zone, don't be in innovation dillema, as it will kill us.

Staying relevant! The key is to ride the tide of change. Keeping oneself abreast with the right skills in demand, 360 degree knowledge accompanied with right and positive attitude is the mantra for navigating to your next.

By staying positive, proactive, and resilient, you can navigate through a layoff in product marketing and emerge stronger and more prepared for the next chapter in your career.

Layoffs are a part of life. There's no point in denying it. The sooner you accept and embrace it the better. It's time to list down your skills and your career goals. This can also be a time to consider a different path or career. A new industry perhaps. Create a good network, join communities, groups and try to maintain a good relationship with everyone. Update your resume, Take up courses, Upskill yourself. Solve case studies, come with 2-3 strategies. Take help from your connections and network to evaluate the same. Stay Positive, keep working at it. I know the journey is hard, but with effort and resilience it will all be worth it.

Take the opportunity of LinkedIn notifications and special days to reach out and stay in touch with contacts and friends. Build relationship by engaging in a genuine manner.

Don't wait until you're fired to actively network - nothing is worse than playing catch-up. It's vital to incorporate networking into your daily routine so it becomes a part of your workflow rather than a rare occasion. LinkedIn is a fantastic platform for professional networking - follow SMEs, comment on insightful posts about your niche, and post enlightening content of your own.

Think of this as expanding your toolkit for future opportunities. Focus on acquiring skills that align with emerging market demands and industry advancements. By staying ahead of the curve, you position yourself as a valuable asset in an ever-changing job market, increasing your chances of success in your next role.

Anyone who has been in the tech world knows the ups and downs of life there, especially on the product marketing (and for that matter, all other marketing!) side of the business. As a very wise mentor said to me during my first layoff, "don't take it personally!" The sad reality is that while sometimes a layoff is also used to "clear out deadwood", most of the time it is a soulless spreadsheet exercise. Yes there will be shock, stress and anxiety, but this is the time to apply your professional skills and taking control of what you can--which is both how you deal with the layoff emotionally, and how you go about the important business of finding your next job. Everything else is a waste of energy and time.

Having been laid off twice in 6 months and being out of work for just about a year total, I can confidently say that planning & strategy are key to achieving your goals, whatever they may be. No matter what you're looking for next, the first thing to do is update your resume. Be sure to highlight your most recent experiences & results. Next, make a list of target employers or industries. Use your network to connect with people in these target areas. Then, set some goals for yourself. Job hunting is a full-time job and can be very stressful. Goals are a great way to set boundaries for yourself as well and help you avoid overwhelm. Lastly, my best advice is to keep a spreadsheet of your activities - you'll be organized & on top of everything!