Welcome back to I'm a Software Engineer ~ What Next? The podcast for devs figuring out their next move. Hosted by James Wilson and Matt Sinclair, we talk honestly about what it takes to build a meaningful career in tech.
Laid off? You're not alone — and it doesn't mean you're broken. In this week's episode of I'm a Software Engineer ~ What Next?, we talk to Steve Jaffe, ad industry veteran and author of 'The Layoff Journey', about how to bounce back after losing your job — and how to find real clarity in the chaos.
Steve's been through four layoffs — from the dot-com crash to 2023's tech contraction. The difference? Now he knows how to handle it.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why most people handle layoffs wrong
- The 7 emotional stages of being let go (and why you shouldn't skip them)
- How layoffs can spark growth, renewal, and even joy
- What hiring managers really think about CV gaps
- How to turn a layoff into your career pivot moment
- Advice for engineers, hiring managers, and anyone who's felt lost after being let go
Whether you're applying for your next engineering role or hiring your next dev, this one's got real talk, practical advice, and a few rants.
🎧 39 minutes. Zero fluff. Tune in now.
🔗 Links
🗒️ Show Notes
- Steve's book 'The Layoff Journey'
- The Kubler-Ross Model - Stages of Grief
- The 'Bullsh*t Jobs' theory by David Graeber
🗣️ Guest
- Steve Jaffe — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaffesteve
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