In a job market where uncertainty has quietly become normal, stories of job loss are no longer rare. But what stands out is how people deal with it. One such story comes from Jennifer Walter, a Corporate Talent Acquisition Manager, who turned a difficult series of layoffs into something people are calling both relatable and oddly motivating.
Jennifer shared her experience in a LinkedIn post, opening with a line that caught people off guard: “I’ve been laid off so many times, I should add it as a skill on my resume.” What followed was not just humor, but a very real account of what repeated job loss can feel like.
She wrote about receiving a message from her manager saying, “I'm flying in to talk.” It did not take long to understand what that meant. As she put it in her post, “Spoiler: She wasn’t flying in to bring me cookies.” The moment hit hard, and she admitted there were tears, something she partly brushed off as pregnancy hormones, but not entirely.
The third layoff came during the COVID-19 period, when she was working in recruitment for an airline. With travel shutting down globally, hiring froze, and roles like hers were no longer needed. She admitted this one was particularly tough because she enjoyed the work and had a mentor she valued. It also made her question herself, as she joked about feeling like she had a “Lay Me Off” note stuck on her forehead.
Yet, this time, her response was different. She said it felt lighter. She had support, some time to plan, and unexpectedly, even secured a job offer within the same week.
She wrote that being laid off does not automatically mean someone is bad at their job. Often, it is the result of business decisions like restructuring or shifting priorities. Over time, she also realised that priorities change, and what once felt like everything may not hold the same weight later.
Towards the end of her post, she reached out to others going through similar situations, saying she understands the stress, the doubt, and the constant search for answers. But she also pointed out that it is possible to land back on your feet, even if it takes time.
Jennifer shared her experience in a LinkedIn post, opening with a line that caught people off guard: “I’ve been laid off so many times, I should add it as a skill on my resume.” What followed was not just humor, but a very real account of what repeated job loss can feel like.
A difficult start that stayed with her
Her first layoff came at a time when things were already overwhelming in her personal life. She recalled being pregnant and at the hospital with her mother, who had just been diagnosed with cancer. At that moment, work felt like something stable she could rely on. But that changed quickly.She wrote about receiving a message from her manager saying, “I'm flying in to talk.” It did not take long to understand what that meant. As she put it in her post, “Spoiler: She wasn’t flying in to bring me cookies.” The moment hit hard, and she admitted there were tears, something she partly brushed off as pregnancy hormones, but not entirely.
Layoffs didn’t stop, but her reaction changed
After having her baby, Jennifer found another job quickly. That felt like a reset. But within eight months, she faced another setback. This time, the entire team was laid off while she was on vacation. Looking back, she described her reaction in a much flatter tone, writing, “Oh. Okay.” before casually mentioning she ordered another margarita.The third layoff came during the COVID-19 period, when she was working in recruitment for an airline. With travel shutting down globally, hiring froze, and roles like hers were no longer needed. She admitted this one was particularly tough because she enjoyed the work and had a mentor she valued. It also made her question herself, as she joked about feeling like she had a “Lay Me Off” note stuck on her forehead.
A turning point in how she saw things
The fourth layoff came when she was in what she described as her dream job at a Fortune 1 company. She was performing well, but changes in company policy meant remote roles were cut. At the same time, she was dealing with a rare cancer diagnosis, which made relocating impossible.Yet, this time, her response was different. She said it felt lighter. She had support, some time to plan, and unexpectedly, even secured a job offer within the same week.
What she learned along the way
Through her post, Jennifer reflected on how her thinking changed over time. She admitted that earlier, she tied her identity closely to her job, and every layoff felt like a personal failure. But repeated experiences helped her separate self-worth from employment status.She wrote that being laid off does not automatically mean someone is bad at their job. Often, it is the result of business decisions like restructuring or shifting priorities. Over time, she also realised that priorities change, and what once felt like everything may not hold the same weight later.
Towards the end of her post, she reached out to others going through similar situations, saying she understands the stress, the doubt, and the constant search for answers. But she also pointed out that it is possible to land back on your feet, even if it takes time.
