Layoff to Hired in 56 Days — My Full Breakdown

Layoff to Hired in 56 Days — My Full Breakdown

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I took my Linkedin daily posts from Day 1 to Hired into a pdf, and asked chat GPT to summarize to help me build out the structure of this blog. Added some additional content and came up with a decent play by play from my job search. I hope this helps someone!

I’ve been in tech for over 16 years. I’ve led QA teams, run departments, built automation frameworks, developed products, and worked with incredible people across engineering, DevOps, and delivery. Then, one day, it was all gone.

I was working at a place that did not value QA and was stressed out, I built process, new automation frameworks, hundreds of automated tests, integrated pipelines, produced daily and adhoc test results, established true QA Metrics, mentored the existing QA, put in more than 60 hours a week(the trigger to me building TimeTrackerAI). I got an Amazing review, a substantial raise, and high praise in my annual review. Fast forward just 3 days, I was in a recurring skip level 1:1 and was completely caught off guard that they were cutting out QA, and Developers were going to take over testing. Org Restructure, my role was eliminated!

To say I was caught off guard was a complete understatement, But I made a decision in that moment:

This isn’t the end. It’s a beginning.

And 56 days later, I signed an offer to lead QA at a company I’m genuinely excited about.

Here’s the real story of what I did, step-by-step, to go from laid off to hired—with actions and mindset shifts that I hope help others facing the same storm.

Step 1: Pause, Breathe, Reflect

Day 1-2

My instinct was to act fast—update resumes, message connections, fix LinkedIn—but before I went into full "panic apply" mode, I paused. Just for a moment.

I looked back at my career—16+ years of building, learning, leading, launching products, starting ventures. I reminded myself:

| A layoff doesn’t erase my impact. It creates space for something new.

Key Action:

Give yourself permission to rest and reflect. Even for a day or two. Your mindset will define your process.

STEP 2: Build the Foundation

Day 2-3

Once I was mentally reset, I jumped into action:

I didn’t apply to dozens of roles. I started slow, intentionally.

Key Tip: Apply to jobs that fit you. Tailor your resume if needed, but don’t fake-fit a role you’ll hate.

STEP 3: Set a Daily Routine (and Stick to It)

Day 4+ onward

I created structure in a time that could’ve felt chaotic:

My Daily Routine

Why it mattered:

Routine gave me momentum, and momentum kept me from spiraling.

STEP 4: Network Like It’s a Job (Because It Is)

Here’s the truth: Networking got me hired. Not job boards.

I posted every day. Not desperate posts—real updates. Insights, progress, support for others, questions, encouragement.

I messaged hiring managers directly. Not spam. Personalized intros showing I did my research and cared about the role.

Results:

Key Action: Post consistently. Help others. Stay visible. It will come back to you.

STEP 5: Build While You Search

I didn’t sit around refreshing job boards. I used my downtime to create:

Every project taught me something that made me stronger as a QA leader. I became my own product owner, developer, and QA.

Key Action: Use the time to sharpen your edge. You’ll walk into interviews stronger—and with stories to tell.

STEP 6: Be Picky and Know Your Worth.

I declined offers that didn’t make sense—long commutes, low pay, poor culture fits.

It wasn’t easy. Saying no in a market like this feels risky. But I’ve hired people before. I know what the right fit feels like. And I wanted that—for me and for them.

Key Actions: Ask: Would I accept this job if I weren’t laid off? If the answer is no, don’t settle.

STEP 7: Stay Human

Rejection stings. Silence is worse. There were moments I felt crushed—especially after final-round rejections.

But I allowed myself to feel it. I vented to my wife and friends. I took a break when I needed it. And the next day, I showed up again.

Why it matters: Burnout doesn’t just happen in jobs. It can happen in job searches too.

What Worked for Me

Here’s what actually moved the needle:

The Results

Sample Resume

Throughout the entire journey, I used a single resume. I did not follow the advice of many to rewrite my resume for every job. My thought process, This is the true me, this is my real experience, take it or leave it. This is what I would expect of candidates if I were hiring. Also, I don't want a job under a false narrative.

Removed my pii but left the rest

📄 Download My Resume (PDF)

Research Before Applying

Its not easy to put applying on hold, but trust me, it’s worth it. Don’t “Spray and Pray”, it will lead to ghosting, no replies, or canned responses. Instead I chose to research every company before applying.

While going through job boards, if I saw a role that looked like it should be aligned with my experience I did NOT click apply right then and there. Instead, I followed these steps:

First

Read the ENTIRE job description, yes ALL of it.

Ask yourself:

  1. Does this align with my experience?
  2. Is a salary listed and does it align with my acceptable range?
  3. Is this what I want to do?

Notes:

  1. Document What you liked or loved about the role
  2. Document Questions or concerns

Second

We are still NOT clicking apply! Now its time to research the company.

I used LinkedIn, company websites, and Glassdoor.

Take more Notes:

  1. Get a general understanding of what they do and who they are
  2. Document what stuck out to you and what you liked about the company
  3. Document Questions or concerns

Third

If everything aligned with your job requirements, you are now armed with company knowledge, a list of questions about what you’d like to know more about, and some talking points. NOW you can apply!!! Include a cover letter if asked!

Post Application

Yes POST application, you’re not done yet!

After every application, I looked for someone to connect with or send a message to. Someone in the company I am applying for as close to the role as I could find. For me I was looking for QA Staff engineer roles, QA Lead, or QA Management Roles so I would look for the hiring manager, internal talent acquisition, of directors/VP’s of engineering. My messages consisted of 3 parts!

Part 1: Subject

I made the subject of every message “RE: JobTitle role”

Part 2: Introduction

Hello <person> my name is Rob, a <title that aligns with role> with <x> years of experience in <industry>. I have a strong background in <what ever your strongest skill is that aligns with the job description> and would love to discuss how <Company> can benefit from my experiences and background.

Part 3: Closing

I really liked <something from your notes taken before applying>. I’d love to connect and learn more about the role, and would be happy to setup some time to further discuss. Thank you in advance for your time!

An example from one of my applications was the companies about us page had 2 things I loved. A well documented list of values, and hilariously, had the meet the team section as all Simpsons characters. This happens to be from the role I accepted, and this is what drew me to them from the beginning(even though they contacted me first, I still used my process).

If You’re Going Through It...

I’ve been where you are.

Here’s what I’d tell you:

You only need one yes.

Until then—

Stay Positive, Stay Strong, and Keep on Keepin’ On.

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