Why I’m not afraid of tech layoff anymore
Meta just fired more people a few hours ago, but I’m no longer afraid of layoffs.
As you know, I’ve had a turbulent career journey as a young professional, being fired and zigzagging from big tech to startups. Along the way, I’ve gained valuable social and business skills.
When most people think of job searching, they typically imagine this sequence:
- Apply
- Interview
- Get the job
- Negotiate benefits
It’s a conventional mindset — either you pass the interview, or you don’t, and your mood hinges on that outcome. But after observing how our company hires and talking with founder friends about their hiring processes, I realized most people completely misunderstand how to play the game. Actually, it’s more like being a fruit stall owner trying to exchange your goods with a fish stall owner!
I know that sounds confusing right now, but let me explain.
Recently, I went through an interview process to expand my network. The founder followed the traditional approach — asking about my experience and what interests me. But I turned the conversation around by asking, “How may I help?”
This simple question is powerful. It’s not just about offering my time or skills; I’m offering everything I have, including my network. I told him, “Even if this doesn’t work out, I’d be happy to introduce you to some great builders, as I attend hackathons every weekend.” That shifted the power dynamic. He thanked me and even asked about the roles I was looking for, offering to help in return.
What happened here? This is called principled negotiation. Most people view hiring as a positional negotiation — a zero-sum game where one party wins and the other loses. This is why people fight over higher salaries. However, principled negotiation focuses on interests rather than positions, seeking mutually beneficial solutions. It’s about solving problems together, not just bargaining. Doing this requires a deep understanding of the other party, and luckily, I lived in an incubator where all my friends are founders.
For example, even though the company and I weren’t a perfect fit for each other, we had plenty to offer each other. I could offer my SF talent network, and he could offer his founder network. Principled negotiation isn’t easy to apply, but I’ve come to realize it’s rooted in a strong business mindset — exchanging fruit for fish — and having empathy for others. Creative solutions are always around the corner when you approach things this way.
I’ve noticed that many people view workplace interactions transactionally. And society taught us it’s evil and capitalistic. They feel frustrated when they don’t get what they want right away or fear being replaced, especially with the constant news of layoffs. And nowadays I think it’s a completely incorrect mindset. I see everyone I meet as an asset. We all have the capacity to help each other at different times in our careers, as long as we’re attentive to each other’s needs. Great professionals, the ones people enjoy working with, are those who have a clear understanding of what they need, the honesty to offer and to not offer help, with the creativity to find collaborative solutions. They also possess sharp observational skills and empathy, allowing them to truly understand and connect with others.
I know I’m not the best engineer in the Bay Area, and I probably never will be. But my competitive edge comes from my scientific background and consulting experience, which have taught me the complexities of business and people. These lessons apply to everything — fundraising, hiring, networking, and product building. People. People. People. Even though AI is replacing us, people are still the one making those AI for now.
As I believe work will become more fragmented with the rise of AI and layoffs will continue to happen, I think the ability to navigate these uncertain, grey areas will become more valuable.
Layoffs are scary, and the future feels uncertain. But danger, risk, and uncertainty all imply opportunity. Don’t just be an engineer. Let’s open more backdoors on this planet together.
