Addressing a layoff

Question

In the middle of all this application madness, I have recently been laid off. I was just wondering if this is something I should address in my essays? Should I address it in my additional essay? To make a long story short, I was laid off in April, but called back after a couple weeks to work on contract. I figured I can at least show I'm dedicated and that lack of performance was not the reason I was laid off.

Advice?

Advice?

jordanhendrix · Answer

well youre gonna have to mention it, but the main concerns with layoff are that you weren't a good worker from some reason or another, since that obviously isn't the case I wouldn't worry too much about it. 
How bout asking some of the admission consultants on this forum?

shadow · Answer

don't dwell on it in your app, but definitely mention it in at least one essay. devote about 2-3 sentences to it while focusing on your resiliency in the situation. make sure to highlight any extraneous factors (i.e. poor economic health of the company, etc.) that led to the layoff (this factors in with the fact that they called you back for contract work, which means that they valued you as an employee).

riverripper · Answer

Make sure you discuss what you were doing while unemployed, how you bettered yourself. Lots of people lost their jobs the last few years due to no fault of their own. However, if you just sat around collecting unemployment while playing Halo...well that wont help your cause at all. If you volunteered or did consulting projects, thats going to look much better. Frame up the positiive aspects of being layed off.

thisguy310 · Answer

I'd agree with everyone above, don't dwell on it too much. Do mention it briefly and the outside circumstances. Talk about your recovery though, how you are moving forward, steps you are taking to reach your goals.

SaMoCU · Answer

Don't think it's a biggie. I was laid off last year because of a merger my employer had with another large company, and because of the recession. Found a job at a start-up in 4 weeks and mentioned it in the app and in my essay, but kept my explanation brief. People get laid off, it's what you do after you're laid off that matters more.

Addressing a layoff

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