In season of layoffs, social networks help reduce anxiety

Empathy on sites like LinkedIn and a market that is still hiring soften the blow

- SHIVANI SHINDE

Manisha Sharma (name changed) was always among the high achievers in her company. She was recognized and rewarded for those efforts as well. Mid-December 2022, however, she received a jolt: an email informing her that she had been laid off along with several of her colleagues. Sharma worked for a big tech firm, which had decided to downsize. And just like that, she was asked to go.

"It did come as a shock," she says. "I did not take calls for the first two days, but then realized there is no point in beating oneself up for a situation that's not in your hand. I thought let this be an opportunity to take a break. I'll now start looking for a job," she adds.

Sharma is among many such young people who have found themselves without a job overnight with global tech majors and several Indian start-ups handing out pink slips en masse.

Many of them that Business Standard spoke with said that after the initial shock and disbelief, they have been able to handle their situation with resilience.

One reason for this is the support that has been coming their way from perfect strangers through networking websites.

As Amazon layoffs hit home, LinkedIn, for instance, was flooded with people sharing their resumes for potential employers.