Layoffs signal weakness, from every angle. They hired indiscriminately and now are doing catch and release. Or they lacked foresight of their market. Or they are financially mismanaged. Or they are directed by a unqualified board. Or they are unable to cope with their market shrinking. Or they are a behemoth that grinds up workers as part of their operation (a lot of what we're seeing now). Or they're jumping off the cliff with the other lemmings. Or they need money for upper management pay.

When you're looking for a job, keep the companies previous layoffs in mind. Are they stable, or do they acquire and jettison?