I was laid off from a FAANG company I won't name on January 20th. I was, however, given the opportunity to look for a new job internally for three months. Some people got cut off hard, a small number got either 3 or 6 months before their final date. Luckily I found an internal position in a different group. There were few choices, I it was just two positions I had to choose between. But I got to see my layoff package - it was good, I have been here a long time, but I have been through the job hunting process too many times before to be very eager to do it again.

I'm sure a lot of HN readers would tell me I should have taken the package and found a new job elsewhere, but I've worked at startup companies before and I don't think the grass is any greener out there. And perhaps unsurprisingly my new team was happy to have me aboard since hiring has been very limited lately compared to my company's historical norms.

I've been flat-out fired before from other jobs, although not with cause, and it never really affected my job searches before. I think most people believe that their interviewing process works and having seen a lot of smart people come and go I don't think getting either fired or laid off necessarily says anything about anyone. It might, but you need more than that one data point.

I don't feel like I've every faced any social stigma around being either fired or laid off. People have always been pretty sympathetic and supportive towards me, for which I'm grateful.