Thoughts on getting laid off after nine years at Twilio

Since the author posted this, what's your goal with writing something like this?

Very lovely window into what it's like to work at a place for 9 years, and then leave.

One thing I recommend in this situation is forming alumni groups if they don't already exist. Regardless of whether it's layoffs or through just reaching the end of your journey it's a great time to form and/or retain your community.

I'm part of several alumni groups on slack and they continue to be one of the most important networks for all kinds of opportunities. Way way better than Linked In.

Essentially all the trust benefits and social capital of being part of the corporate tribe continue beyond the end of employment.

Edit: fix really long sentence

I can't imagine working for so long at a place burning huge piles of cash every quarter. Looking for the exit is something I'd have done at least 5 years ago.

I think it's awesome that some people enjoy their work and love their jobs.

That said, if you aren't an owner of the company then I think it's unhealthy to be emotionally invested.

In my last job, I had received a competing offer and informed my boss that I would rather not leave but that this other offer was too financially good for me to ignore. My boss responded by beating the other offer and I stayed there for about five more years.

I later admitted to him that I felt guilt about leveraging an offer in this way. He said something that really stuck with me: "You've got to put yourself first".

In retrospect, the thing that actually stuck with me is that I'd gleamed into the mind of upper management. That is, they are putting themselves first, and so should you.