Vinita's first layoff left her crying on the kitchen floor. By her third, her response was completely different: "It's fine. I'll figure it out."

What changed?

She learned to trust herself.

In this episode of Pink Slip Pavilion, host Ashley Waddington sits down with Vinita Kuhikar to talk about being laid off three times, navigating job loss while on a work visa, rebuilding confidence, and learning how to approach the job search without allowing a layoff to define her value.

Vinita's first layoff happened during COVID while she was working as an architect on a major Google headquarters project in the Bay Area. As an international worker in the U.S., losing her job came with additional pressure: her work visa clock started ticking the moment she was laid off.

After two days to process what happened, Vinita went all in on her job search and landed another role within a month.

Three weeks later, she was laid off again.

Fortunately, she had another offer waiting. Then came layoff number three.

By that point, Vinita's mindset had changed. Instead of wondering whether she'd find another job, she trusted that she'd figure it out. Repeated job searches taught her what worked, how to interview more effectively, and how important confidence was to the process.

Her layoffs also pushed her to reconsider her career. She transitioned from architecture into construction management, finding better financial growth, hours, and working conditions. She also began sharing what she'd learned online to help others navigate their job searches.

In this episode, we cover:

• Getting laid off three times

• Losing a job while on a work visa

• Getting laid off from a dream project during COVID

• Landing another job within 30 days

• Rebuilding confidence after job loss

• What Vinita learned about job searching and interviews

• Separating a layoff from your personal value

• Pivoting from architecture to construction management

• Building your network before you need it

• Preparing for a potential layoff

• Negotiating severance

• Turning your experience into a way to help others

Vinita's experience taught her something powerful:

The first time, you don't know whether you'll figure it out. The next time, you have evidence that you already have.

Her advice? Build your safety net before you need it. Grow your network, maintain your résumé, keep track of your accomplishments, and build relationships outside your company.

As Vinita puts it, you have to back yourself.

If you're navigating a layoff, struggling through a job search, or worried about losing your job, Vinita's story is a reminder to trust your ability to figure out what comes next.

CONNECT WITH VINITA:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinita-kuhikar Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vin_thejobhunt TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vin_thejobhunt YouTube: https://youtube.com/@vin_thejobhunt Book a call: https://topmate.io/vin_thejobhunt_community/1954933

Pink Slip Pavilion shares real stories about layoffs, job loss, career transitions, and what comes next.

New episodes every Wednesday.