I have had over 20 tech related jobs over 30 years in tech related positions including FTE, contract and consulting since 1998. I have worked in 2 major tech hubs, worked for startups, small, mid, large and international corporations over the years. I have also had multiple other positions I voluntarily left for other positions, volunteered for layoffs, been laid off when I was on STD and after my partner had a massive stroke. I've been through almost all scenarios that are possible.
This is my second time with Cigna. I was contract between 2020 to 2021 and FTE from 2021 to the 2022 layoffs. I was rehired as a contractor in 2024 and converted again in 2026. I have had a career spanning almost 30 years and have been laid off or have had my contract ended over 20 times. I've learned many things over 30 years
First of all, no one is safe. It doesn't matter if you're the SME in your team. It doesn't matter if letting you go severely impacts your team. Sometimes it's personal, meaning that a group that has been working together over a long period of time will protect each other and find new positions within the company well before everyone else is even aware that job eliminations are happening.
No one should EVER assume you are safe. You should aways have an updated resume, a portfolio of work and a plan in place just in case a recession is happening. Make a plan to upgrade your skills if it's needed via unemployment services. Gather the documents you need to prove you need an upgrade. That will keep you in unemployment benefits well past when they lapse and will frequently pay for your tuition and school expenses. I rode out the 2008 great recession that way. I've also found that LinkedIn seems to work best. Nearly all my.positions came vis LinkedIn. Unfortunately, it only works if you're willing to have a paid account.
I do not recommend doing a profile picture (especially if you're disabled, an older woman, fat, etc. A esume with changes designed to obscure your age for the mature crowd especially. For women, change your profile name to something that screeners cannot use to guess your gender. When I adopted this approach back in 2019, my applications, LinkedIn mail or other approach landed me zero interviews for 9 months. After I instituted those changed, I had HR folks seeking me out and replies to jobs I applied for.
Do not count on receiving severance. Out of 20+ positions, Cigna is the only job I have ever had that paid out more than 6 weeks. Most do a month or nothing.
Immediately file for unemployment and fight it if you're denied. Many states will find for you if you have to appeal. I know this because I've lived in multiple states and had to file appeals. I've never lost one. In many states you can collect unemployment benefits and severance, even if you voluntarily took a retirement package. Fighting costs you nothing but some time and a bit of effort.