Should lay off be addressed in a cover letter?

[Harold P]

I would like to get some feedback from some fellow covers in regards to addressing the fact that I was laid off (along with 15% of the salaried group ) in my cover letter. This is something I never would have thought to do but it was recently suggested by a recruiter. The best reason they gave me was that it was best to address these types of things in the cover letter so that there would be no surprises when viewing the resume.

Thanks,

Harold

[Wes Bucey]

Originally Posted by Harold P

I would like to get some feedback from some fellow covers in regards to addressing the fact that I was laid off (along with 15% of the salaried group ) in my cover letter. This is something I never would have thought to do but it was recently suggested by a recruiter. The best reason they gave me was that it was best to address these types of things in the cover letter so that there would be no surprises when viewing the resume.

Thanks,

Harold

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary actions. Being laid off through no fault of your own can work as a benefit in the job hunt because you can be free of any constraints about working for competitors of your previous employer. (unless you get an extraordinarily large severance payment to keep you from working for a competitor, once you are laid off, all previous contract restrictions become void - they usually only apply if you voluntarily leave the organization.)

Try to phrase the cover letter to avoid looking like you are begging for a job. You must always frame the cover letter in such a way to demonstrate the value you will bring to the organization, NOT the value you hope to get from the new employer.

A second advantage of being laid off is that you will be able to start immediately for any new employer.

Phrasing you might use:
"Until ___, I was employed by XYZ company. During my employment, I directly helped them by: ___________________________. Unfortunately, external circumstances forced company executives to retrench and discontinue the programs I was working on and lay off 15% of the work force. I have a strong referral letter attesting to the value I brought to the company. Unfortunately, it was not sufficient to overcome other factors."

[Kevin H]

I've been caught by lay-offs (or rif's) 3 times during my career. All 3 were during industrial down turns. I've never listed them on my resume, or mentioned them in my cover letter. I've always felt I could explain them better during an interview. It helped that they were less than 1 year in duration and could be disgusied on the resume by listing only years of employment, for example XYZ company, 1998 - 2000, ABC company, 2000-2005, etc.

I also chose to use one lay-off to finish my MBA on a full time basis after having started it on a part time plan, so have a good reason to explain part of that time off.

Good luck Harold - I've been in your shoes, and it's not a lot of fun.