Episode 14: Bouncing Back From a Layoff with Shilpa Vir
In 2009, when there was a financial meltdown in progress, I was working as a consultant. My year long project with a client had ended with a successful product launch, and I was back on the “bench”. While any other time, I would have looked forward to enjoying a (paid) break, I knew that given the economic downturn, the company will not be able to afford to keep me on the payroll for long. I was on a work visa. So without a job, my days in the country would be numbered. Thankfully, the same client I had just just rolled off of had a new project start, and they asked for me. I don’t think they realized, but they probably saved me my job. Even this close brush with the prospect of losing my job shook me to the core.
So I can only imagine what Shilpa felt when, while being eight months pregnant, she found out that her position was being eliminated. However, instead of letting this setback define her, Shilpa set out on a determined path to prove to herself that she was deserving of a better role and ended up with multiple job offers. Don’t miss this inspiring story of grit and self-confidence!
Shilpa Vir is a seasoned Product Management leader and Entrepreneur, currently serving as Senior Product Manager at Google. She is also a very successful career coach, and has helped many people achieve their professional goals. A vocal advocate of women in STEM, Shilpa leads the Women in Product (WIP) South Bay chapter, serves on the GHC Product Management committee for AnitaB.org and is involved in several diversity initiatives at Google. She is also a frequent speaker at industry events where she shares her insights such as how to maximize your chances of a promotion.
You can learn more about Shilpa, or set up a consulting session with her on her website - shilpavir.com. You can also connect with Shilpa on LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter.
If you have any comments about the episode or would like to share your own story, please share below. I would love to hear from you!
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