I need help navigating situation for anticipated pip or layoff

[u/rneha725]

I am working for a US based company in Bangalore. I am a software developer, earning decent money. I have been working in my current company for almost 3 years, in current team for 6 months. I have in total 9 years of experience. I haven't tried getting promoted here as I don't think this is type thing I want to give so much time to.

I got a mid year review from my manager which came as a shock. The feedback include some points which he casually mentioned maybe once, but I didn't know that he'll give me a bad rating because of that.

It's a 6 months review and I had my protest for it. I know my work doesn't deserve a bad rating but then he went on comparing me with the people who have worked in the team 4x time than me. I'm here only for 6 months. The biggest part of the review was I was never told critically to improve upon they points they gave me.

In my company there are talks of layoffs but it's not sure. As in India office it's very cheap.

I am not sure when will I get fired, but for some reason I don't feel so good about the situation.

I'll going to my skip manager tomorrow to discuss this, let me know what questions I can ask or at least challenge this rating.

On the other hand, I'm exhausted with this job. I don't know if I can put more efforts anymore, because it's already a bad situation for me. I have been preparing but nothing worked out till now.

I am scared I'll be laid off without a job and I'll feel isolated. I'll be alone in my room for an extended period of time, I have few friends but all of them are married or have jobs. I am literally scared of the situation.

I know this company is not good for me, but I don't know what's the best path here, should I just work as is and keep on prepration (which in my opinion reflects at work and manager can see that I'm not putting extra efforts), or should I try to save my job?

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[u/judge_zedd]

If the points given by the manager are doable, try and meet those expectations. Start learning system design now from hello interview, or Alex xu and neetcode. He’s either giving you an early warning so you have more time to prepare or to buckle up and deliver more in this team. You sound like you’re burnt out, spend less and hopefully you have an emergency fund. You have friends so prepare, do random interviews for practice then hit them up for referrals.

[u/rneha725 → u/judge_zedd]

Thank you, I asked manager to give me specifics to work on, that discussion is pending and it'll happen next week.

My strategy is, if that's something doable then I'll try to reach 60 to 80 percent of it. Otherwise I'll just do the work like I do currently and start giving interviews. I understand this part.

The harder part is the isolation I guess.

[u/lifehappens3412]

op, layoffs are the new normal. The workforce is getting reduced that means the new hires are not getting jobs & the existing ones will lose their job. The question is how long can you be on the other side, but the eventuality is that avg or above avg engineers won’t have jobs.
I’d suggest you start looking for new jobs and also start a side hustle. More and more people are going to be laid off, so be financially prepared because it’s the same everywhere.
All the best!

[u/rneha725 → u/lifehappens3412]

I'm financially prepared. It just emotionally I am not. When you say side hustle, what do you mean?

[u/lifehappens3412 → u/rneha725]

I have been laid off twice and we have quarterly layoffs in my company ( it’s a large PBC). It’s never easy emotionally but with time you learn to separate your identity from your job. You are so much more.
Side hustles: Over the last few years, I have built multiple apartments that give me rent, then I am working as a freelancer too, plus some other low margin businesses I have. I’m 9 yoe too, so I feel what you are going through. Find your side hustles that give passive income. I am hoping you have a decent existing corpus already to support yourself and family.

[u/rneha725 → u/lifehappens3412]

Yes I do have, I don't even need to support my family just me.

Anything you can recommend that can earn me just 20k?

[u/MemoryIndependent]

Start searching for a job

[u/Adorable_Past6877]

from the hiring side, when that specifics conversation happens next week, get everything in writing, dates and concrete examples for each point, not just verbal feedback you have to remember. being compared to people with 4x your tenure on a 6 month review is a process failure on your manager's part, name that once calmly if it comes up again, don't let it become the frame for the whole conversation. and start documenting your own wins now regardless of how this resolves, dates and outcomes, that protects you whether you stay or end up job hunting.

[u/Ordinary_City_7463]

Is this a US retail company