Let's do it right this time?

I got laid off at the beginning of 2025. The meeting invite titled "Business Decision" with just me and my manager didn't come as a surprise. Everybody knew it was coming. I got the heads-up from a friend a few months prior, shortly before Christmas. Not wanting to sweat the holidays, I waited until the new year to start prepping for interviews. The market was less than great, but at least I was…