Starting 2026 From Scratch

A year I was hoping would be steady. Professionally, I wanted to grow within the company I was in, focus on training and certifications, and apply that knowledge to the environments I was managing.

Turns out 2026 had different plans for me and during the first week of January, I was laid off. It wasn’t entirely unexpected but it’s different when you actually hear someone say they have to let you go.

And then comes the question: What now?

The Exit Decision

The next few days were intense. I was in constant back and forth between my lawyer and the company’s HR, trying to decide whether to leave through an agreement or continue working for two to three more months under a collective layoff.

Each case is different, but for me, leaving via agreement was the best option. I would receive solid compensation and, despite slowing down slightly, the IT market in Portugal remains active.

With the exit sorted out, it was time to move forward.

Back to the Job Search

This was my first time job hunting while unemployed. The pressure feels different. It pushes you toward decisions you might instantly regret.

For me, the biggest mistake was accepting every call invitation I received.

That quickly turned into a flood of interviews that felt more like recruiters filling KPIs than real opportunities. These so-called “screening” interviews, usually from consultancy agencies, often felt like a waste of time.

I’ve never aimed to work as a consultant, but initially, I wasn’t filtering properly when someone reached out via LinkedIn and this lead me to empty calls, massive Excel sheets asking for information already in my CV and promises of matching me with projects they couldn’t clearly describe.

After a few of these, I decided to create a reply template. From then on, I asked every recruiter for three key details:

Contract type

Work location policy (onsite, hybrid, or remote)

Salary range

This simple filter saved me hours and helped me focus only on serious opportunities.

Technical Interviews

Once the initial screening phase was done, it was time to put my knowledge to the test.

The technical interviews I had were conversational. Interviewers presented scenarios and asked how I would handle specific situations. None required live coding or written assignments.

Even so, they can be stressful. Preparation is key and this is where AI became a powerful ally.

My approach was simple:

Copy the technical requirements from the job posting

Paste them into ChatGPT

Ask it to generate 10–15 possible interview questions

Answer them

Ask it to evaluate and challenge my responses

This helped me structure my thinking and build confidence before each interview.

I Got the Job

After three weeks of interviews, studying, rejections, and a bit of ghosting, I finally received two offers.

Then it was my turn to choose.

Final Thoughts

2026 didn’t start strong, but it turned around quickly. Sometimes what feels like a setback is just a redirection.

For anyone in the same position: don’t settle. Be persistent. I know I speak from a privileged position coming from the “gold field” of IT, but opportunities are out there. You just need to position yourself well enough to catch them first.

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Until the next one,