1989
Them: "We are declining to renew your contract for next year."
Me to them: "I understand."
I hadn't actually asked for a renewal, and already have my next gig lined up.
1994
Them: "Our startup is in the cross-hairs of a large established player. We're cutting back and hoping to weather the storm."
Me to them: "I understand."
Me to myself: They aren't going to make it (they didn't). Better to move on now (I landed a new position within three months, a promotion within that company within six months after that).
2004
Me, returning from vacation: "That's weird. I can't access my company voicemail or email."
Them: "Yeah, about that...."
That one was hard. I should have seen it coming, but didn't, and it took me 10 months to land my next position.
2006
Them: "Funding has run dry, you aren't going to get the back pay we owe you, and we're filing for bankruptcy."
Me: "I understand. I hope that our partners can sustain some of what we've built" (they did; check out eol.org).
I saw this one coming, but still didn't have a Plan B ready (it took me five months to land my next position).
2008
Them: "Our parent company is cutting the funding on the initiative you're working on. We're going to have to let you go."
Me: "That's okay, I'm --"
Them: "Of course, if you tell us you have something else lined up, we can't offer you this severance package."
Me: "--"
I did see this one coming, and I did have a Plan B ready.
2010
Them: "Our budget has been adjusted, and that 18 month contract we just signed with you is being cut to 3 months."
Me: "I'll give you my best 3 months."
It took me 6 months to find a next gig.
2012
Them: "We've decided not to renew your contract."
Me: "I understand."
I wasn't looking for a contract renewal; it was a pretty awful relationship the last three months, and I had a new position with a new company lined up.
Also 2012
Them: "With the new VP, we aren't doing agile anymore. Your position is being eliminated."
Me "I understand" (I didn't). But I saw it coming since I had basically trained my replacement, I just hadn't found anything yet. This one was also hard. It took me 7 months to find a next position.
2023:
So here we are. I saw this current layoff as a strong possibility. I have nothing but respect for the great people I've worked with and the hard ambition they pursue. While I don't have a next opportunity lined up yet, I have been able to plan financially to give myself some time.
Some lessons: Be humble. Be forgiving. Respect yourself, and don't see any of this as a negative reflection on you. Be determined; be patient.