Well, it depends on the details. Sometimes large layoffs mean absolutely nothing - for example, if a company lays off a loss-making division that's nothing to

Well, it depends on the details. Sometimes large layoffs mean absolutely nothing - for example, if a company lays off a loss-making division that's nothing to do with your work. If you work on advertising for Facebook and they lay off the entire VR headset division, your job might remain entirely secure. Sometimes layoffs mean the company is short of money - that products aren't bringing in enough revenue to cover costs, and investors aren't looking to pump in more cash. This might mean there will be further rounds of layoffs in the near future; subsequent layoffs might be less generous; and there might be a freeze on raises or promotions, no matter how well you perform. On the other hand, I've known people get big promotions at failing companies, as their superiors leave for greener pastures. So your employer being in decline doesn't always mean freezes on promotions! Some layoffs mean the bosses think bad hires have been made - that the company has too many indolent employees putting in just enough effort to not get fired. Maybe that colleague everybody knows is useless will finally get fired. On the other hand, if the bosses think people like you are dead weight, that might not bode well for your career. Sometimes layoffs mean the company has changed strategy and areas that were seen as money-makers (like adding new features to the product) are now seen as cost centers. This may indicate there will be less work developing new greenfield code and worrying about chasing the cutting edge. If you're near the end of your career that might be fine; if you're early in your career, it might mean this isn't the place to keep your skills up-to-date.