An Indian-origin professional based in California is inspiring conversations about career resilience after sharing how three lay-offs in as many years completely changed the way she approached work, job hunting, and long-term professional growth.
Vinita Kuhikar, originally from Nagpur, Maharashtra, moved to the United States to pursue a master’s degree in architecture with hopes of building an international career. Today, she works as a Construction Project Manager in Mountain View, California. Her journey, marked by repeated setbacks and eventual success, highlights the importance of adaptability in an increasingly competitive job market.
A Dream Project Ended Unexpectedly
Kuhikar said the first major setback came while she was working on Google’s headquarters, a project she had long considered a career milestone.
After spending nearly two years contributing to the development, she unexpectedly lost her role due to a lay-off.
Initially, she questioned whether she had done something wrong. Over time, however, she came to understand that workforce reductions are often driven by business priorities, restructuring, or changing project needs rather than an individual’s performance.
That realization became the foundation of a new mindset.
The Second Setback Came Within Days
Her next challenge arrived almost immediately after beginning a new position at another architecture firm.
Only 15 days after joining, the company lost the project it had hired her to support. Without that project, her role was eliminated.
Experiencing two lay-offs in quick succession reinforced how unpredictable the industry could be and convinced her that relying solely on finding the next job was not enough.
A Wedding Shadowed by Career Uncertainty
The third lay-off proved to be the most emotionally challenging.
In 2024, just one week before traveling to India for her wedding, Kuhikar received news that her position had been eliminated.
The situation carried additional pressure because she was working in the United States on a work visa, making employment changes significantly more complicated.
Instead of focusing entirely on wedding celebrations, she found herself preparing for interviews, updating applications, and coordinating conversations with recruiters across time zones.
During the day, she attended family events and wedding preparations. At night, she interviewed with employers in the United States and continued applying for new opportunities.
Shifting From Job Hunting to Career Building
Following her third lay-off, Kuhikar decided to rethink her entire approach.
Rather than sending more applications, she focused on becoming a stronger candidate.
She began testing different versions of her resume, refining her LinkedIn profile, improving networking messages, and adjusting interview responses to understand what generated better recruiter engagement.
She also changed the way she viewed hiring.
Instead of asking how she could get hired, she focused on understanding what business problem employers were trying to solve and demonstrating how her experience addressed those needs.
Her resume shifted away from listing responsibilities and toward highlighting measurable business results, project outcomes, and professional impact.
Each application was tailored to the specific role instead of using a generic approach.
Addressing Visa Concerns Through Value
As an international professional, Kuhikar recognized that visa sponsorship could be viewed as a challenge during recruitment.
Rather than assuming employers would reject her because of sponsorship requirements, she concentrated on demonstrating the value she could bring to the organization.
According to her, conversations about sponsorship became far more productive once employers were convinced she was the best fit for the position.
The experience reinforced the importance of leading with expertise and measurable achievements.
A Job Offer Before Her Wedding
Approximately two weeks after losing her job, Kuhikar received encouraging news.
While celebrating her bachelorette party—the evening before her wedding—she received an offer for a Construction Project Management role, representing a promotion from her previous position.
The offer marked the end of weeks filled with uncertainty and allowed her to begin a new chapter in both her personal and professional life.
Lessons in Career Resilience
Today, Kuhikar shares her experiences with international students and professionals seeking careers in the United States.
Her central message is that confidence is built not through permanent stability but through the ability to recover from setbacks and continue moving forward.
Career experts increasingly emphasize that professionals who continuously develop their skills, expand their networks, document measurable achievements, and adapt to changing market conditions are often better prepared for periods of uncertainty.
As industries continue to evolve and organizations adjust their hiring strategies, stories like Kuhikar’s resonate with professionals navigating an unpredictable employment landscape.
