We’ve all seen it happen. One day you’re working for a well-known brand; the next, your employer is splashed across the news for all the wrong reasons—mass layoffs, a messy acquisition, plummeting stock prices, or even a full-blown scandal.
If you’ve worked hard, stayed loyal, and built meaningful achievements, it’s deeply frustrating to think all of that might be overshadowed by your company’s bad press. You’re left with a tricky question:
How do I include this experience on my resume without dragging the baggage into my next opportunity?
The good news? You can—and should—still highlight the value of your work. Here’s how to handle the situation with professionalism, confidence, and strategic finesse.
Remember: You Are Not Your Employer
First, let’s jump off here. Job seekers often internalize the shame or embarrassment tied to a controversial employer, especially if the company dominated headlines for weeks (or months). But here’s the truth:
You didn’t cause the crisis. You just happened to work there.
What’s more, the hiring manager on the other side of the desk probably knows that. They’ve seen enough to recognize that most professionals are simply doing their best within the system they’re part of.
That said, you still want to make it easy for them to see you—not just the company’s name at the top of the page.
Make Your Resume About Your Contributions, Not Just Your Title
Avoid leading with the company name or letting it dominate the narrative. Instead, focus your bullet points on you:
- What did you do?
- What results did you achieve?
- What skills did you develop or demonstrate—especially under pressure?
Even in the middle of organizational chaos, your accomplishments still count. In fact, they probably count more.
“You’d be surprised how many hiring managers are impressed by professionals who thrived during a company crisis,” says Amanda E. Clark, CEO of Grammar Chic. “Being able to maintain performance during difficult times shows grit, adaptability, and leadership.”
If You Were Laid Off, Keep It Simple and Honest
If you were let go as part of a reduction in force, just say so. There’s no shame in it—especially right now, when layoffs are widespread across industries.
You can briefly explain in your resume or cover letter:
Position eliminated during company-wide restructuring in Q1 2025.
No need to get poetic or defensive. Just present the facts, and move on. Let your skills and results do the talking.
Reframe Challenges as Strengths
Did you stay during a difficult time and help calm the storm? Lead a team through acquisition or reorganization? Handle nervous clients when the news cycle turned sour?
Great. That’s content for your resume.
Try bullet points like:
- Retained 95% of client base after announcement of CEO resignation by implementing direct client communication plan.
- Trained and retained department of 15 during year-long leadership turnover.
These aren’t just tasks—they’re proof you can lead, build trust, and adapt. In many ways, they’re more powerful than generic “growth mode” achievements.
Be Mindful About What You Say Online
Yes, recruiters and hiring managers will absolutely Google you. If your last employer was in the headlines, and you’re actively job seeking, it’s worth taking a look at your own social media and LinkedIn presence.
What will they find?
It’s okay to acknowledge transitions or changes, but steer clear of venting, snark, or calling out leadership (no matter how tempting). A future employer is hiring you, and they want to know you’re focused on what comes next—not fixated on the past.
Don’t Skip the Cover Letter
A smart, well-crafted cover letter gives you a chance to offer context—and even share how you’ve grown professionally during tough times.
Maybe you gained new skills, deepened your empathy as a manager, or developed a new approach to strategic thinking when budgets were tight.
Keep the tone forward-looking and positive. Focus on what you’re bringing to your next role.
Work With a Professional if You’re Unsure
Let’s be honest: writing a resume after this kind of experience can feel vulnerable. That’s why many professionals come to Grammar Chic for help when they’re feeling unsure about how to tell their story without getting overshadowed by company drama.
We’ve worked with job seekers from companies rocked by:
- Executive-level scandals
- Stock nosedives
- Mass layoffs
- Data breaches
- Product recalls
- PR disasters
They landed interviews—and new opportunities—because we helped them center their strength, not the situation.
Rewrite Your Narrative (Sans the Headlines)
Whatever your employer did (or didn’t do), you still have a right to tell your story with pride. The key is to:
- Stay honest but strategic
- Focus on what you achieved
- Keep the spotlight on your personal growth
Your resume doesn’t have to read like a defense statement. It can read like a roadmap for your future—and a testament to your professionalism.
If you need help crafting a career story that outshines the scandal, Grammar Chic is ready.
We’ll help you put the spotlight where it belongs: on you.
Amanda E. Clark founded Grammar Chic in 2008. She is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and holds degrees in Journalism, Political Science, and English. She launched Grammar Chic after freelancing for several years while simultaneously leading marketing and advertising initiatives for several Fortune 500 companies.
