I lost my job in 2017 and was out for almost 3 years until 2020. Some of that was by choice (we just had a baby and we agreed my wife should get a job first), but after a year and a half and going through a bunch of interviews (where I almost got the job), I ultimately landed at a FAANG.

What I did learn, and what should have been obvious, is that the longer you are out of the market, the more they think you are damaged goods.