I have an interview coming up in the next few days and I am wondering how I should explain my being laid off from my previous employers.

I worked for a software as a service company for the last seven years and was recently laid off.

Being laid off honestly blind sided me, the explanation I was given was that the company was going through a round of pay cuts and that I made too much money for the position I was in.

About 8 months prior to me being laid off I transferred to a different team, I was a bit overqualified for the position I transferred to and my pay was never lowered so it did make some sense to me but it was still very unexpected and unwanted. I felt like it was an odd reason to let me go but it was somewhat understandable at the same time, if that makes any sense. I had survived a few other rounds of paycuts prior to this last one, and the company I worked for left me with a very nice severance package.

The severance package allowed me to take some time off to be home with my 2 year old which was nice but I’m ready to start working again and I have an interview for another software as a service company and I really want to land this job.

If they should ask why I parted ways with my previous company I want to be able to explain it the best way I can while still being honest. I have no intention of lying but discussing the fact that I was laid off is stressing me out a bit. Any advice here would be greatly appreciated.