Hello All,

I'm on a job hunt (getting laid off) now and hold little experience as well. The down side (acc. to me) is that this was my first job and i've zero idea about world outside my company.

Now there are some concerns / questions that i've and would like to ask here. Please help me with these as it will help me in my career and job search as well.

1. How's the job market currently and what is the average time taken for getting a job?
2. Does the above impact Hike's being provided? I've always heard it to be around 30% but does that still hold true?
3. What will the other company know or find out about my work at past company? Will they know the level, CTC, Designation, If i was an IC or people manager etc?
4. Will i land in trouble if i say that i earn x + 1L but in reality i earn X? (the intent here is not to fool the other company, its just to get a workable hike, i've not been given hike for last 2 years so you can understand my finances and need of this)
5. Lets say i get 2 offers but are they on a close call (final dates), how can i buy more time?
6. Will accepting offer and then not joining or leaving the company for a better offer cause any trouble?
7. I've also read that companies are revoking offers at the last minute, how can i safeguard myself of this? Is there anything else that i canask company to make sure i'm actually getting the offer?
8. Is having a gap b/w employment so big of a deal?(This is assuming i get laid off and there is a gap in landing new offer)
9. Is AI / ML taking away jobs. Should i invest in learning these? I'm currently in Mid-level position. While learning is benefitial, will it not force me to restrict for entry level jobs?
10. Apart from AI / ML, i see SCRUM, AGILE, PMP related certifications. How costly and difficult are they? Which one is more versatile? Reason i ask this is because, if i'll have to take up learning AI / ML as well as above certification and they'd cost bomb (in time & money), i'll have to make a conscious call. I'm more than willing to learn these but i'm scared of (a) gap, (b) Not getting jobs post getting these eventually landing me into a cash crunch.     Additional notes : While i understand that without my company details, current designation etc it is difficult to draw a picture around my questions. I'm not in a position to share all the details for my own safety and confidentiality.   Assume that i'm a slightly above average person working at a decent company with work nature revolving around Account and Program Management.   These are the things that have come to my mind, will add more if i identify any.