Give yourself time to reflect

Don’t rush into action immediately. Take a day or two to let the reality of the layoff sink in, especially if it’s unexpected. Acknowledge your emotional response—whether it’s anger, confusion, or relief—and honor those feelings.

Journal your experience

Writing down what you’re feeling can help clarify your thoughts and offer insight into what might come next. You could start with questions like, “What was great about my last role?” or “What do I need to leave behind in my career moving forward?”

Therapy or Coaching

If you’re struggling to process your emotions, working with a therapist or career coach can help. Career coaches, in particular, help you navigate the emotional challenges of a layoff and focus on your next steps with a positive mindset.

Support from your network

Reach out to friends or peers who’ve been laid off before. Often, connecting with someone who has gone through a similar experience can help you feel supported and less isolated.

Mindfulness practices

Stress from unemployment can make it difficult to stay calm. You might explore mindfulness techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or guided relaxation apps like Calm or Headspace.

The Initial Shock: Feeling Stunned

Common Emotional Experience:

• Shock is often the first emotion people feel after a layoff, especially if it’s unexpected. It can be hard to process what just happened, particularly if you feel like you were blindsided or hadn’t seen the signs.
• In the moment, you might feel as though things are happening to you, and it can create a sense of powerlessness.

What to Do:

• Pause and Process: Take time to let the news sink in. You don’t need to take immediate action. Allow yourself a few hours or even a day to collect your thoughts before you take any steps toward the next phase.
• Give yourself permission to feel: It’s completely normal to feel numb, angry, sad, or confused in the early stages. These feelings don’t need to be fixed immediately. Simply acknowledging that it’s okay to feel this way will give you space to move through the emotions more healthily.

Anxiety and Uncertainty: The Fear of the Unknown

Common Emotional Experience:

• As you move through the initial shock, you may begin to feel a sense of anxiety. This is driven by the uncertainty about your next steps—will you find another job quickly, how will you pay your bills, and what will your future look like?
• This anxiety can be compounded by external pressures, such as societal expectations of career success, family responsibilities, or the pressure to immediately secure a new role.

What to Do:

• Focus on what you can control: Anxiety thrives in situations where we feel powerless. Shift your focus to the things you can control. For example, you can control how you respond to the layoff, how you manage your finances in the short term, and how you prioritize your self-care.
• Create a daily structure: Creating a routine, even if it’s just a few hours dedicated to job searching or skill-building, can help ground you. It provides a sense of normalcy and purpose during an uncertain time.
• Mindfulness and grounding techniques: Practices like deep breathing, meditation, or grounding exercises can help you stay present and manage the anxiety. Apps like Calm, Headspace, or Insight Timer can guide you through short exercises to reduce stress.

Self-Worth and Identity Crisis: “Who Am I Now?”

Common Emotional Experience:

• Loss of identity: Many people’s identity is closely tied to their job. When that job is taken away, it can create a deep emotional void. You might find yourself asking, “Who am I without this role?” or feeling a lack of purpose.
• Imposter syndrome: If you were laid off for reasons outside of your control, you may struggle with feelings of inadequacy or a fear that you’re not good enough. You might think, “If I was valuable, I wouldn’t have been let go.”
• Guilt: If the layoff happened during a difficult economic period or your employer’s cost-cutting measures, you might feel guilty, especially if you have colleagues still employed or if you were the one let go due to company restructuring or performance reasons.

What to Do:

• Reframe your identity: Your worth isn’t solely based on your job title or role. Take time to reflect on your values, passions, and what brings you fulfillment outside of work. Write down your core strengths—things that aren’t dependent on your employment.
• Connect with a support network: Talking to friends, family, or even a therapist can help you process this shift in identity. People who know you outside of your job can help remind you of the traits and qualities that make you a whole person, not just an employee.
• Find new ways to define yourself: Engage in hobbies or volunteer work that taps into your talents and passions. This can offer a sense of purpose while your job search continues. When you feel valued for things beyond your job, your sense of self-worth remains intact.

Anger and Frustration: The “Why Me?” Phase

Common Emotional Experience:

• Anger can surface, particularly if the layoff feels unfair. You might be upset with the company, your manager, or the circumstances that led to the decision. There can also be frustration over the perceived randomness or injustice of it all.
• If you were laid off due to factors beyond your control (like company downsizing or restructuring), you may feel resentful and bitter, especially if you feel that the decision was made hastily or without consideration of your contributions.

What to Do:

• Process your anger productively: It’s important to acknowledge and release anger in a healthy way. Engage in activities that allow you to vent and process your emotions—whether it’s through writing, exercise, or simply talking it out with someone you trust.
• Channel anger into motivation: Use your frustration as fuel for your next steps. Channel the energy you feel into something positive, such as refining your resume, improving your skills, or reaching out to potential networking contacts.
• Set boundaries with negativity: While it’s okay to be angry, make sure you don’t stay stuck in that mindset. Don’t let your bitterness poison your outlook on the future. This doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine, but rather recognizing that anger is just one part of the emotional process.

Grief: Mourning the Loss of a Career

Common Emotional Experience:

• Many people don’t realize that being laid off is a form of grief. When a layoff occurs, there’s often a feeling of loss—of your job, your colleagues, your daily routine, and the security you once had.
• This stage can be particularly difficult because the loss may feel as though a part of your life has been taken away, and you may find yourself grieving what could have been if you had stayed in your previous role.

What to Do:

• Allow yourself to mourn: Give yourself permission to grieve. Letting yourself feel the sadness and disappointment can help you process the loss fully. It’s not a sign of weakness but rather a sign of emotional maturity to acknowledge the impact the job had on your life.
• Seek closure: If possible, try to have a constructive conversation with your employer or manager about the reasons for your layoff. Getting feedback (if it’s available) can provide a sense of closure, especially if the reasons for your layoff were out of your control.
• Create a ritual for closure: Some people find that closing one chapter of their life in a symbolic way can help them let go. This might be as simple as cleaning out your desk, organizing your email, or writing a goodbye letter to the job you’re leaving.

Hope and Resilience: Moving Forward with Optimism

Common Emotional Experience:

• Over time, as the anger, grief, and frustration begin to settle, many people begin to experience a feeling of hope. They start to realize that the layoff doesn’t define their future. In fact, it might be the beginning of something better.
• Resilience: This is the phase where your strength and ability to bounce back begin to shine. You might start feeling more empowered to take on the next challenge, whether it’s a new job or a new direction entirely.

What to Do:

Stay connected to your support system: Resilience is easier when you have a strong support system. Stay in touch with friends, mentors, or other job seekers who can motivate and support you through the process.

Focus on opportunity: Instead of seeing the layoff as a setback, view it as an opportunity for reinvention. You have the chance to choose your next steps with more intention, perhaps pursuing a role or industry that you’ve always wanted to explore.

Set small, actionable goals: Resilience isn’t about rushing forward—it’s about steady progress. Set small, daily goals that move you toward your job search or career pivot. Celebrate your wins along the way, even if they’re tiny.

What Are You Getting?

If you receive a severance package, review the details so you understand exactly what your employer will be providing and when. Find out how much in income you will receive, whether it will be a lump sum payment or paid in installments and whether your unpaid vacation days or bonuses will be included.

Also, determine whether health benefits are part of the severance package. If so, ask what benefits will you receive and for how long.

What Will Your Severance Package Affect?

Learn whether your severance package will impact any unemployment benefits you may be eligible for and if you need to delay filing.

Find out whether your package has a noncompete clause for your industry or otherwise restricts you from working for a competitor.

Learn where and how you can file for unemployment benefits. The sooner you apply, the quicker your benefits start.

Usually, unemployment benefits are based on your previous income and how long you worked for your last employer. Make sure you have documentation like pay stubs and employment records.

Unemployment Compensation Resources

Here is more information on State Unemployment Insurance published by the U.S. Department of Labor.
https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/unemployment-insurance

Create a “bare bones” budget and categorize your spending. Prioritize the expenses that will keep your household running. So focus on your mortgage or rent, utilities, food, and transportation.
Then assess what expenses can be cut back or delayed. Scale back “wants” and focus on “needs” that are the foundation of keeping your household on solid financial footing.
Remember that it’s just for now, and not forever.

Identify Your Non-essential Expenses

Non-essential expenses include:

• Subscriptions: Streaming services, magazines, premium apps, etc.
• Dining out: Limit dining out and opt for cooking meals at home.
• Entertainment: Cancel tickets for shows, vacations, or other leisure activities.
• Luxury items: Avoid any purchases that are “wants” rather than “needs.”

Consider which expense can be reduced or cut that is not key to keeping your household running.

Delay Large Purchases

Postpone spending on any big-ticket items that aren’t immediate necessities, such as buying a car, upgrading appliances, or home renovations.

Re-evaluate Automatic Payments

Many of us forget about things we’re paying for automatically (like gym memberships, app renewals, etc.). Make sure you’re not spending money on things you don’t need during this period.

Negotiate Bills

If you have fixed expenses that you can’t avoid (like utilities or insurance), reach out to the companies and see if you can reduce your bills temporarily or extend payment deadlines

• Contact your landlord or mortgage lender: If you’re struggling to make rent or mortgage payments, ask if they offer any payment deferral or forbearance programs, especially if your situation is due to the layoff.
• Health insurance: Look into switching to a more affordable health plan, either through COBRA or a plan available through the government marketplace, depending on your location and eligibility.
  

Avoid New Debt

Now is the time to be cautious about using credit cards or loans to cover expenses. If you already have debt, create a plan to prioritize high-interest debt (like credit cards) over low-interest debt (like student loans or mortgages) during your job search.

If you have an emergency fund, this is the time to lean on it. It’s often recommended that you have 3-6 months of living expenses saved for moments like these.

If your savings are sufficient to cover several months of expenses, be strategic about how you spend it. You don’t want to deplete your savings too quickly, especially if you’re unsure how long it might take to land a new job.

Stick to the budget you’ve created and avoid impulse purchases that might deplete your emergency fund faster than necessary.

If you have marketable skills such as writing, design, coding, consulting, etc., you can find freelance opportunities on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer. Even if it’s temporary, it can help stabilize your finances.

Consider gig jobs, like driving for Uber, delivering food, or working in retail. While these might not be your long-term career goals, they can bring in immediate cash flow.

Sell items you no longer need through platforms like eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace to generate quick cash. This can help provide short-term relief and declutter your space at the same time.

Reflect on Your Interests & Values

Ask yourself:

• What kind of work excites or energizes me?
• What values do I want my career to reflect (e.g., creativity, impact, stability, flexibility)?
• What industries or roles naturally attract me?

Assess Your Strengths & Skills

• What are you good at (technical skills, soft skills)?
• What do others frequently come to you for?
• What skills do you want to keep using or develop further?

Define Your Long-Term Vision

• Where do you see yourself in 5–10 years?
• What kind of lifestyle or work-life balance do you want?
• What titles or roles are you aiming for?

Set SMART Goals

Break down your vision into S.M.A.R.T. goals:

• Specific: Clearly define what you want.
• Measurable: How will you know you’ve achieved it?
• Achievable: Is it realistic?
• Relevant: Does it align with your values and strengths?
• Time-bound: Set a deadline.

Identify the Gaps

• What skills, experiences, or qualifications are you missing?
• What can you do to bridge those gaps (e.g., courses, networking, volunteering, mentoring)?

Make a Plan

• Revisit and refine your goals regularly.
• Create a roadmap with milestones
• Build habits or routines to support your progress.

LinkedIn is not just a professional networking tool; it’s a comprehensive platform for branding, job searching, and networking. Here’s how to use LinkedIn to your advantage after a layoff:

Optimize Your Profile

• Headline: Your headline is one of the first things recruiters and hiring managers see, so make it count. Avoid just listing your last job title. Instead, highlight your expertise and value proposition.
  • Example: “Experienced Marketing Leader | Digital Strategy | Driving Revenue & Brand Growth | Open to New Opportunities”
• Profile Picture: Make sure you have a professional, up-to-date profile photo. A smiling, well-lit headshot that reflects your professional persona can make a big difference.
• About Section (Summary): This is your elevator pitch. Briefly tell your story, focusing on your skills, achievements, and what you’re looking for moving forward.
  • Example: “A results-oriented marketing professional with over 10 years of experience in brand management, digital marketing, and growth strategy. Passionate about creating impactful marketing campaigns that drive engagement and revenue. Currently seeking new opportunities in a leadership role with a focus on strategic growth.”
• Experience Section: Update your most recent role (even if you were laid off). Include your achievements, key responsibilities, and the impact you made at your last job. Focus on measurable outcomes—numbers speak volumes.
  • Example: “Led a team of 5 in a product launch that resulted in a 30% increase in customer acquisition within 6 months.”
• Skills and Endorsements: Ensure your top skills are listed, and ask colleagues, former managers, or clients for endorsements. This is one of the quickest ways to add credibility to your profile.
  • Highlight both hard and soft skills (e.g., project management, communication, leadership).
• Recommendations: Request recommendations from colleagues, supervisors, or clients who can speak to your value and contributions. Recommendations provide social proof that you’re a strong candidate.
• Custom LinkedIn URL: Personalize your LinkedIn URL to make it clean and professional. This can be especially useful when sharing your profile on resumes or in your email signature.

Networking on LinkedIn

• Announce your availability: You can use LinkedIn’s “Open to Work” feature, which signals to recruiters and your network that you’re actively job hunting. You can choose whether this is visible to everyone or only to recruiters.
• Reach out to former colleagues and connections: Start by reconnecting with people who can vouch for your work ethic and expertise. Personalized messages work best—let them know that you’re currently in transition and looking for opportunities.
• Join relevant LinkedIn Groups: Participate in groups related to your industry, job search, or professional interests. Engage in discussions and share your expertise to increase your visibility.
• Follow companies of interest: Follow companies that you admire or would like to work for. You can see their job openings and stay informed about any new developments or news.
• Use LinkedIn’s job search feature: Filter jobs based on your skills, location, and industry. LinkedIn’s job recommendations are tailored to your profile, making it easier to find relevant roles.

Action: Within the first week, update your profile to reflect your recent work, and begin reconnecting with former colleagues or industry c

Your resume is your personal marketing document. It should convey your experience, skills, and achievements in a concise and compelling way, while also addressing the fact that you’ve been laid off.

Resume Structure and Key Sections

• Contact Information: Include your name, phone number, email address, and a link to your LinkedIn profile. If you have a personal website or portfolio, add that as well.
  
• Professional Summary: This is a brief section (3-4 lines) that summarizes your career, key skills, and what you’re looking for. Focus on your strengths and the value you can bring to a new employer.
  • Example: “Seasoned project manager with 8+ years of experience in leading cross-functional teams in the tech industry. Proven track record of delivering projects on time and within budget while ensuring client satisfaction. Seeking new opportunities to leverage leadership and organizational skills to drive business success.”
    
• Key Skills: Include a mix of hard (technical) and soft skills (interpersonal) that align with the roles you’re targeting. These could be software programs, management skills, or industry-specific competencies.
  
  Professional Experience
  
  List your most recent job experiences, starting with the most recent first. Include the company name, your title, dates of employment, and bullet points that highlight your achievements and key responsibilities. Focus on measurable results wherever possible.
  
• Addressing the Layoff
  • Be honest: If you’ve been laid off, don’t shy away from addressing it. You can include a brief statement like “Company downsized due to restructuring” or “Laid off during a company-wide reduction in force.”
  • Avoid negative language: Don’t let the layoff define you. Frame it as a part of the natural ebb and flow of a company’s business cycle and focus on what you learned or the positive aspects of your experience.
    
• Education and Certifications: Include your highest level of education, certifications, or any relevant professional development courses.
  
• Additional Sections: Depending on the role you’re applying for, you can add sections for volunteer work, publications, or languages spoken.

Formatting Tips

• Keep it concise: Limit your resume to one page (or two pages if you have 10+ years of experience). Hiring managers often scan resumes quickly, so make sure the most important information stands out.
• Use bullet points: They make it easier to read and allow you to highlight key achievements in a clear way.
• Tailor your resume for each job: Customize your resume for each application by emphasizing the skills and experience that are most relevant to the job description.
  

A job search requires a targeted, systematic approach to ensure that you are not wasting time on unqualified roles or getting lost in the sheer volume of opportunities.

• Set daily goals: Create a target for daily applications (e.g., apply to 3-5 jobs each day). To streamline your process, set aside specific hours for job searching and refrain from doing it in a haphazard, “whenever I get a chance” manner.
• Optimize your resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): Many companies use ATS to filter resumes. To increase your chances of getting noticed, use keywords and phrases directly from the job description.

Long-Term Strategy

Track applications and responses: Maintain a spreadsheet to track applications, follow-ups, and deadlines. Keeping things organized ensures you don’t miss opportunities or forget to follow up on interviews.

If you’re feeling that your skills are no longer in high demand, this is the perfect time to upskill or even reskill.

Practical Steps

• Take a gap analysis: Review the skills listed in job postings for roles you’re interested in. Compare them to your existing skill set and identify gaps.
• Enroll in courses: Consider platforms like Coursera, edX, or LinkedIn Learning for both free and paid options. For technical fields (data science, machine learning, etc.), platforms like Udacity or DataCamp offer specialized certifications.
• Learn relevant tools or software: If you’re in fields like marketing, familiarize yourself with tools like Google Analytics, SEMrush, or HubSpot. If you’re in tech, consider learning new programming languages or frameworks (e.g., Python, React, AWS).

Long-Term Strategy

Continuous learning: Building a habit of ongoing learning ensures you stay competitive. Even after you land a new job, make professional development a key part of your career.