Finding Purpose After a Layoff: How to Build a Career That Matters

You’ve just been laid off.

You’re staring at your laptop, scrolling through job listings, and the question hits you:

Is this my chance to finally do something that matters?

Maybe you've spent years chasing promotions, meeting deadlines, and doing "good enough" work—only to realize that something’s been missing.

Now, as you face the uncertainty of what’s next, a bigger question lingers:

"Do I really want to just find another version of the same job?"

It’s easy to feel stuck between either financial stability or meaningful work. But what if that’s a false choice?

What if this moment—the one that feels like an ending—could actually be your greatest opportunity to align your career with something that truly lights you up?

Let’s break out of the old “success vs. purpose” mindset and reframe this career transition into a launchpad for something better.

When a Layoff Becomes a Crossroads

Losing a job isn’t just about updating your resume—it’s a forced pause, one that makes you confront the deeper questions you’ve been too busy to ask:

• Is this my moment to pursue something more meaningful?
• Can I afford to prioritize purpose right now?

These aren’t just abstract concerns. According to Harvard Business Review, people who find purpose in their work are more productive, engaged, and stay in jobs longer.

Yet, when financial pressure kicks in, purpose can feel like a luxury you can’t afford.

I used to believe that too.

My Unexpected Path to Purposeful Work

I started in the nonprofit world, driven by a desire to help people and make a tangible impact.

But over time, I craved more structure, growth, and business discipline. I assumed I had to choose—impact or career advancement.

Then I joined a major tech company—about as far from my nonprofit roots as I could get.

But here’s what surprised me:

That corporate job gave me access to volunteer programs and matching gifts that allowed me to direct $40,000 annually to causes I cared about—all while growing in my career.

Redefining Success After a Layoff

When you're unemployed, the first instinct is to find stability—which makes sense. But this transition is also an opportunity to redefine what success means to you.

For some, success means working directly on social change. For others, it’s about roles that encourage creativity, mentorship, or growth. Many people want both financial stability AND fulfillment—and that balance is possible.

As Simon Sinek explores in Start With Why, understanding your personal “why” transforms how you approach your career.

For me, process improvement work didn’t seem “purpose-driven” at first. But when I reframed it as “helping people enjoy their jobs more”, suddenly, those spreadsheets and workflow diagrams took on real meaning.

The same goes for you. Your purpose may already be hiding in the work you do—it just needs to be framed differently.

The Phoenix Formula: Rising from Career Ashes with Purpose

A layoff can feel like your professional identity has been reduced to ashes. But like a phoenix—you can rise stronger, clearer, and more intentional than before.

In my Phoenix Formula program, we use Ikigai, the Japanese concept that helps you find the intersection of:

1. What you love
2. What you’re good at
3. What the world needs
4. What you can be paid for

This framework is powerful in career transitions because it helps you balance practical needs with deeper purpose.

For example:

• A marketing executive laid off after 15 years realized her passion wasn’t just marketing—it was developing talent. She landed a higher-paying leadership role that included mentoring programs.
• A software engineer discovered he cared most about seeing his work’s direct impact. Instead of taking the first high-paying job, he chose a smaller company where he could interact with users—trading a slight pay cut for massive job satisfaction.

The takeaway? Purpose isn’t about where you work. It’s about how you work.

Finding Purpose in Unexpected Places

Purpose isn’t always obvious. Consider a Yale study on hospital housekeepers:

• Some described their work as “just cleaning rooms.”
• Others—doing the exact same job—saw themselves as part of the healing process, ensuring patients had a clean, comforting space to recover.

Same job. Radically different experience.

I’ve seen this difference across industries:

• A software engineer who saw his work as helping small businesses thrive
• An accountant who viewed his role as creating financial clarity for growing companies
• A customer service rep who approached each interaction as a chance to brighten someone’s day

Your work’s impact isn’t always about grand gestures—it’s about how you frame what you do.

Your Path Forward: Practical Steps After a Layoff

Finding purpose-aligned work doesn’t mean waiting for the perfect job. It means bringing intention to your job search.

1. Take Time to Reflect

Before jumping into applications, ask yourself:

• When have I felt most energized and engaged at work?
• What impact do I want to make?
• What kind of work makes me proud?

Even a few hours of deep reflection can bring clarity.

2. Audit Your Skills Through a Purpose Lens

Make a list of your skills, then ask:

• Which skills do I enjoy using most?
• Which skills create positive impact for others?
• Which skills align with the difference I want to make?

This helps target roles that use your strengths in meaningful ways.

3. Expand Your Job Search Criteria

Instead of just focusing on job titles and salaries, consider:

• Company mission and values
• Impact of the products/services
• Opportunities for mentoring, problem-solving, or innovation
• Corporate social responsibility initiatives

A Deloitte study found that purpose-driven companies have 40% higher retention rates—which makes them worth considering.

Your Next Chapter Starts Now

A layoff isn’t just an ending—it’s an opportunity to realign your career with what truly matters.

This doesn’t mean sacrificing financial security. It means approaching your job search with intentionality, expanding your definition of success, and finding opportunities that engage both your skills and values.

Your most fulfilling career isn’t about choosing between success and impact—it’s about finding ways to have both.

Ready to turn this career transition into a launchpad? Check out my Phoenix Formula program for personalized guidance on building a career that fuels both your purpose and success.