How To Move Forward With Confidence After a Layoff

Losing a job unexpectedly can be one of the most stressful moments in your career.

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, but the key to navigating this transition successfully is to take proactive, strategic steps rather than reacting impulsively.

As a Fobes-ranked executive Agency Recruiter and an Accredited Master Career Coach, I’ve guided countless professionals through this process, and I can tell you firsthand that your next move matters.

It’s not just about finding another job—it’s about finding the right opportunity that aligns with your skills, values, and long-term goals.

If you’ve just been laid off, take a deep breath, I got you.? Your Fairy Job Mother is here to help.

I am pulling back the Wizard of Oz green curtain on the elusive world of executive recruiting and how to navigate you next move with confidence following the steps I take with all my clients who invest to work with me.

Now presenting to you my “Yellow Brick Roadmap” (minus toto) to taking control of your career transition and positioning yourself for success!

??The first step, Pause and Process – Give Yourself Permission to Feel

Before you start blasting out resumes, give yourself the grace to process.

I am giving you permission to FEEL THE FEELS.

A layoff is not a reflection of your worth or capabilities—it’s a business decision, and it happens to top performers all the time.

Take a few days to regroup, talk to trusted advisors, and engage in self-care.

As I often tell my clients, confidence is built in the way you show up—and you want to show up to your job search from a place of clarity and power, not panic.

??Next, Assess Your Finances and Benefits

One of the first practical steps is understanding your financial situation.

Review your severance package, any remaining benefits (such as health insurance or outplacement services), and eligibility for unemployment benefits. Create a budget to manage your expenses while you transition.

A layoff can feel like a crisis, but knowing your financial runway helps you stay strategic.

When you’re not operating from a place of fear, you’re able to make better, more empowered career decisions.

??From there, Clarify Your Career Goals and Unique Value

Before you update your LinkedIn profile or start applying for jobs, let’s get clear on what you actually want.

Do you want to stay in the same industry? Pivot? Explore a new role?

This is your chance to redefine your career path. Take stock of your skills, experiences, and what makes you uniquely valuable to employers.

One of my favorite exercises to do with my career advisory clients is to make a list of all of the job tasks you want to do, what you want to let go of and then get together a target list of ideal companies you want to work for.?

Start to VISUALIZE your next perfect role and what type of company and team you want to be a part of.?

Visualization is a very powerful tool, but of course jobs are not going to magically drop in our laps.? Once you have clarity on what you want, you need to take the action to get there.

As I often coach my clients: The best candidates aren’t just looking for any job—they’re targeting the right job. Clarity breeds confidence, and confidence attracts the right opportunities.

??Now it’s time to Optimize Your Job Search Strategy

A well-structured job search is more effective than a frenzied approach. Here’s how to optimize your efforts:

Update Your Resume and LinkedIn: Your profile should showcase your impact and value—not just list your past responsibilities. Focus on accomplishments and measurable results.

Leverage Your Network: This is not the time to job search alone. Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, and industry connections. Let people know what you’re looking for and be specific.

Pitch Yourself To A Recruiter In Your Industry*: As an executive recruiter, I’ve seen firsthand how working with the right career advisor & recruiter can fast-track your job search. ?

We have insider access to roles that aren’t even publicly posted and can help position you strategically.?

??WIZARD OF OZ GREEN CURTAIN MOMENT:

Recruiters can effectively work with you one-on-one when they have a job for you.?

If you do reach out to a recruiter asking for a connection, make sure you outline what you are looking for in your next move, location, salary and any other work preferences so that if they are not able to support you at that time, they can be sure to keep in their notes what your professional needs are when a role comes across their desk that aligns for you.

Recruiters are not always available to take intro chats, nor is it our job to find jobs for professionals.

Instead of getting frustrated, be proactive in sharing your experience with a recruiter in your email pitch and trust me, when we have a job for you, we will call you

#themoreyouknow

Be Selective in Applications: Quality over quantity! Do not spray your resume around to every single job and pray someone will see you. Focus on roles that align with your skills, values, and long-term career aspirations.

A strategic job search is far more effective than applying to 100 random positions.

??Finally, Rebuild Confidence and Stay Proactive

Your mindset is everything. (Read that again, and again and again- write a post-it and put it on your computer)

A layoff can shake your confidence but remember—you are not your job title.

You are a talented, capable professional with skills that companies need.

Confidence isn’t about pretending you’re unaffected. It’s about staying proactive.

Surround yourself with positive influences—mentors, career coaches, or professional groups that uplift you. Keep learning. Take an online course, do consulting work, or volunteer in your industry. Movement creates momentum.

The more proactive you are, the more confident you’ll feel, and that confidence will be evident in every interview you walk into.

??THE SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW MOMENT…you can find the light at the end of the tunnel.

A layoff isn’t the end of your career—it’s a pivot point.

It is your time to assess where you are in life and how you want to show up professionally in the future.?

Maybe this is your time to start your own business you have been dreaming of.

The way you navigate this time determines how quickly and successfully you land your next opportunity.

By pausing to process, assessing your finances, clarifying your goals, optimizing your job search, and rebuilding confidence, you set yourself up for a powerful next step.

Stay focused, stay strategic, and trust that your next great opportunity is just around the corner.

And remember—you don’t have to do this alone. If you need guidance, I have a cornucopia of resources to help. Your career is too important to leave to chance.

Let’s make your next move the best one yet!

??MEGHAN HOULE CAREER ADVISORY RESOURCES:

Book a FREE Career Strategy Consultation with me and let’s get you on the right track to navigating your next move, together!

BOOK A CALL WITH MEGHAN

Need a quick interview prep PEP TALK?

WATCH my GOOD MORNING AMERICA SEGMENT on How to Navigate A Stressful Job Search In A Competitive Market!

GOOD MORNING AMERICAN INTERVIEW PREP SEGMENT

Ready to get more clarity on your next career move?

DOWNLOAD MY CAREER CLARITY WORKSHEET and get yourself out of fear and into clarity and purpose to take ACTION and make big moves.

Listen to the PIVOT WITH PURPOSE PODCAST to get some inspiration on those who have been in your shoes and pivoted into their best professional lives!

Looking forward to seeing you on my calendar soon!