What to Do If You’re Laid Off

Layoffs are difficult to process, so take time for yourself. Then plan your next career move, update your resume, and research companies of interest. Contact new people to expand your network and help land an interview.

By Lora Korpar

Layoffs are a nightmare scenario for many people. No one wants to return to the job search after feeling content in their career for several years.

Though the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said layoffs hit a record low in 2021, more are occurring this year, especially in the tech sector. Crunchbase reported layoffs for more than 45,000 U.S. tech workers hit by late October, including employees at major companies like Netflix and Twitter .

“Unfortunately, boards of companies are asking their executive teams to do more with less,” said Darren Webster, founder and CEO of professional training and goal-setting platform Goalster. “That is terminology that is commonplace. And ‘less’ means less people.”

Layoffs occur when an employer lets employees go due to financial issues or company restructuring. The layoff is not because of employee actions, like firing someone would be. But it also means the employee must find a new job, unlike a furloughed employee.

A layoff is not a reflection of your work performance or skills, so it is possible to bounce back. The right plan to re-enter the job search will help.

What Do You Do After You’re Laid Off?

Career and job search coach Elena Sabry said to not be ashamed of taking time to process your layoff before taking action.

“When I've worked with clients who were laid off, it happens very unexpectedly,” Sabry said. “It's a lot of emotions. So you need to cool down and give yourself two or three days… Some people want to take time off because they accumulated all this time. I always ask them ‘What would you do if you had all the resources?’”

If you have savings or are receiving severance pay, now could be the time to travel, spend more time with family, or learn a hobby you didn’t have time for before. Those without these resources should apply for unemployment. Each state has different requirements and applications, so research your state’s application process.

Once you are ready to re-enter the job search, consider your next career move. Do you want a position similar to what you had before? Are you considering a career change ?

“Everyone needs a plan,” Webster said. “What am I going to do? What am I best equipped to do? How can I most effectively get to that role? And who do I need to start calling?”

“Sometimes my clients say looking for a job is a job. And it is,” Sabry added. “It's your investment. So don't lose time applying here and there. Just focus, know your worth, and apply strategically using your network and the skills that you have.”

How to Re-Enter the Job Search Following a Layoff

Sabry and Webster said personal brand building is an important part of the job search.

“You need to know your value, or what you do best that differentiates you from other candidates,” Sabry said. “Consider yourself as a product because the companies that are hiring have a specific problem, and they need a professional like you. So what problems do you solve?”

Evaluate which skills and experiences best relate to the job you are looking for and update your resume. Sabry says hiring a professional resume writer is beneficial, especially if you haven’t updated your resume in a long time.

“Too many times, people apply for new jobs with old resumes,” Sabry said. “There are so many resume writers, professional coaches, and consultants. It's a huge, billion-dollar industry. People write resumes every day and they will coach you. They can guide you from the first step because you need to have your strategy.”

Start the job search once you feel confident in your application materials. While applying online works for some, Sabry and Webster said networking is key to finding a job faster.

Don’t be afraid to ask the employer who laid you off for a reference. They might even know someone who is hiring.

“We advocate leveraging your network and making sure that you're really looking at who the people are that would say good things about you,” Webster said. “Where are they working? Start to build a blueprint of who you're going to start calling first that lines up with your strategy. And you're using those tools to be able to make a really good first impression.”

Webster also recommends expanding your network by using keywords related to your field to search for people on LinkedIn. You can also try to search for someone’s email through a company website if you have a specific company in mind.

“You've got to actually engage these people, and I think it's easy for candidates to feel like they're disrupting or they shouldn't be doing this because it's not what normal people do,” Webster said. “Normal people just go on the website, but normal people don't get the jobs. It's the people who make that connection, pick up the phone, email, or message through LinkedIn, and just try to initiate some sort of discussion.”

“If that job’s not available now, at least you’re in their head. You've now created more of a network and established a connection with someone you didn't know yesterday, who could be a determining factor in you getting the job tomorrow.”

How to Succeed in a Post-Layoff Job Interview

Do not be ashamed of disclosing a layoff during the job interview. A 2019 study by The Harris Poll found that 40% of Americans have been laid off at least once. The job interview can even be an opportunity to reframe your layoff as an opportunity to try new things with a new company.

“[A layoff] is not an uncommon thing,” Webster said. “It's certainly nothing to be ashamed of. When I spoke about my previous layoff at the company that I joined right after, the first thing I said was that [the reason for the layoff] was a major company reorganization… Then you have got to pivot straight to ‘What have you been doing since then?’ [Say] ‘I didn't intend to get caught up in this, but now I’ve got an opportunity to do new cool stuff. And I called you because I want to get involved in your company.’”

“You are dependent on externalities, political factors, economic factors,” Sabry added. “So a lot of times, it's not your fault. So have your stories to tell of ‘this is what I did for them and this is what I can do for you.’ And make it short and sweet.”

Research the company before the interview. Telling the interviewer how you can contribute to the company’s objectives will give you an advantage in the interview.

“If you're going to speak to someone, try to have some sort of idea of what's happening within their world and appreciation for some of the challenges or the objectives they might have,” Webster said. “Show up differently and make sure that you really over-prepare for these interviews because there's a lot of competition and you always want to put your best foot forward.

“And I want to make a distinction between skills and value. So the value I provide is in the form of my skills, abilities, and experience. The value is ‘I can help you get to this place.’ So if you understand where they're wanting to go and you understand your own skill set and how it can be applied, it's going to connect a lot more.”

Top Takeaways

Next Steps After a Layoff

• Take a few days to process the layoff and consider your next steps. Maybe you want to vacation or spend time with family before re-entering the job search.
• Formulate a plan including your career goals, people to network with, and resume updates.
• Ask your ex-employer for references and recommendations to start expanding your network.
• Reframe the layoff as a new opportunity for career growth. Bring that energy into the job interview.