In 2023 alone, 1,089 tech companies have laid off 246,214 people.
Almost a quarter of a million layoffs in our industry.
Getting laid off SUCKS.
It’s sudden and, often, paralyzing.
So we put together an ultimate resource on what to do when you get laid off.
And not just *after* a layoff, but before it.
Phase 1: Before the layoff:
“If you feel like you may be heading towards a layoff, or you feel there might be a lot of restructuring that impacts your role:
- Start documenting your results now (big and small wins, data and insights, numbers, etc)
- Take screenshots of whatever you can that you’ve built (Miro or Figma boards, for example)
- Screenshot positive feedback about your work that coworkers and leadership share about you (performance reviews, messages in slack, etc)
- Update your resume periodically with results from your work! You should be super proud of everything you’ve achieved and also be keeping your CV up to date!” – Jacalyn Beales, echoed by Audrey Berkemeier, Michelle Brammer and others
“Don’t wait to build a network. The sooner, the better. You don’t want to wait to be laid off to ask for contacts.” – Sophie Choukah
This incredibly titled post is for resignations, but a lot applies to imminent layoffs and honestly many of these should be ongoing practices to fill up your results/brag folder.” – Ryan Baum
Phase 2: Immediately after getting laid off:
Mentally speaking – feel all the feels and cope how you need. Get it all out and feel the things so you can hit the ground running with a clear-ish head.” – Allyssa Eclarin
Awesome resource: Self Control & Cheese Podcast episode about being laid off
“Don’t panic.
Take a day or a few to let the reality sink in.
connect with other impacted employees to do group therapy (i have a call this afternoon for just this!)
Work your network to make genuine [re]connections.
For each role you’ve had, create a master list of impact bullet points that you can swap out, depending on a role you might apply for in the future (saves time and thought when actually applying).” – Kyle Faber
“Establish a routine. Make sure to do something that makes you feel good every day (working out, reading a book, hanging out with friends, creating art, etc.).
Try as hard as you can to remember that it’s not about you. Don’t take it personally. There are so many elements that are out of your control.
Take at least a day off once in a while. It’s pretty easy to be “obsessive” about it (“How many applications did I do today, how many calls, etc.”.) But you need to give your brain and your soul a break in order to keep going.” – Sophie Choukah
“First, breathe. It’s easy to panic and spiral but that will not help you in the end. Practice good mental health care and put a new routine into place. Ask for help on LinkedIn and from friends, former colleagues, your community network, church, etc. You have no idea where your next connection might come from and it may benefit you greatly just to ask for help.
Assess what it is you want in your next role. Maybe you were cozy in your last role and it’s time to change it up. Then start searching. You don’t need to spend all day in a doom scroll of ATS applications but do set aside solid time.
If you were the primary insurer of your household, know when your benefits expire. Take the time to get appts out of the way and medications refilled while you still have insurance. If you can join your spouse’s insurance, do it.” – Michelle Brammer
“Not going to be the resume tools person – here is practical advice I wish I had given myself in 2007 when I had my first unemployment bout”
1. Addressing money going out the door!
Do not use your liquid cash unless you have to.
Horde it and modify payments instead.
Consolidate Debt as best as you can as fast as you can
lowering payment dollar even if higher percentage relates increase the overall cost of money – you’ll pay off early when rehired)
If you have a mortgage – collect everything you can to initiate a process called a FOREBEARANCE
This is a temporary modification of your mortgage agreement to lower the payments – often to interest only – common, causes no harm
If you have less than 6mos worth of payments in liquid cash, start the process
Work with utilities
unlike most other creditors, utilities aren’t too judgy if you have a significant qualifying life event that makes it tough to pay.
If you’re not already on budget billing, get on it
Even if you are, contact them and see what options are available for a short term (six months or so)
Budget remedies
there are many great platforms out there for finding and canceling services you don’t need nor even use – billshark may still be around?
there are great tools like MINT and You Need a Budget (YNAB) that should be part of your life regardless.
File for Unemployment, Do your COBRA paperwork (and compare to self insuring)
It sucks. Do it. It sucks doing weekly filing. Do it.
2. Focus on YOU before focusing on IT
If you have any condition or penchant for depression – address it immediately – this is a tough time
Health
use your last days of health insurance to get as long a supply of your medications as possible 120 days is possible if requested the right way
Learn about prescription programs like goodrx- these plans are often better than cobra
Declutter
Physically. Sell the junk. “Spring clean” so to speak and give yourself an undistracted space to reset and pursue your next chapter. You won’t get much for the junk, but you will get a good reboot
Spiritually. You will be mad. Let it go.
Socially. There are folks that will be a distraction, and even if trying to be helpful, are hinderances.
Don’t make drastic lifestyle changes
One less cocktail, one less course, one less night out is far easier, and sustainable, than quitting life cold turkey
The most important one – MY FAIR LADY!
Sung and Said best by Carol Channing – “Put on your Sunday clothes when you feel down”
Remote work, if you do it, starts the “slob” trend (like people are doing when they fly – is that really what you want to be wearing if your luggage is lost or damaged?)
It may feel comfy, when you’re in a comfortable situation – like employed
It is hugely detrimental to self image and overall mindset when you’re in a tough time
3. The harder stuff
Close Family
Mom, Dad, Grandparent, Siblings… get that support system going.
Just like unemployment, suck it up. Average income needs to be $75,000 to afford shelter and food.
Meal trains are our friends. If you’re not unemployed, look to joining and supporting ones. Who doesn’t like a home cooked meal?
Immediate Family
Partner/Spouse
If you have separate accounts and pay different bills – this is where you need to be very communicative with your partner
Scoot things from the unemployed individual to the employed, and vice versa – depending on what end situation is optimal, especially if declaring bankruptcy is on the table
Relationships end faster over money than infidelity.
Kids
They are resilient. They are tough. They need an understanding of why they can’t get something.
Your sadness and distraction will start altering your tone to being nasty about it – because you feel you can’t be honest
Find a better way, and get in front of it.
You’re not a failure. Hiring managers are buffoons (I’ve been one literally just under 1,000 times). You’ve got this.
I hope this helps someone. Many ones.” – Peter Wheeler
“Take time to feel your feelings and figure out, when you’re ready, what you want to do next.
Talk to a lot of people — former colleagues, recruiters, industry peers, etc.
Become active in relevant, value-add communities.” – Joel Primack
“When you file for unemployment, don’t try to do it from your phone, and don’t try to do it until you’ve given yourself the time everyone here has mentioned to work through some of the emotional stuff first. When I got laid off in August I tried to file from my phone in the minutes right after the call, which was a mistake – I missed a lil notice letting me know about a document I needed to fax, didn’t fax any such thing, and got my claim denied
Even though it feels like an urgent need to get that initial claim in, take your time to get your head straight and avoid mistakes with these archaic websites.” – Lauren Diethelm
Phase 3: Seeking a new role:
“Create a sharable Google Doc (or if you have a website, a page) with details about roles you’re looking for.
Link to:
- portfolio/samples
- resume PDF download (I use a google drive link)
- What you’re looking for in a company beyond JD (culture, benefits, etc.)
This helps people share with hiring managers and not waste time finding links for everything whenever someone asks!
Here’s mine for example.” – Maria West
“Don’t put your energy into rattling off dozens of blind, online applications. It’ll demoralize and exhaust you—especially when you hear crickets.
Instead, organize your network, ask for specific help, and get lots of lunches and calls on your calendar. This is much more likely to result in an on-ramp to a job, and it’s more energizing and filled with positive externalities than submitting resumes into the void.” – Elaine Ezekiel
“I’ve been through a couple so empathize with anyone going through it.
Here’s a list:
1) Take time to heal
2) built a good routine/ritual for the day. Walks, workout, hobbies you like to do. All of a sudden you will have a lot more time. Appreciate it.
3) writing down what you are grateful for helps
4) rebuild your resume with your latest achievements
5) give yourself two weekly goals:
- how many interviews you want to get
- How many coffee chats you want to get
6) depending on your financial situation, be careful on your next move. Still evaluate and assess if it’s the right fit for you. Know your worth.
Happy hunting.” – Sander Zaydman
“I would also add, from a practical perspective:
Do not be afraid to ask for a reduced payment plan for anything. Like outstanding medical bills, daycare, student loans, anything. Most folks are understanding and will work with you.
Don’t be ashamed to file for SNAP or Medicaid. And do it as early as you can.
Don’t be afraid to take a part time job if you need to. It does cut into interview time for job processes but don’t wait until it’s too late and you’re going to default on the rent/mortgage.
More people are willing to help than you think. – Phoebe Noce
“Joining groups of others who are going the same thing is really helpful. I found a great community of other women on Elpha and they host monthly calls for those who are seeking work to connect, vent, get advice, and speak to recruiting pros.
Disconnecting my value from work was a huge piece of healing that I needed to do after coming off of a really toxic workplace. Reconnecting with nature, family/friends, community, volunteering, and establishing a healthy routine was essential for me to be ready to tackle the challenging task of interview after interview.” – Twila Liggitt
If you are job hunting, do yourself — and your network — this favor…
- Write a BCCed email to your network. Your friends, mentors, former colleagues, former business partners, etc.
- In that email, tell them you are job hunting. State what you are looking for. Specify how they can help. Even better if you can include a link to a job posting.
- Include a short blurb about yourself that they can forward to others. 50-100 words. Conversational tone. It should include a couple bona fides and a quantifiable achievement. This blurb should be copy-and-pastable for email introductions, etc.
- Follow up in a few weeks or in a month. Could be a reminder that you’re still looking. Could be an announcement of good news. Most people want to help you. They just don’t know how. And sometimes, they need a friendly reminder.
– Amanda Natividad (check out her thread on this, too)
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