What to Do When You Get Laid Off

Of all stressful life events, losing your job has ranked in the top 10 for years. It sucks and there’s no getting around that. On top of that, no one tells you what to do when you get laid off. It’s definitely not a topic we’re educated on. 

Getting laid off can bring about so many emotions, throw your life into chaos, and make you question everything. It’s during a time like this that a roadmap for what to do next is crucial. And as major supporters of job seekers and professionals alike, we’d like to provide that. 

9 Things to do After Getting Laid Off

1. Take a beat 

It’s important at a time like this to really feel your emotions, whether you’re sad, angry, confused, happy, whatever it is. Losing your job is ultimately a loss and it’s important to grieve that loss. Even if you hated your job, it’s a huge change and can be a scary one.

2. Amp up your self-care rituals 

This is a time to slow down and listen to your body. What do you need right now? Maybe it’s time to rest, get a good sweat in, or spend time with people you love. We’ve created a list of options for planning a mental health day that is totally applicable to this situation. 

3. Soul search before the job search 

Now that you have the time to be quiet and reflect, this is the optimal time to decide if the career you’re in is the right career for you long-term. Think of this break from a 9-5 as a reset. What would you do in an ideal world? Is there a dream career you’ve never actively pursued? These are important questions to ask yourself. Career pivots are completely achievable, they just require a little work. 

Learn more about career pivots and “energy hunts” from our friends Will Post and Macy Tanking:

4. Evaluate Resources

If you’re lucky enough to get a severance package, carve out some time in your day to budget and secure your finances. If you did not receive a severance package, this is a great time to check out other resources like COBRA for health insurance and utilize an affordable financial planning resource to create a smart budget. 

5. Update your resume and LinkedIn profile

It’s always a great rule of thumb to update your LinkedIn profile every time you switch jobs, get a promotion, or any other big career event. Getting laid off is no different. This is also a great opportunity to update your resume. If you’re struggling with where to start, we have a resume guide that will make the update much easier. 

6. Utilize your network

People genuinely want to help you in times of need and companies are constantly looking to hire great talent. This is the time to put your network to the test. First, change your status on LinkedIn to “Open To Work”. This will signal to recruiters that you are looking for a job (and makes their job easier!). Second, write a LinkedIn post letting your network know you’re looking and list a few of your key skills off the bat; this will help them ideate before they even have to scroll through your profile. Lastly, send private messages to close connections, people at companies you’re interested in, and recruiters. It could also be time to attend some in-person networking events!

7. Find a career coach

If you have the funds, finding a professional career coach could be of great value. These experts are trained in helping professionals figure out their next moves, can help you polish your resume, practice successful interview skills, and even work on getting into the right mindset. Here are a couple of resources to utilize if you are looking for a career coach:

• Boon Health - Boon Health focuses on coaching that simply makes life better. They want to help you find the right path for you and your career. Here’s how to get started with Boon Health:

• • Complete this quick welcome survey.

  • Boon follows up with two coach matching options that are the best fit for you.

  • Book your first 30-minute Zoom session with your Boon coach. Each session cost $60.

  • Users typically work with their Boon coaches in 6 session increments on a bi-weekly basis.

• Career Contessa Coaching - Career Contessa offers top-of-the-line career coaching that covers every career topic under the sun. Even better, their coaching staff is made up of kick-butt ladies!

• LinkedIn Learning - LinkedIn Learning not only provides learning opportunities for technical skills, but you can also get a refresh on soft skills. Things like empathy in the workplace, losing negative thoughts, and so much more.

8. Apply for jobs

There’s no rush. If you need time, take the time! But if you are ready to start your job hunt, check out some of the Best Places to Work in 2022, or join the Purpose Jobs community and browse through all the cool jobs hiring right now. Remember, it’s normal for the job hunt to take three to four months. Try your best to give yourself patience and space to find a new job.

9. Remember you’re not alone

A surefire way to prolong negative feelings about getting laid off is to isolate yourself. Thousands of people get laid off every single month. There are others out there who are experiencing the same thing you are. Find the support you need with those who share common ground and provide that mutual support when you can. Sites like meetup.com have unemployment support groups that actively meet and support one another. We also have an "open to work" channel in our Purpose Jobs Slack community where individuals let the community know they are job hunting.