Six moves to make after a layoff

Leaving a job can come often with many emotions. But an expected layoff can be especially challenging to navigate.

“Our jobs aren't just how we identify ourselves in terms of who we are and what we do, they’re our source of security and our income. When all of those things are taken away from you very suddenly…it’s devastating,” says Octavia Goredema, a career coach and author of “Prep, Push, Pivot: Essential Career Strategies for Underrepresented Women.” “Your schedule immediately is gone. Your network feels like it's been ripped out from underneath you.”

Many people are currently going through this experience as layoffs permeate industries from transportation to technology to health care. In May, U.S. employers announced roughly 97,000 job cuts, up 16% from the month before and the highest for that month since 2020, according to a report by global outplacement and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

But if your job is eliminated, there are steps you can take to get back on track. Here are six moves experts say to make now. 

1. Allow yourself time to process

While it can be easy to immediately jump into job hunting, give yourself time to process the loss of your last job, if possible. Taking a few days or weeks to do activities you enjoy such as reading, exercising, getting together with friends or even organizing your home can help you get into the right mindset to find the best next opportunity for you. 

“Think about how you might want to structure the time that you now have. It can feel very isolating to suddenly not have responsibilities with your work and the connections that your work provides, so try and find opportunities to connect,” Goredema says. “Try and find things that you can do that can add to your schedule and some form of routine of your own so that you know that when you wake up, you've got something that is structured for your day.” 

2. Make sure you have all your severance details 

If your previous job offered you severance, it’s important to read through the package and understand what exactly is available to you and whether there are any actions you need to take on your end. 

“Especially in the heat of the moment, it can be easy to overlook or forget key details,” says Matt Berndt, career strategist at Indeed. “Ask for documentation that could come in handy later, and find out if you have a severance package, what it entails and when you have to accept or reject it.” 

If you aren’t sure, ask and get it in writing so you don’t miss any key information, he adds. 

Ask for more time to review the package if you need it and consider bringing in a second pair or eyes, such as from an employment attorney, Goredema adds. Don’t forget that you can (and likely should) negotiate severance. 

3. File for unemployment

One of the first things you should do if you’re laid off is gather all your documents to file for unemployment benefits. Do this as quickly as possible since there’s typically one “waiting week,” in which you won’t be paid and to account for processing time. 

“Having all your information in one place saves you the trouble of tracking it down and slowing down your filing process,” Berndt says. “The requirements vary by state, but often include your driver's license or valid ID, copies of recent pay stubs and proof of unemployment.”

The Department of Labor has a guide to filing for unemployment in each state. 

4. Get the word out 

Goredema recommends letting your network know that you’re looking for your next opportunity. While some people may feel embarrassed or don’t want to burden others, telling people you know — whether they’re your neighbor, friend or family member — that you’re job searching could lead to surprising results. 

“You don't know who other people know … it's not necessarily about that person who you're talking to, it's about the people in their network,” Goredema says. “It expands your reach.” 

It will likely get easier and easier to talk about with every new person you tell, she adds. 

5. Review your budget 

It can take time for unemployment benefits to kick in, so you need to make sure you can cover your living expenses in the meantime, Berndt says. “Break down your costs into must-haves and nice-to-haves, and consider where you can save money while you search for a new job.” 

Use that information to adjust your budget if necessary, or create one if you don’t already have a budget in place. 

Financial advisors tend to recommend keeping an emergency fund that can cover living expenses for three to six months in case a layoff or another costly surprise arises. You can keep this in a high-yield savings account so that your money works for you even when it’s sitting idly. For instance, with Current’s Savings Pods, you can earn up to a 4.00% annual bonus and you can create up to three pods for various savings goals, including emergencies. You can also create budgets for different categories of spend, which will alert you if you come close to your limit each month. If you don’t have an emergency fund in place, make note to start saving for one once steady paychecks are hitting again. 

6. Treat your job search like it’s your job 

Work provides a certain rhythm and structure to our daily lives, and when that rhythm and structure disappear, it can be easy to fall into a rut of inaction, Berndt says. 

“To avoid this, schedule your day like a workday,” he adds. “Budget time to research and explore your options, reach out to people in your personal and professional networks, stay current with trends and developments in your industry, gain new skills, take care of your physical and mental health, practice interviewing and, of course, apply for jobs.”  

Start with updating your resume and online profiles such as LinkedIn or a portfolio. Take the time to reevaluate your career options and consider a career pivot. 

“It’s certainly not the ideal way to do it, but this is an opportunity to think about where you want your career to take you. You have the freedom to explore new careers and industries,” Berndt says. ”Consider: what work did you love to do? Is there a new skill you want to learn? Something you’re really passionate about?” 

Once you’ve determined what you’re looking for, you can hit the ground running.