#64: The 8-Step Post-Layoff Protocol: A "Go Bag" for Your Career
What to include in your “Break Glass in Case of Layoff” toolkit, so you don’t have to figure it out while you are spiraling.
Laid Off Life is a place of respite for the weary workforce. Whether you’re unemployed, underemployed, or just trying to make it through the workday, let this be your 5-minute mental break from the grind of late-stage capitalism.
The Post-Layoff Protocol: A "Go Bag" for Your Career
Getting laid off is like being tossed out of a plane without a parachute. It’s terrifying, disorienting, and suddenly you’re free-falling into the unknown. But just like you’d keep an emergency “go bag” ready (or at least say you’ll get around to it), having a post-layoff protocol can cushion the blow. I didn’t have one—full confession, I don’t have an actual “go bag” either—but I wish I did. Here’s what I’d recommend including in your “Break Glass in Case of Layoff” kit, so you don’t have to figure this shit out while your nervous system is in overdrive.
Step 1: Celebrate (Yes, Really)
Okay, you’re probably devastated (or at the very least discombobulated). But hear me out. Take one day (or even a whole week) to bask in the small luxury of not having to show up to work on Monday. Toast yourself, get friends together for an impromptu dance party, or indulge in a fancy 3-course dinner (I did, and it was worth every bite). Soak it up. Celebrate momentarily because there will be plenty of rage, self-reflection, and uncertain times in the days ahead.
Step 2: Rally Your Support Team
When life goes sideways, you need your crew. What kind of support do you need to avoid spiraling into an abyss of anxiety and potato chips? This could mean enlisting a lawyer, a financial advisor, a career coach, a therapist, or just a ride-or-die friend who’ll listen to you vent without trying to “fix” things. Send a raven to the people you’ll need in your corner to keep you grounded, sane, and moving forward.
Step 3: Get Real About Your Finances
Before doing anything else, take a moment to get clear about your financial situation. Figure out how much you have in savings, what your severance looks like (if any), and how much unemployment you might be eligible for. Take stock of any ongoing expenses you can scale back immediately—subscriptions, unnecessary splurges, etc. Don’t do this out of fear or anxiety; do it so you have a realistic view of what you’re working with. Knowing where you stand financially will help you make informed decisions moving forward.
Step 4: Grab Your Journal
Your emotions are about to surge like a tidal wave crashing ashore and no one—not even your therapist, career coach, or supportive friend who’s heard the same story three times—will have the bandwidth for it all. That’s where journaling comes in. Write. It. Down. Brain dump your thoughts, process your feelings, get your thoughts down, and let it all out. You don’t need to be eloquent—just let the pen do the heavy lifting. Trust me, your journal can take it.
Step 5: Zhuzh Up Your Digital Presence
You know those things you always keep updated (or mean to)? Yeah, it’s time to update your LinkedIn, resume, and portfolio. Before you do anything else, tighten up your bio, refresh those skills, and make sure your portfolio showcases your best work. If this leads you to the gates of your next existential crisis, call in the pros—my recommendation is the Keva Dine Agency’s LinkedIn Tune-Ups and Portfolio Audits. They’ll make you look like a star while you’re busy sorting through your next steps. But seriously, I will NEVER not keep these things updated ever again. Lesson learned.
Step 6: Prepare to Network
I know, I know. The word “networking” feels like a dirty word when you’re still reeling from a layoff. But this doesn’t have to mean schmoozy cocktail hours or awkward coffee chats. Before you send that first “Let’s grab a virtual coffee” message, take a beat with your support team or your journal to get specific about what you’re looking for, at least in the short term. (Thinking of the long term was way too overwhelming for me after my layoff. That came later.) Are you after freelance gigs? A full-time role? Collaborations on passion projects? Consulting jobs? People genuinely want to help, but you need to help them help you. The more specific you are about how you can be helped, the easier it is for your contacts to connect the dots (and you to get what you want).
Step 7: Get Moving (Literally)
Not on the job search. Get your body moving. If you’re going to be on application and networking marathons, balance it out with actual movement. Go for walks, do yoga, dance around your living room—whatever gets your blood pumping and clears your head. A layoff is mentally, emotionally, and spiritually exhausting, so it’s crucial to have physical ways to blow off steam and reset.
Step 8: Embrace the Uncertain Path
No one loves uncertainty (certainly not me!), but losing your job can open you up to opportunity and gifts you didn’t even know were there…if you allow it. I know it doesn’t seem that way right now, but maybe you’ll explore a side hustle, start a new project, or reconnect with old hobbies. The point is, before you do anything at all, you have to decide what mindset you’re going to approach this whole thing with. Choose to lean into the uncertainty. Don’t fight it. Give yourself permission to veer off the traditional path if that’s what feels right. Use this time to experiment, dabble, and find out what brings you joy even if it doesn’t make logical sense right now.
There you have it—the post-layoff protocol I wish I had, ready to deploy should life throw a layoff your way. Remember, it’s okay if you don’t have it all figured out. Nobody does. But with a little prep, a lot of support, and a willingness to explore new possibilities, you’ll navigate the rocky terrain and emerge on the other side, stronger and more resilient in your career.
🎧 ICYMI: Check Out My Interview on The Girl Crush Podcast
I was honored to talk about the necessity and struggles of self-promotion, how to let your creativity flourish, the importance of leaving blood on the page, and the many roads that lead to entrepreneurship on the latest episode of The Girl Crush Podcast with Donna Pecci. Listen now!
Have a question, suggestions, or thoughts? Message me!
Have thoughts about what you read, have suggestions for future topics, or a question you want me to answer? Send me a message!
Become a paid subscriber!
This newsletter is a reader-supported publication. If you enjoy Laid Off Life, consider becoming a paid subscriber. In honor of the impending sweater weather, subscribe now and receive 50% off an annual membership.