The 1st week after a layoff will either set you up or slow you down. Here's what I recommend for folks who've been impacted.
Instead of blasting out applications, updating a resume, or posting a story on LinkedIn, start here:
Step 1: Process and plan
Don't take action out of panic or frustration. Give yourself a moment to acknowledge the impact, gather yourself, and then make a clear-headed plan. The decisions you make in the first 24 to 48 hours often define the next 90 days.
Step 2: Capture your data
Before you lose access to company systems, record every quantifiable result you can remember. Revenue impacted, cost reductions, team size, project scope, and timelines. This data is the foundation of your resume, your LinkedIn profile, and every interview you will have going forward. Use internal contacts to help fill in gaps if you need to.
Step 3: Save your contacts
Build a list of colleagues who know your work and are willing to go to bat for you. Get personal emails and phone numbers. Record their titles. These are not just references. They are your warm network, your referral pipeline, and your fastest path back to a good role.
Step 4: File for unemployment
Do it on your last day of full-time employment, not after severance ends. File through your state's portal. Bring 18 months of work history. Set calendar reminders to check in. Do not leave money on the table.
Step 5: Understand your benefits
Read your severance package carefully. Understand what COBRA costs you. Know when your RSUs vest and whether a layoff changes that timeline. Check your PTO payout and any accelerator clauses. Most people skip this step. Do not.
Step 6: Set your LinkedIn signal
You do not need the green Open to Work banner to signal availability. Go into your profile settings and update your preferences quietly. Recruiters who have access to LinkedIn Recruiter will still see it. Your call whether to go public, but at least turn the signal on.
Step 7: Ask for recommendations
Contact your strongest supporters before they move on and get busy with new roles. Make it easy for them. Send a short message explaining your situation, then offer a template they can customize. A well-written LinkedIn recommendation from a senior colleague is worth more than most people realize.
The job market rewards people who move with intention.
Take your time, and be strategic.
Share this with others who'd find it helpful!