Tell us about your professional background.
The first 48 hours matter most. File for unemployment benefits, review your severance terms, update your LinkedIn status to Open to Work, and reach out to your network before panic sets in.
Frame your departure professionally. List your end date, quantify your achievements, and tailor your resume to each role you apply for. A strong resume after a layoff is your most powerful tool.
Add your savings and severance, then divide by your monthly expenses. If you have freelance income, subtract that from expenses first. Aim for at least 3–6 months of runway before reducing job standards.
Apply targeted, not volume. 80% of jobs are filled through networks — message former colleagues, attend industry meetups, and tell people you're looking. Quality applications beat bulk spam every time.
"The company went through a restructuring that affected my team. It was a business decision unrelated to performance." Keep it brief, factual, and pivot to what you're excited about next.
Turn on Open to Work, update your headline with your target role, write a concise About section that tells your story, and request recommendations from recent colleagues within the first week.