Immediate Steps to Take After a Mass Layoff: Career Change

Getting laid off can feel like the ground has disappeared beneath your feet whether you’re one of hundreds affected by a tech industry downsizing or part of a smaller company restructuring. It’s normal to feel uncertain about the future and let’s be real with layoffs, it sucks. What do you do after being laid off? How do you pick your career up and find stability after a layoff?

A dystopia is created we get in our heads, and many spiral. It’s important to keep your morale high. Ultimately, it’s a point in your path that massively forks; how you handle the situation greatly impacts your future. It’s important to pick things up, stay focused, and make the best of the situation for the future. Resilience and strategic planning are key to bouncing back.

So here we go, mass layoffs create unique challenges and opportunities for your career journey. Focusing on networking, job searching, reskilling/upskilling, and exploring alternative career paths, will help rebuild your career and find new opportunities. An intense guide will help you navigate the job market and regain your footing after a mass layoff. Here it’s explained through updating your resume efficiently, creating your career path.

Immediate Steps After a Layoff

The first few weeks after a layoff are incredibly crucial. It’s normal to feel a range of emotions, it’s important to shift your energy and time into career planning and financial planning so you can regain control. Your mind can boggle during these situations so I’ve narrowed down some immediate steps to take.

Quick Actions to Take

File for unemployment benefits immediately
Review your severance package and healthcare options
Create a budget to understand your financial runway
Update your resume, and while fresh on your mind add skills and accomplishments
Begin networking while your industry connections are fresh

Reassessing Your Career Path

Defining Your Career Change

Before jumping back into job applications, take time to evaluate where you want your career to go. This pause can make a challenging situation into an opportunity for growth. Your existing skills and experiences are valuable assets that can open many doors. Here I’ve created a framework of questions to help you define your next step.

Ask Yourself:

What aspects of your previous role did you enjoy most?
Which industries are currently growing and hiring?
What skills do you have that might transfer to other fields?
Which roles might offer more stability in an AI-driven economy?
What job titles can I apply for with my skills?

Set Clear, Achievable Career Goals

Define both short-term and long-term goals. These could include securing interviews, completing a certification, taking new courses, or transitioning into a new industry. Having clear goals will provide focus and motivation.

New Opportunities through Reskilling and Upskilling

Technology and industries are evolving rapidly. Learning new skills makes you competitive and opens doors to different career paths. Consider focusing on high-demand areas.

Key Areas to Reskill:

Technical skills like coding, digital marketing, and data analysis are important skills of the future.
Soft skills like leadership, adaptability, and communication remain top priorities across job openings.
Industry specific knowledge & certifications in areas like healthcare, project management, or finance can also enhance your expertise.

Where to Upskill:

Online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning.
Certifications such as Google Certifications, PMP, or AWS.
Community programs, workshops, or local colleges.

Updating your Resume

Creating a resume is super important, but what information do you add to it? How much is too much? What’s an ATS? What information is needed? We all know the typical “only a 1 to 2-page resume” and “recruiters only take 6 seconds to look at the resume” Even after following those basic rules, how should you make your resume? I’ve recruited for various companies in the past myself and let me tell you even though most people know this basic concept of resumes, many get it wrong. The attention is short for your resume, but you need to grab that attention FAST. This is how you do that.

Resume Tips:

Match keywords from the job description
Highlight relevant achievements
Quantify results where possible
Remove irrelevant information
Make it Applicant Tracking System (ATS) friendly

What’s an ATS?

Modern job applications pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) before reaching human eyes. An ATS is a software used for the hiring process to narrow down the qualified candidates for the position. The easiest way for your resume to be ATS-friendly is to keep it simple, and relevant and use keywords (skills). Here’s how to not get lost in the abyss:

ATS Optimization Strategies

Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills)
Include keywords from the job description
Avoid tables, graphics, or unusual formatting
Use common fonts like Arial or Calibri
Save in the requested format (usually .doc preferably .pdf)

Building a Strong Online Presence

The biggest thing people don’t understand sometimes is that marketing is everything. This is especially true in this modern day and age. Job posting like to be seen as appealing and want to attract the best candidates so job posting is about reaching the right candidate for the company. On the other hand, applying for a job is also marketing. You need to market yourself, emphasize your skills, and show why you’re qualified for the position, as well as your fit into the company.

LinkedIn Optimization

Some love it, others hate it. Either way, LinkedIn is an important tool as most employers check this, it serves as a digital resume and a major networking hub. Here’s some key tips to help brighten your profile:

Use a clear headshot
Write an engaging headline
Make a compelling summary
Include relevant keywords for your industry
Request recommendations from colleagues

Professional Portfolio

Create an online portfolio showcasing your work like GitHub for technical projects or even personal websites with your work.

Networking: Leveraging Connections and Building New Ones

Traditional Networking

Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, and alumni for advice or referrals. Even engaging on LinkedIn is part of the current loop for hiring, connecting, and opening doors of opportunities. Attending career fairs, webinars and conferences are all major playing fields to help you reach those hiring.

Unconventional Networking

Explore platforms like Reddit, or Discord. Not typically the main networking route most take, but probably the more genuine route for those looking beyond the norms. Through these platforms, you can find industry specific subreddits or professional community channels in your industry on Discord.

Job Search Strategies

At times it seems hard to find a job opening that pairs with your resume. That might be because you’re searching in the wrong area. Different companies hire through different job boards. LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed are used by bigger companies to promote their open roles. There are also many other job boards that focus on high quality applicants, in specific industries that companies turn to. It’s a good idea to diversify where you search for jobs.

Effective Job Search

Sign up for job alerts to stay informed.
Focus on quality applications.
Broaden your search, and include different job titles and industries.
Reach out to recruiters effectively.

Interview Preparation

Preparing for an interview is like that dash of salt when finishing off a meal. Many don’t and that’s okay. Those who do know how valuable it is, tend to have the best success in job searching. It’s important to prepare, even if you know your industry rather well. You may stutter, get nervous, and not be able to focus on the interview.

When interviewing recruiters look for keywords in your answers so go ahead, practice, and make sure to use them. (Hint: they’re probably in the job description).

Traditional Networking

Why did you leave your last position?”
“What are you looking for in your next role?”

Interview Success Strategies

Prepare STAR method responses: effective for behavioral interview questions.
Research the company: who they are and what they’re about.
Practice for a virtual interview: make sure your setup is reliable, and pay attention to lighting, background, body language, and noise levels.

Alternative Career Paths

Though layoffs can be difficult to go through, sometimes considering alternative career paths might lead to greater satisfaction. This could be through remote work, self-employment, or pursuing a mix of passion and great skills. Alternative Career paths can be the most fulfilling, and a lifelong dream for many.

Career Paths to Consider

Freelancing platforms (Upwork, Fiverr)
Contract positions
Consulting opportunities
Starting your own business
Remote work options

Freelance and Gig Work

As more companies and customers use contractors and freelancing, it might be a good move to engage in the gig economy. The gig economy/freelance is projected to reach increase drastically by 2028 in the U.S. According to the World Economic Forum, the gig economy was valued at $556.7 billion in 2024 and is projected to more than triple to $1,847 billion by 2032. With trends and new technology coming forward, there is a shift towards the more flexible and remote work arrangements that freelance and the gig economy could provide.

Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer can help many get started, as well as get a feel for the freelancing market.
Build a portfolio and set competitive rates.

Entrepreneurship

While many realize that “job stability” through a career isn’t always guaranteed, especially with the ever-changing dynamic of technology and world markets, many are opting for entrepreneurship. All companies start from somewhere, through determination and a belief in success, starting your own business is achievable.

Take into account your current standing and network.
Research resources like business planning tools and marketing guides.
Understand the deep value of marketing for your business.
Evaluate financial risks and benefits carefully.

Mental Health Tips After Being Laid Off

Remember that many successful professionals have navigated layoffs and emerged stronger. This current time can be used to develop new skills, expand your network, explore new industries, and redefine career goals.

Tips:

Set realistic goals
Celebrate small wins
Join support groups
Practice self-care

The job market is constantly moving and adapting is your greatest asset. It’s important to stay positive and remain proactive. Establishing daily routines for job search, or even meditation to help with personal well being can help prevent burnout. Your next opportunity might be better than your last.