How To Find A Job After Being Laid Off

1. Act strategically after a layoff: Take time to process, secure your finances (severance/unemployment), and then approach your job search with a clear plan.
2. Focus on quality over quantity: Tailor your resume, leverage transferable skills, and prioritize networking to improve your chances of landing a new role faster.
3. Reframe the layoff as an opportunity: Use this time to reassess your career goals, explore new industries, or build new skills that align with your long-term growth.

Generally, being laid off is when you’re let go from your job because of changes in the business or your role versus anything to do with your performance. Your company could be reorganizing, or trying to save money, or a variety of other reasons. Whatever the case, a lay off rarely, if ever, has anything to do with your work performance.

Being laid off vs. Being fired

Being laid off is very different from being fired, or let go. Generally, if you’re fired, it’s often due to issues related to your work performance. There can be other factors that are involved – every situation is different – but it usually is something you were warned about. You may have been put on a performance plan or written up and given the change to improve. When you’re laid off, you don’t often have a heads up and it’s very rarely about your work performance.

3 things to do right after you’ve been laid off

When you’ve been laid off, there are a few things you want to make sure you have in order to be secure as you’re searching for your next job opportunity.

1. Take time to process

While you probably want to jump right into the job search, you might be reeling from losing your old job and that’s okay! That’s normal. Instead of dropping applications to every open position that you qualify for right away, it’s important to make sure you’re okay and in a good place. So, first, take some time to breathe.

This is especially important if you’re feeling really negative about what happened. If you’re doubting your skills and your hard work, it’ll be tough to convince a hiring manager that you’re excited and ready to start a new job. Take time for a reset and time for self-care. A week without job searching won’t set you back.

Besides using the time to process what happened, it’s a good idea to start thinking about your career. Was your job something that you still want to do, but at another company? Do you even want to work in the same industry? Think about your career goals and what might really make you happy going forward.

2. Make sure your paperwork is in order

If your company offered you a severance or any kind of benefits package as part of your layoff, make sure everything is in order and you understand what you’re getting. These benefits could be especially helpful to you if it takes time to find a new job.

3. File for unemployment

Unemployment benefits exist for these very circumstances and are especially helpful if you don’t have other income or savings to fall back on. You may be out of work for a week or for months. Worrying about your finances and how you’re going to cover your bills while you’re looking for a new job can leave you stressed and unable to focus on what you need to do to find your next position. Unemployment can help you ease that stress and stay on top of everything.

The process for applying and eligibility requirements can differ in each state so check out the information available on your state’s website for next steps.

Watch: Tips from a Hiring Manager

Step-by-step guide to finding a job after a layoff

After you’ve been laid off and taken a moment to process everything, you’ll want to jump into applying for new jobs. Depending on what industry you’re in, finding a new job can be easier said than done, so it’s a good idea to

1. Update your resume and LinkedIn

Make sure your resume is up to date and as ready to send off as possible. You will want to tailor it for different positions you apply to, but the less work you have to do can make it a much quicker process.

If you use LinkedIn (it can be a helpful tool for networking, job searching, and career advice!), make sure you update it. It also doesn’t hurt to add that you’re open to work and reach out to your network asking about any opportunities.

2. Identify transferable skills or new career paths

What skills did you develop in your last job that can be valuable in other roles and industries? Highlighting those in resumes, cover letters, and interviews can help you stand out. Some skills that are transferable to a lot of industries and jobs include:

• Teamwork
• Time management
• Leadership
• Adaptability
• Flexibility
• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Empathy
• Professional writing skills

If you’re thinking about trying out an entirely new career path, it could help to look into ways you can build new skills while you’re looking for a job. That could include volunteering for organizations in your area, job shadowing, or even enrolling in training courses if you can afford it.

3. Network strategically (not just apply online)

• It doesn’t hurt to ask friends, colleagues, and folks in your network about job opportunities at their company. In fact, that can be a pretty effective way to find a new job. Many employers prefer to hire referred candidates when they can, since they are usually likely to stay longer.
• Don’t be shy about connecting with strangers in relevant fields and industries on LinkedIn. That’s what the site is for – networking! Connecting with new people can allow you to see more job opportunities and even learn more about the industry you’re in or that you want to be in.

4. Apply Smarter, Not More

• Quality applications can be more beneficial than just submitting as many applications as possible.
• Instead of trying to apply to everything you see that you might be qualified, pick 2-3 job listings that you want to apply to each day and tailor your resume and cover letters to those specific openings.

5. Prepare for interviews (address the layoff confidently)

• Practice what you’ll say in interviews, even if you haven’t landed any yet.
• Decide what you want to say about your former position and employer, including the layoff. It’s best to stay as positive as possible, while also being honest. Layoffs are, unfortunately, a normal part of any business, so most employers and hiring managers are pretty understanding.

Read more: 5 Secrets to Make Your Resume Stand Out

How to explain a layoff in an interview

When explaining a layoff in an interview, it can help to have a simple script in mind before you go in. Even though being laid off had nothing to do with your work or your performance, it can still fill like a failure you have to make excuses for – but it really isn’t!

When you think about how you talk about your layoff, you want to be honest, but positive.

• If asked why you were laid off, be honest and professional. If it had something to do with business needs or restructuring, mention that, but it is usually best to keep your explanation brief.
• Shift focus from there to:
  • Results you created for your organization
  • Skills you’ve gained
  • Growth you’ve had or helped the company gain

Common challenges after a layoff (and how to overcome them)

Common challenges after a layoff include

• Rejection fatigue. When you’re submitting lots of applications and getting no responses, or getting interviews but landing the job right away, it can start to feel exhausting. After so many rejections, you can be tempted to give up. To overcome rejection fatigue, try things like setting daily limits for applications, prioritizing your mental health, and celebrating small wins.
• Confidence loss. A long job search can really hurt your confidence. But it’s important to remember that it’s not personal – the job market can often be up and down. Remind yourself of the skills you bring to the table and the great things you’re capable of.
• Mental health struggles. It can be easy to become depressed – and understandable why you would – after a layoff and a long job search. Make sure you prioritize your mental health, give yourself breaks from applying for jobs, and try to stay as positive as possible.

Read more: Low Stress Jobs That Pay Well

When to consider a career change after a layoff

After a layoff, it could be time to consider changing your career entirely instead of just finding a new job in the same industry. You may be feeling burnout from your previous industry or your previous industry may be in decline, meaning finding jobs is particularly difficult right now. Moving to a new industry can potentially offer more job opportunities, a fresh start, and work you’re interested in.

Some industries you might want to consider include

• Healthcare. The healthcare industry is expected to add about 1.9 million jobs over the next decade, so there will likely be a lot of job opportunities available. Besides job opportunities, healthcare is generally a stable industry where employers regularly need more employees.
• Skilled trades. Trades like HVAC, plumbing, electrician, auto repair, and contracting can offer reliable work and, in some cases, the opportunity to work for yourself versus working for an employer.

Read more: How to Market Your Skills to Potential Employers

Going back to school after being laid off

Besides updating your resume and searching for jobs, a layoff period can be a good time to consider going back to school. At first, you may think that it’s actually the worst time to do something like that. After all, money is going to be a huge concern until you land another position. But, there are plenty of affordable education options out there and it could be a good time to add more skills and credentials to your resume – especially if you want to switch careers or industries.

If you’re thinking about going back to school while you’re searching for new jobs, your best bet might be researching online schools. Depending on what you’re interested in pursuing, online schools like Penn Foster offer a wide range of courses and classes that could help you build new skills or train for new jobs at your own pace. And, a lot of online programs can be done in 6 months to a year!

Read more: 8 Online Degrees That Pay Well & You Can Start Today

Turn a layoff into an opportunity

Getting laid off never feels good, but instead of thinking of it – and yourself – negatively, it can be a push toward positive change. With a layoff, you have an opportunity to change your career, find a different job you love, or just spend some time refining your skills and focusing on growth. If you’re looking for new opportunities or want to explore what careers are out there, check out our job guides. You can also request more information or learn more about online programs that can help you start or grow in your career.