Managing Your Career During Layoffs

The Job Market right now is brutal... Last month I wrote a post that got a lot of attention on what I would do I lost or left my job today. Hundreds of you all shared your reflections, advice, frustrations, and coping strategies for navigating career transitions in the comments. So here’s Part Two... a crowd-sourced sequel, built from your insights and experiences. If you missed the first post, it’s linked in the comments. If I lost (or left) my job tomorrow… and had to rebuild again… here are 7 more things I’d do (this time, sourced from you): 1. Rest. Seriously. As so many people reminded me, you can’t job-search on an empty tank. Sleep. Move your body. Get outside. Take a walk without headphones. It’s not wasted time... it’s recovery. 2. Process the Grief. Job loss isn’t just logistical, it’s emotional. It can mess with your sense of worth and routine. Therapy, journaling, or simply talking with friends helps keep that perspective: the layoff isn’t personal, even if it feels that way. 3. Volunteer or Give Back. A number of you said this was the game-changer. It keeps your skills fresh, expands your network, and reminds you you’re still useful. Teaching, mentoring, community clean-ups, pro bono consulting -- all count. 4. Reflect Before You React. Don’t rush into 100 applications. Take a beat to ask: what actually fits my life now? What kind of people, pace, or purpose am I looking for? As one commenter said: read the market before reacting to it. 5. Rehearse Your Story. Practice talking about your transition with clarity and confidence. People want to help, but you have to help them help you. Rehearse the story you’ll tell ... one that’s forward-looking, honest, and hopeful. 6. Experiment and Build. Start that small consulting project, side hustle, or creative outlet. It doesn’t have to become your next full-time thing, but it might. Treat it as a low-stakes lab for learning, momentum, and confidence. 7. Find (and Be) a Support System. Friends. Family. Former coworkers. Coaches. Fellow job seekers. The comment section themselves became a kind of group therapy thread... proof that community matters more than ever. None of this fixes the broken systems -- but it does make the process less lonely. If you’re currently in transition, what’s been helping you? What would you add? Sharing is CARING.

Layoffs cost 10X to 100X more than they save, but HR’s data only covers compensation, so business leaders only see savings. I use data to talk at least one CEO out of layoffs every month. Here’s how to protect your team from the chopping block. Quantify the Loss: The most common mistake is making the case with the value the team has created and the projects it has delivered. CEOs think about future value, not past gains, when making layoff decisions. What projects won’t deliver and how much revenue will be lost? CEOs need growth now more than ever. Build the case with data that quantifies the forward-looking value on the team’s product roadmap. Emphasize This Year’s Losses: Your CEO is being told that after an initial cost in the next 1-2 quarters, the business will see higher margins. Quantify this year’s lost revenue in big, bold terms. Showcase how internal efficiency initiatives will save the company more than the team costs. What external teams will miss their goals? Everyone advocates for themselves, so you’ll stand out by getting other leaders to add their voices. Use external teams’ KPIs and connect them to top-level strategic goals. Reduce Costs Without Reducing Headcount: Take high-cost, low or uncertain returning projects off the roadmap. Optimize hardware and cloud utilization. Push out tool and infrastructure purchases. Consolidate and put pressure on vendors to offer discounts. I frame this as, “I can’t reduce the staffing budget, but here are other areas where I can provide similar savings this year.” Instead of saying “No,” give your CEO alternatives and new options. Focus on informing vs. convincing. Every company’s CEO and CFO are taking a hard look at the technology budget, and layoffs are being discussed quarterly. Be proactive. Assume it’s coming and prepare the case now. Your team and career will be better off if you do.

If I got laid off today here's what I'd do: First, I'd breathe. Just breathe. For 24 hours, I'd let myself feel it all. The shock, the anger, the fear. Then I'd get to work: 1. Refresh my resume. Achievements over responsibilities. Stats. Results over tasks. 2. Same with my LinkedIn profile. Update, refresh. Highlight accomplishments and measurable impacts. 3. Reach out to people in my network. Not with "I need a job" messages, but with genuine reconnections. On LinkedIn and any other communities. 4. Build in public. Share my journey, what I'm learning, the wins and the struggles. 5. Avoid wasting time on job boards. I'd find decision-makers and build relationships instead. 6. Protect my mental health. Fiercely. Morning routines. Exercise. Time blocks for applications and networking, with clear boundaries. And, most importantly: I’d put a post-it note somewhere visible to remind myself MY WORTH ISN’T TIED TO MY EMPLOYMENT STATUS. I know this path intimately. Both from personal experience and from guiding hundreds through it. The toughest part of being laid off isn't the job loss. It's the identity crisis that follows. But sometimes your greatest career breakthrough is on the other side of what feels like failure. It was for me. What would you add to this list? What helped you bounce back from a career setback?

Lost Your Job? Think of It as a New Beginning.?? Seeing posts about layoffs from big companies like Amazon can feel scary. For many people, it’s not just news—it’s a big shock and a hard time. If you or someone you know has lost a job, remember this: ➔➔It’s okay to feel sad or afraid. ➔➔This is not your failure. It’s just a pause, a chance to start again. And maybe this is the right time to learn new things and move toward the future of work, especially with AI and technology growing fast. Here are 20 simple steps, divided into three stages, to help you recover and move ahead with confidence: ≫ I. Process & Heal (First Week) 1. Take 1–2 days to relax and calm down. Don’t rush. 2. Make a simple daily plan—include time for job search, learning, and some exercise. 3. Talk to friends or share your story online. Being honest helps you connect with others. 4. Rest properly. A fresh mind gives better ideas and confidence. ≫ II. Prepare & Rebuild (Next Few Weeks) 5. Update your LinkedIn and resume. Add numbers to show your achievements. 6. Decide what kind of job you really want next. 7. Talk to mentors or old colleagues. Networking is better than just sending random job applications. 8. Use November and December to get ready. Companies start hiring more in January (Q1). 9. Add the right keywords on LinkedIn so recruiters can find you easily. 10. Focus on companies that are still hiring or growing even now. ≫ III. Upskill & Pivot (Build Your Future) 11. Learn new skills—especially in AI, automation, and data. These are in high demand. 12. Share your learning journey on LinkedIn or social media. Show you are growing. 13. Read, comment, and post online about your field. It helps people notice your expertise. 14. Look for new roles or industries where your skills can still fit. 15. Improve soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. 16. Try freelance or part-time projects to stay active and earn while you search. 17. Keep learning every week—stay curious! 18. Check your progress every week. Even small wins count. 19. Don’t lose hope—every step is taking you forward. 20. Remember: This is not just about getting another job—it’s about creating your next chapter. A layoff can be a blessing in disguise. Let’s use this moment to grow, learn, and build something even better. #Amazon #Layoffs #bounceback

Your coworker bestie just got laid off. Here’s how to show up without saying “let me know how to help.” I’ve learned that the best support is specific, human, and consistent. Here are 6 ways to actually be helpful: 1. Offer specific help “Want me to review your resume or LinkedIn?” “Want me to connect you with my recruiter friend?” When you’re specific, they don’t have to carry the emotional labor of figuring out what to ask for. 2. Share job leads thoughtfully Don’t just send random links. Say, “This role made me think of you because it fits your experience in [X].” Tailored is better than volume. 3. Normalize the grief Say, “This sucks and you have every right to feel however you feel.” Before trying to fix it, hold space. 4. Brag about them Write a LinkedIn post about how brilliant they are. Tag them. Highlight their impact and skills. Visibility is support. 5. Send a little joy A meme. A playlist. A coffee gift card. A voice note. It’s not a fix, but it’s a reminder that they’re not alone. 6. Make plans that don’t involve work Go for a walk. Get lunch. Binge a show. Sometimes the most healing thing is being reminded they are more than their job. We rise by showing up for each other. Always. #theBOLDjourney #layoffs #careeradvice #support #jobsearch #microsoftlife #microsoft

Getting laid off feels personal, even when it’s not. Even when you know it’s about budgets or restructuring, not performance. But the emotional impact is real. Shock. Shame. Fear. Pressure to figure it out fast. If you’ve just been laid off, here are the first 3 things I want you to do: 1. Pause, don’t panic: Take a breath before you update your LinkedIn or start firing off applications. Clarity matters more than speed. Give yourself permission to feel and reset before you act. 2. Document your impact: While it’s fresh, write down what you accomplished in your last role. Metrics. Projects. Feedback. These will shape your resume, your interviews, and your confidence. 3. Reconnect with your network: Not with desperation, but with honesty. Let trusted contacts know you're exploring what's next. Most opportunities don’t come from job boards. They come from conversations. Getting laid off doesn’t erase your value. It just opens the door to something that fits better now. You are not starting over. You’re starting from experience. And you don’t have to do it alone.

We are seeing increased job cuts amidst a corporate push to invest in AI. Just last week (Oct 28, 2025), Amazon said it will reduce ~14,000 corporate roles as it leans into AI—part of a wider restructuring trend across tech. So how should we deal with AI-led downsizing? As I regularly discuss with students in my courses on Human Resource Management, and as I argue in this article here, there are a few better practices when considering job cuts. Before you cut: ✔️ Ask if cuts are truly necessary. Could redeployment or reskilling achieve the same productivity gains? Layoffs take personnel costs off the P&L, but they add severance, future hiring/onboarding/training costs—and harder‑to‑price hits to reputation, customer relationships, and employer attractiveness. ✔️ Crowdsource the redesign. Involve employees in simplifying/automating work and promise a path to a new role when they help make their old one obsolete. If cuts are unavoidable: ✔️ Go once, go fast. Multiple rounds crush morale and productivity. ✔️ Communicate like a public company. Disclosure rules often require simultaneous external/internal updates, so pre‑briefs may be limited—but you can still coordinate support, manager toolkits, and Q&A to launch at the same moment. ✔️ Offer real help. Internal mobility windows, outplacement, warm introductions to partners, and clear timelines signal respect and reduce uncertainty. Transparency and reassurance—at the same time: ✔️ Paint a tangible vision of the future. People tolerate disruption better when they can see where it leads. ✔️ Share scenarios, not certainties. Be honest that the future is fluid; lay out plausible paths and what would trigger shifts. ✔️ Commit to a cadence. Promise timely updates when assumptions change—and keep that promise. Leaders don’t control the pace of AI, but they do control how they navigate it, with clarity, dignity, and accountability. #Leadership #AI #FutureOfWork #HR #ChangeManagement

Layoffs have a way of turning your whole identity into a question mark. One day you’re the person who does the thing—the editor, the product lead, the finance brain, the “I can fix this” one. And then suddenly the role is gone, and your mind does what minds do: What’s wrong with me? How am I going to pay the bills? What do I even do next? This week on Hello Monday, I sat down with Victoria Foster—executive coach and co-founder of FutureWomenX—to talk about what happens after the layoff. Not the “update your resume” checklist (important). The other part: the part where fear makes you shrink, or scramble, or try to think your way out of the problem alone. Victoria offers a different starting point: ➡️ A layoff isn’t a verdict. Often, it’s a system shifting—not a measure of your worth. ➡️ Your job is not your self. If you define yourself only by the skills you’ve been rewarded for, a layoff can feel like annihilation. But your gifts like curiosity, pattern-spotting, making people feel safe, seeing the unseen will travel with you. ➡️ Reclaim your story. Bitterness can be real and justified. But staying stuck in the company’s version of what happened hands them your agency. ➡️ Don’t do this in your head. Community matters, especially when you’re scared. If you’re in the aftershock of a layoff, or if you can feel one coming, this conversation will help you breathe and get your footing back. Find us here: 🎥 YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gwbUM5rY   🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gbApx_SR   🎧  Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gtptWAGA (And if someone you love is in it right now, send them this episode. Seriously.) #HelloMonday #Layoffs #CareerTransition #Work #Resilience #Leadership

In times of layoffs, it’s natural to want to help. But sometimes good intentions can miss the mark. Here are a few tips on how to show up with empathy, action, and respect. Let’s lift each other up the right way. ✅ Things to Do When Supporting Someone Who's Been Laid Off: 1. Reach out and check in: A simple “Thinking of you, here if you need anything” can mean a lot. 2. Listen without judgment: Sometimes people just want to vent. Resist the urge to immediately give advice. 3. Offer specific help: “Can I review your resume?” is more helpful than “Let me know if I can help.” 4. Reshare their posts: Amplify their visibility by engaging with and resharing their job search updates. 5. Share job leads or referrals: Even if it’s a small lead, pass it along. You never know what might help. 6. Be patient and inclusive: Invite them to networking events, community meetups, or online groups. 7. Respect their pace: Everyone processes a layoff differently. Some bounce back fast, others need time. ❌ Things Not to Do When Someone's Been Laid Off: 1. Don’t say “Everything happens for a reason.” It can come off dismissive when someone is still processing. 2. Don’t pressure them to be “productive.” Healing and regrouping is also part of the process. 3. Don’t make it about you. “When I was laid off…” can be helpful only if they ask for advice. 4. Don’t treat them like they’re broken. They’re still talented, capable professionals. 5. Don’t assume they’re available for free work. “Want to work on my startup?” without compensation isn’t support. To anyone navigating unexpected changes right now, please know this: a layoff is a chapter, not your story. You are still skilled, still valuable, still needed. Take a deep breath. Take time to grieve. But then, dust off that resume, tap into your network, and remember your worth. If you need eyes on your resume, a mock interview, or just someone to talk to- my inbox is open. You’ve got this. #Layoffs #Support #CareerGrowth

If you just lost your job, take a deep breath. You’re not alone, and this will not define you. I’ve been there twice. And I wish someone had told me these things the first time. 1/ Don’t wait. Don’t take a few months to “feel better.” Take a few days then start. Momentum is what rebuilds confidence. Every day you stay still, it gets harder to move again. You don’t need a 30-day plan. You just need to take the next right step. 2/ Know your value. Hone in on your expertise, your strengths, and the kind of impact you actually create. You’re looking for the right fit, the place where your skills solve a real problem. I like the book YouMap to help with this. Clarity is your advantage. 3/ Show you’re open confidently. Yes, post the “open to work” update. Visibility matters, but how you show up matters more. Don’t post from panic. Post from purpose. Show your skill set. Share your thinking. Talk about what you do best. That’s how people remember you and want to refer you. 4/ Stay narrow. Being broad doesn’t attract more opportunities. It attracts the wrong ones and it makes it harder for people to be able to help you or refer you. Focus your search. Tailor your résumé and profile to one type of role. You’ll be surprised how quickly doors open when you know exactly which ones you’re knocking on. I didn’t realize it at the time, but getting laid off was what led me to consulting, the career I was meant to build all along. If you were just laid off, please remember this is temporary. The uncertainty feels big, but it won’t last. Action builds momentum. I’m rooting for you. #careers #opentowork