So You’ve Been Laid Off…What Now?

Robinhood laid off 23% of its workforce today. Oracle announced layoffs yesterday. Shopify was last week. Who will it be next week?

Unfortunately, as concerns over a looming recession escalate, many companies are taking steps to restructure in preparation for the economic downfall. The result has been increasing layoffs across multiple industries, though primarily concentrated in tech. I’ve seen all sorts of companies affected, from larger companies like Meta beginning to freeze hiring, to smaller tech start-ups laying off significant portions of their workforce. Even Google is introducing a “Simplicity Sprint,” designed to increase productiveness amongst its workforce. My guess? This is just a thinly veiled attempt to warn of layoffs in the coming months.

Getting laid off is heartbreaking. When you have a family relying on you to provide for them, it’s devastating. In my first role in a tech start-up, I witnessed a majority of the People Operations team (which I was a part of) get laid off. Friends, managers, and mentors all found themselves suddenly in search of new roles overnight. Even for those who remain employed, there is a sense of survivor’s guilt, or even fear that you will be next. That’s why layoffs should always be a last resort for leadership, as you can practically guarantee a disruption to company culture and future recruiting efforts.

Nothing I can say can make the pain of being laid off, after perhaps dedicating years of your life to your job and company, go away. So instead, here is some advice I’ve gathered along the way to hopefully help as you get back on your feet.

1. Take Some Time

Part of this is a luxury. Those who have savings might be able to take a month before looking for a role, while others may stress about losing one week of pay. Regardless of your financial situation, I highly encourage you to take the rest of the week that you received the layoff news off. Many companies will offer severance packages, which hopefully will put you at ease for at least a few days to a week. Taking some time to rest will allow you to mentally recover a bit from the shock of the layoff, and hopefully provide you with renewed energy and a clearer head when approaching your job search.

2. Alert your Network

It may perhaps feel embarrassing or desperate, but there is no shame in announcing your laid-off status on LinkedIn or other social…