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A zoom call that ends with "we're restructuring." A calendar invite with your manager and HR.
However it happened, the result is the same – you've been laid off. And if you're a designer, developer, product manager, or anyone in tech, you know this feeling has become all too common in our industry lately.
First, take a deep breath. What comes next isn't just about finding another job – it's about processing what happened, recalibrating your career, and moving forward stronger than before.
This 30-day plan isn't about toxic hustle culture or jumping immediately into the next thing. It's about intentional recovery and strategic action when you're ready.
Let yourself feel it. Shock, anger, relief, uncertainty – whatever emotions surface are valid. Tech culture often pushes us to "just move on," but processing emotions is essential.
Go completely offline for a weekend. Close Slack, mute LinkedIn, and do anything that isn't job-related. Meet friends, have drinks, binge a show, go hiking – whatever helps you reset.
Set a "restart date." Mark a specific day (ideally 3-5 days post-layoff) when you'll begin taking structured action. Having this date prevents both rushing and drifting.
"The space between stimulus and response is where our power lies. In that space, we choose how to move forward."
Review your finances honestly. Calculate your runway with severance, savings, and unemployment benefits. Create a simplified budget for this transition period.
Handle health insurance. Explore COBRA options or alternatives. Healthcare shouldn't be an afterthought.
Process your work devices. Back up personal files, update your portfolio with shareable work, and return company equipment promptly.
Craft your narrative. How will you explain this transition in interviews? Remember: layoffs are business decisions, not reflections of your value.
Audit your online presence. Update your LinkedIn headline (not just "seeking opportunities"), GitHub profile, Dribbble portfolio, or whatever platforms are relevant to your role.
Revitalize your resume. Focus on outcomes, not just responsibilities. For engineers: highlight technical challenges you solved. For designers: emphasize the impact of your work.
Build a project tracker. Create a simple spreadsheet to log job applications, networking leads, and follow-ups.
Consider a side project. Is there a small technical challenge or design concept you've wanted to explore? This is both portfolio-building and therapeutically creative.
Announce your availability thoughtfully. Craft a focused post about your expertise and what you're seeking next. Avoid the generic "I was laid off" announcement that gets lost in the feed.
Reach out to 3-5 former colleagues each day. Not just asking for jobs, but reconnecting authentically. "I'd love to catch up" works better than "I need a job."
Join industry-specific communities. Whether it's specific Slack groups, Discord servers, or local meetups, targeted networking trumps mass applications.
Create structure for your job search. Set specific hours for applications, networking, and skill development – and equally important, hours when you're not thinking about the job search.
A layoff can feel like an identity crisis, especially in tech where "what we do" often becomes "who we are." But this moment doesn't define you.
Your skills remain valuable. Your experience hasn't disappeared. The market may be challenging, but people with real talent find their way through.
The most important thing isn't just finding another job – it's approaching this transition intentionally, so your next role is an evolution, not just a replacement.
At WCFC Academy, we've helped professionals at all career stages craft resumes that get results, even without traditional experience. Through our frameworks and personalised guidance, we transform the job search from a source of anxiety into an opportunity for authentic self-presentation.
Ready to break free from the constraints of the "experience required" cycle? Take the first step today with our free Gallup StrengthsFinder Assessment. Understanding your innate strengths provides the foundation for a compelling resume that showcases who you really are, not just where you've worked. Let's get to building unshakable professional confidence now.
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