you’ve been laid off. here’s your plan for the first week afterwards…
I’ve been watching the recent wave of layoffs with a heavy heart, but also with a critical eye. What’s staggering isn’t just the sheer volume of people affected—it’s the profile of the “culprits.”
We are seeing hundreds of thousands of high-income earners from companies like Google and Meta suddenly standing on the sidewalk. The old safety net—“If I get cut from one tech giant, I’ll just go to the next”—has vanished.
I have navigated this storm five times. If I can do it five times, you can certainly do it once. Here are your tips for the first week post-layoff (and come back here to Pivot Points for week 2).
Phase 1: The First 72 Hours (Processing & Logistics)
The moment you are let go, you will experience a cocktail of shock, grief, guilt, and fear.
This is a major life event. Do not panic. * Communicate Immediately: If you have a partner or spouse, tell them the moment you get home. Facing this with a “backstop” makes the emotional load manageable.
Secure Your Baseline:
Once the final papers are signed, ignore the urge to hide. Instead, get a clear picture of your immediate financial standing.
File for Unemployment (EDD) Now:
Do this on Day 1 or 2. In California, the maximum $450/week may seem small compared to a tech salary, but it serves two purposes: it’s a regular “paycheck” that adds up to $11,000 over time, and the act of filing gives you an immediate sense of control. Take your time with the application; with hundreds of thousands of claims in the system, a single error can cause a massive delay.
Check Your Package:
Confirm your severance details and activate any outplacement services offered. Even if you think you don’t need them, they are a paid resource—use them.
Phase 2: The “Inner Circle” Strategy
The first week is not the time for LinkedIn updates. Your raw emotions are still too close to the surface.
Leave Social Media Alone:
Don’t post your news to the masses yet. Instead, identify your “Trust Circle”—your true friends and close business associates, not just casual co-workers.
The Power Lunch:
Reach out to this small circle. Ask for a phone call or a lunch. Share your news, catch up on life, and ask for advice. These are the people who will provide your most valuable leads and emotional support.
Have an Answer Ready:
When they ask, “What are you looking to do next?”avoid saying, “I don’t know.” Even if you are unsure, have a placeholder: I’m looking to join a competitor in the fintech space or I’m considering a pivot into consultancy. Respect their time by being prepared. Treat these chats like interview prep.
Phase 3: Thinking “Outside the Box”
By the end of Week 1, as the rawest emotions begin to settle, give yourself permission to dream.
Evaluate Everything:
Is this the time to move to that city or state you’ve always talked about? It sounds terrifying, but there is immense freedom in the “blank slate” a layoff provides. Use this week to look way out of the box.