If you just got laid off, your first week should prioritize financial first aid, paperwork, and emotional stabilization—then build simple job-search momentum. Don’t try to “fix your whole career” in 48 hours; build a calm, repeatable system.
- What to do in the first 24 hours (paperwork + money first)
- A day-by-day first-week plan you can follow without overthinking
- How to handle severance, unemployment, and health insurance decisions
- How to update your resume/LinkedIn without spiraling
- How to set up a job-search system that’s sustainable (not panic-driven)
- When it’s smart to rest vs. start applying immediately
Getting laid off can feel like your life got picked up and shaken. Even when it’s “not personal,” it’s still personal to your nervous system: your identity, routine, income, and security all take a hit at once.
This guide is designed to be practical and gentle. You’ll get a day-by-day action plan for the first week so you can regain control without burning yourself out.
Day 1 (Today): Financial first aid + documentation
The goal today is stability, not productivity. Make sure you understand the terms of what happened and protect your near-term finances.
If you were handed a separation agreement, you can usually take time to review it. If anything feels confusing (non-compete, release terms, repayment clauses), pause and get advice before signing.
Get the basics in writing
Ask HR (or your manager) for: your official separation date, severance terms (if any), final paycheck date, PTO payout policy, and whether benefits end immediately or on a later date.
Collect the documents you’ll need later
Download or request anything you may need for unemployment, health insurance, and your own records: separation letter, pay stubs, benefits info, and any written severance details.
Do a 30-minute financial snapshot (not a full budget overhaul)
Check: cash on hand, next rent/mortgage date, recurring subscriptions, and minimum debt payments. You’re aiming for a simple picture of your runway, not perfection.
- Get separation details in writing (date, severance, PTO payout, benefits end date)
- Download pay stubs + benefits info + any agreement documents
- Make a short list of essential monthly expenses (housing, food, insurance, debt minimums)
- Pause/cancel obvious non-essential subscriptions (only the easy ones today)
Day 1 is about stabilizing the ground beneath you—paperwork, runway, and fewer unknowns.
Day 2: Let your brain catch up + build support
You’re allowed to be upset. You’re also allowed to feel relief, numbness, anger, shame, or all of the above. The goal today is to reduce isolation and keep your nervous system from running the show.
Tell 2–3 safe people
Pick people who won’t catastrophize. A short message is enough: “I was laid off today. I’m okay, but I’m processing. Can we talk for 15 minutes this week?”
Create a simple daily rhythm
Layoffs break routines. Choose three anchors: a wake time, a walk, and a shutdown time. Momentum comes from rhythm, not adrenaline.
Draft a one-sentence story you can repeat
You’ll get asked “What happened?” Make it boring and factual: “My team was impacted by layoffs. I’m now exploring new roles in X.”
Treat the first few days like first aid: stabilize, get support, and make small, repeatable moves. Big life decisions and “reinventions” feel urgent right now—most can wait a week.
Your job search will go better if you protect your mental bandwidth early.
Day 3: Admin day (unemployment + health insurance)
This is the boring stuff that saves you money.
Many people delay filing because they feel ashamed or “not unemployed enough.” If you’re eligible, file early. It’s a safety net you paid into.
File for unemployment (or learn your eligibility)
The process varies by location, but the theme is the same: it takes longer than you want, and it’s easier when you start early.
Decide your health coverage path
Typical options: stay on an employer plan temporarily (often via COBRA or local equivalents), join a partner’s plan, or choose a marketplace plan. If you have ongoing care or prescriptions, prioritize continuity.
Create a “paperwork folder”
Put everything in one place: PDFs, emails, benefits letters, unemployment confirmations, and receipts. Future-you will be grateful.
Admin tasks don’t feel like progress, but they buy you runway and calm.
Day 4: Resume refresh (minimum viable version)
Today is not “rewrite your identity.” It’s “make it accurate and scannable.”
Update your top 1/3
Adjust your headline, summary (2–3 lines), and 4–6 bullet “skills/strengths” to match the roles you want next.
Rewrite only the last 1–2 roles (for now)
Focus on impact bullets with scope + outcome: “Did X, resulting in Y, measured by Z.” If you can add numbers, great. If not, add specificity.
Save two versions
Create a “general” resume and one targeted variant (e.g., “Backend”, “Product”, “Data”). You’ll tailor more later—today you’re creating a base.
Don’t spend 6 hours arguing with fonts and spacing. A simple, single-column layout beats “pretty” when you’re under time pressure.
A “good enough” resume today beats a “perfect” resume next week.
Day 5: LinkedIn + references + your short pitch
LinkedIn is your discovery surface. Make it easy for someone to understand what you do in 10 seconds.
Update headline + About section
Use a clear role + domain: “Product Designer (B2B SaaS) | Design Systems | Growth Experiments.” Then a short About: 3–5 lines, outcomes-focused.
Turn on the right signal
If you’re comfortable, enable the “Open to work” setting with your role/location preferences.
Create your outreach message
Keep it short and specific. Use the template below.
Hey [Name], I was impacted by layoffs and I'm exploring [roles] opportunities. If you hear of anything at [company/team], I'd love a referral. Happy to share my resume. Thanks! [Your Name]
Your goal is to become easy to help: clear role, clear ask, easy to forward.
Day 6: Build your job-search “infrastructure”
Today you’re building a system that makes progress automatic.
Define your target (so you don’t apply to everything)
Write down: 2 target titles, 2–3 target industries, locations/remote rules, and 10 “no” companies.
Set up tracking (simple is best)
A spreadsheet is fine. Track: company, role, link, date applied, status, notes, follow-up date.
Create your application kit
One folder with: resume variants, a base cover letter paragraph bank, and a “brag doc” of wins.
- 2 target titles + must-have filters (location/seniority/keywords)
- A simple tracker (sheet or tool) with statuses + follow-up dates
- Two resume variants saved and named clearly
- A small “story bank” (3 wins, 1 leadership example, 1 conflict example)
Infrastructure reduces decision fatigue—so you can apply consistently even on hard days.
Day 7: Start momentum (without panic-applying)
Today is the first “repeatable progress” day. Keep it small and sustainable.
Apply to 3–5 good-fit roles
Prioritize roles that genuinely match your target. Quality beats volume, especially early.
Send 2 messages
Reach out to two people: one former teammate, one person at a target company. Short, specific, respectful.
Book one interview practice block
Even 30 minutes helps. You’re rebuilding confidence through reps.
Consistency is the secret: a small daily system beats a huge one-time burst.
Week 2+: Build a sustainable application strategy
Once your first-week foundation is stable, the next step is maintaining momentum while protecting your energy.
Here’s a simple weekly cadence:
- 3–5 good-fit applications per day (or 15–25 per week)
- 2–5 networking touches per week
- 2 interview practice sessions per week
- 1 portfolio/resume improvement block per week
In weeks 2–3, consider using tooling to reduce repetitive work. For example, tools like Careery can help keep your pipeline active by automating parts of the application workflow, while you focus on higher-value work like interview prep and networking.
After the first week, the job search becomes a system: pipeline + practice + recovery.
Should you take a break first?
Sometimes the best job-search move is a short pause.
Consider taking 2–7 days to recover if:
- you’re not sleeping
- you’re having panic symptoms
- you can’t concentrate long enough to do basic tasks
- you feel compelled to apply to everything just to reduce anxiety
If you can, choose a structured break: rest, movement, supportive conversations, and one small admin task per day.
Take 2–3 days to stabilize, then start a “minimum viable” job-search routine: one application and one outreach per day.
Your first week, simplified
- 1Day 1: paperwork + finances (stability first)
- 2Day 2: support + routine (protect your bandwidth)
- 3Day 3: unemployment + health coverage (buy runway)
- 4Day 4–5: resume + LinkedIn (minimum viable refresh)
- 5Day 6: job-search infrastructure (filters + tracker + kit)
- 6Day 7: start small momentum (3–5 applications + 2 messages)
- 7Week 2+: consistent cadence + interview practice; automate only what’s repetitive
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I start applying immediately after being laid off?
If you’re stable enough to focus, starting with a small amount of momentum (a few good-fit applications) can help. If you’re overwhelmed, prioritize paperwork and recovery for 2–3 days first—then begin a minimum routine.
How do I explain a layoff in interviews?
Keep it factual and brief: “My team was impacted by layoffs.” Then pivot to what you’re looking for and what you bring. Avoid venting or over-explaining.
What should I do with severance?
Treat severance as runway. Map your essential monthly expenses, set a conservative budget, and avoid major new commitments for a few weeks while you stabilize.
Is it normal to feel ashamed after a layoff?
Yes. Layoffs often trigger shame even when performance wasn’t the cause. The fastest way through is support, routine, and small wins—your job search is a process, not a verdict on your worth.
How many jobs should I apply to each week?
Aim for consistency over volume. Many people do well with 15–25 good-fit applications per week plus networking and interview practice. If you’re early in your search, quality matters more than raw count.