A layoff can feel like a blown tire in your career journey—sudden, disruptive and leaving you momentarily stranded. But with resilience and the right support, this setback can become a chance to reassess your route and get back on the road stronger than before.
One of the areas talent solutions firms like Robert Half specialize in include guiding professionals through career transitions after layoffs, offering tools and resources to rebuild confidence and reconnect with meaningful work. Here are six practical tips for navigating a career transition after a layoff.
1. Secure essential documentation and benefits
Start by requesting a layoff letter from your employer’s HR department. Layoff letters are usually hard copies on company letterhead, but an email is also acceptable. This document clarifies that your departure was due to circumstances beyond your control, not performance issues. Keep it handy for interviews to preemptively address questions about your job transition. If you don’t receive one automatically, follow up promptly—it’s your right to have this record.
Find out where you stand on benefits and pay:
Health insurance—If your employer has 20+ employees, you may qualify for COBRA, which extends coverage for up to 18 months. If not, explore Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans, which often include subsidies.
Severance and final pay—Determine if you’re eligible for severance (typically 1–2 weeks of pay per year of service) and confirm the timeline for your final paycheck, unused vacation pay or reimbursements.
Unemployment benefits—File for unemployment immediately. Compensation varies by state but generally provides about 50% of your previous income, offering a crucial safety net while you search.
2. Give yourself time to process the layoff
A layoff can be a blow to your self-esteem, with adverse (but usually temporary) effects on your mental health. Giving yourself time to experience and process your emotions is essential. It’s perfectly normal to feel angry, sad or scared, and there’s nothing wrong with taking a few days to catch your breath before kicking off a job search. If it helps, try some healthy coping techniques like journaling, exercise or meditation to help reset. If you’re having trouble getting out of the funk, don’t be afraid to seek professional help. The better your frame of mind, the more fruitful your job search will likely be.
Remember: any anger or resentment toward your former employer is temporary, whereas social media rants are permanent. Even if you quickly delete these comments, they can persist in screenshots or the memories of those who read them, damaging your reputation. There’s nothing wrong with venting, but ask a friend, family member or trusted mentor to lend you their ear for that purpose.
Create a routine that balances productivity with self-care. For example, you could dedicate mornings to job-search tasks like updating your resume or applying for roles, afternoons to skill-building or networking and evenings to exercise or hobbies. Incorporating volunteer work or fitness not only boosts mental clarity but also expands your network—you never know where a conversation might lead.
3. Refresh your professional brand
Update your resume with recent skills, certifications and achievements. When you’re ready to apply for a new job, tailor the resume to each role you pursue. Avoid explaining the layoff—your layoff letter addresses that. Instead, focus on quantifiable results (e.g., “Boosted website traffic by 30%” or “Led a team of 10”).
Your LinkedIn profile is your digital handshake. Make it count:
Add an “Open to Work” badge—Signal your availability subtly to recruiters.
Check headers in your resume—Ensure your headline, summary and experience sections mirror your updated resume.
Request recommendations—Ask former managers or colleagues to highlight your strengths on LinkedIn. Return the favor by endorsing their skills—it strengthens relationships and keeps bridges intact.
Engage strategically—Comment on posts from industry leaders or share relevant articles to stay visible in your network.
4. Plan your job search carefully
Reach out to your professional contacts—via email, LinkedIn or in-person meetings—to let them know you’re exploring new opportunities. A simple, concise message works best: “I’m currently looking for my next challenge in [field]. If you hear of any roles that match my experience, I’d appreciate a heads-up!”
Contract or interim work isn’t just a stopgap—it’s a chance to diversify your experience, build new skills and expand your professional circle. Share your availability with former employers, peers and recruiters. Many professionals use contract roles to test-drive companies or industries they’re curious about, all while maintaining an income stream. Even short-term projects can help you navigate a career transition after a layoff.
5. Tap into Robert Half’s expertise
At Robert Half, we’ve spent decades helping professionals like you navigate career transitions. Our curated job boards and industry-specific listings—spanning tech, healthcare, marketing, finance and beyond—are designed to cut through the noise of generic job searches. Instead of sifting through endless postings, you can focus on roles that align with your skills and goals, saving time and energy for applications that matter. Our industry expertise, exclusive listings, and personalized support ensure that your job search is efficient and targeted.
Also, Robert Half’s annual Salary Guides equip you with up-to-date compensation data for hundreds of roles across industries. Whether you’re preparing for an interview or negotiating an offer, these insights empower you to benchmark your value confidently. Knowledge is your greatest asset in salary discussions, and our guides transform raw data into actionable strategies to help you advocate for what you deserve.
If you’ve never partnered with a recruiter before, this guide breaks down what you need to know—and how it can benefit your search.
6. Stay open to new possibilities
A layoff might unexpectedly nudge you to explore paths you hadn’t considered before. If local job openings feel limited, try broadening your search to include remote or hybrid roles—these options can open doors to companies nationwide and might even fit better with your personal life or interests. Use this time to learn new skills through certifications, online courses or workshops. Not only does this keep your resume fresh, but it also shows employers you’re committed to growing, even during tough times.
Staying flexible can lead to surprising opportunities. For instance, someone skilled in project management might find new purpose in operations consulting, while a customer service expert could thrive as a client success manager. The key is to stay curious: Pay attention to what industries need right now, and think about how your existing strengths could apply in new settings. You might discover a role that feels like a perfect blend of what you’re good at and what excites you.
A layoff isn’t an ending—it’s a chance to relaunch or even reinvent yourself. While the road ahead may feel uncertain, every application sent, skill learned or connection made is a step in the right direction. With the right attitude and support, you’ll look back on this moment not as a reversal, but as the push you needed to grow.
