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1. Getting in the right mental space

Before you start your search for your next role, make sure to take time for yourself first.


Why it matters

The job hunt can be anxiety inducing enough, without the added complexity and stress of a layoff. To be in tiptop shape when you do start your hunt, take the time you need to process and invest in your self-care.
This is especially important if you’re feeling the stress of added financial burden with lost income, impostor syndrome rearing its head, or negotiating the balance of taking time for yourself and household / caretaking duties.

What to remember

Take care of yourself
⁠
Be kind to yourself
⁠
and
practice self-love
⁠
. Do what you need to: physically, emotionally, and mentally. If it helps, use
BACE
⁠
as a handy acronym to ground yourself.
If you’re BIPOC, this is even more critical because self-care often isn’t necessarily the standard in our communities. As a
friend
⁠
reminded me, we’re
taught that being resilient, gritting our teeth, and bearing it
⁠
, is how we cope and move forward in our times of distress. But we need self-care now more than ever to fuel our next steps.
Check out our More Resources section below for more on self-care.
You are worthy
Remember how incredible you are, how much you’ve accomplished, the lives you’ve changed, and that this has nothing to do with you.
Don’t rush the process
Give yourself space and time that works for you and your financials to work through the layoff and grieve.
You’ve got this
This is tough, but remember all the other times you’ve persevered - and that so many of us are here to help when you’re ready.

What to do

Invest in
self-care
⁠
and
processing
⁠
⁠
Remember that self-care and timelines look differently for everyone. Do what works for you and your situation.
Take care of the fundamentals
This includes
asking HR your key questions
⁠
and
taking care of your finances
⁠
.
Identify your core support network to lean on
This might be ~5 folks to bounce ideas off of as you work through things.
Establish a
routine
⁠
To bring structure to your days,
minimize worry burnout
⁠
, and keep yourself going. Set small goals for each day so you’ll be able to measure and see your progress.

What to leverage

Online Counseling: some companies’ severance packages include extended mental health support. Reach out to your HR contacts to confirm and ask for details on how to enroll.
⁠
Headspace Plus
⁠
: Headspace is offering a free year of Headspace Plus for those who are unemployed. Check out the site for more details and to sign-up.
⁠

More resources

There’s no shortage of great advice out there, but here’s a few other reads we found particularly helpful in laying out tactical next steps.
Resources on self-care & reflections
[SELF]
14 Organizations and People Working to Support BIPOC Mental Health During the Coronavirus Crisis
⁠
⁠
[The Memo]
Focus On Your Successes
⁠
⁠
[Stanford]
Coping with the Emotional Impact of a Layoff
⁠
⁠
[New York Times]
How to Manage the Emotional Impact of Getting Laid Off
⁠
⁠

General advice on do’s and don’ts after a layoff
[The Balance Careers]
5 Mistakes to Avoid After Being Laid Off
⁠
⁠
[Intuit Turbo Blog]
12 Ways to Bounce Back From a Layoff
⁠
⁠

Reviewing your finances
[Michelle Gomez]
Smart Money Moves During a Pandemic
⁠
⁠
[The Muse]
What to Do If You've Been Laid Off Due to Coronavirus
⁠
⁠




Ready for the next step?
⁠
2. Building your presence
⁠
⁠
⁠
Back
⁠
⁠

Before you start your search for your next role, make sure to take time for yourself first.
Why it matters
What to remember
What to do
What to leverage
More resources
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