What To Do If You’re Laid Off: A Career Coach’s Step-by-Step Plan to Regain Clarity and Confidence

It’s Not You — It really is the Market.

If you’ve recently been laid off, you’re far from alone.
Layoffs have swept across industries this year — from tech and media to education and nonprofit — leaving many talented professionals wondering what’s next. In fact, one outplacement firm has been quoted as saying that 950,000 layoffs have occurred through September 2025, which is higher than in any full non-pandemic year since 2009.

But here’s the truth: your layoff says nothing about your worth, talent, or future potential.
It’s a market correction — not a personal reflection.

What happens next, however, is in your control.
Below is a five-step plan to help you reset your mindset, regain confidence, and get realigned before you start applying again.

Step 1: Pause Before You Pivot

The instinct after a layoff is to panic and apply to everything in sight. Don’t.
Before you chase what’s next, give yourself space to process what just happened.

Take a week (if you can) to decompress:

• Talk with trusted friends or mentors.

• Reflect on what you actually enjoyed in your last role — and what drained you.

• Write down your biggest lessons learned, both personally and professionally.

You’re not “starting over.” You’re starting smarter.

Step 1(a): Get Financially Grounded Before You Make Your Next Move

Emotions run high after a layoff, and time can move fast. The sooner you get a handle on the financial and logistical pieces, the more calmly and clearly you can navigate your next steps.

Start here:

• Review your severance package carefully — and, if possible, have it reviewed by an employment attorney before signing.

• File for unemployment benefits as soon as you’re eligible; processing times can vary.

• Check for continued benefits or outplacement services your former employer might offer (career coaching, résumé help, or mental health resources).

• Assess your financial runway. How many months of expenses can you cover comfortably? This clarity will help you make values-based decisions, not fear-based ones.

• Evaluate healthcare options. Explore COBRA, ACA marketplace plans, or your partner’s employer coverage to avoid any gaps.

When you have a clear view of your resources, you can make intentional decisions about your next step — not reactive ones. The goal is to transition from financial panic to strategic calm.

Step 2: Reconnect With Your Values

A layoff is not ideal, but it can also be the rubble in which you can rebuild what you want for your next chapter. Take the time to determine if the path you're on is the path that aligns with your values. This is the foundation of everything we do at Ignite Career Consultants.

When you know what truly matters to you — your values — you stop chasing roles that look good on paper and start pursuing work that actually feels right.

Ask yourself:

• What values did my last company honor… and which did they ignore?

• When did I feel most energized and fulfilled?

• Which values do I want to be non-negotiable in my next role (e.g., flexibility, creativity, belonging, growth)?

When you’re ready, take the free Values Discovery Assessment to identify your top values and see how they can guide your next career move.

Step 3: Audit Your Personal Brand

Once you’re grounded in your values, it’s time to update how you present yourself.
Your résumé, LinkedIn, and interview stories should all reflect where you’re going — not just where you’ve been.

Quick wins:

• Update your LinkedIn headline to include your target role or area of expertise.

• Rewrite your “About” section to tell your story — not just list credentials.

• Highlight accomplishments that tie back to your top values (for example, if one of your values is innovation, show how you built or improved something).

Authenticity always beats perfection. Hiring managers aren’t looking for robots — they’re looking for real humans who know who they are and what they bring.

Step 4: Own the Layoff — Don’t Avoid It

If the word “layoff” makes you cringe, let’s reframe that.
Layoffs are incredibly common right now — and being honest about it can actually build trust.

How to frame it:

“My position was impacted during a company-wide restructuring. Since then, I’ve taken time to refocus on the kind of work that aligns most with my skills and values.”

That one sentence communicates confidence, emotional intelligence, and direction — three things every employer looks for.

Step 5: Rebuild Momentum — One Step at a Time

The job search is emotional. Some days you’ll feel hopeful; others, stuck.
The key is gentle consistency.

A few simple actions that rebuild momentum:

• Reach out to three former colleagues each week — not to ask for a job, but to reconnect.

• Set aside two days a week for applications and one for networking.

• Keep a “win log” — track every positive step, even small ones (a good conversation, a helpful lead, a confidence boost).

Your next opportunity is out there — and it’s waiting for the aligned, grounded version of you to show up.

Final Thought: Clarity Before Action

The most powerful move you can make after a layoff isn’t to send another résumé.
It’s to get clear on who you are now and what you want next.

That clarity doesn’t just help you find your next job faster — it ensures your next chapter feels sustainable and fulfilling.

Next Steps

• Take the free Values Discovery Assessment to get clear on your non-negotiables.

• Or book a free 15-minute consult to talk with Sarah about your career goals and how to get aligned again.

I'm rooting for you!

Sarah Roeder, Career Coach @ Ignite Career Consultants