Laid off? A practical plan for your first 30 days
Money, mindset, resume and outreach: what to do in week one, two, three and four after a layoff.
A layoff is a shock, but the first month after it matters most. This plan for the 30 days after a layoff keeps your money safe, your mind steady and your job search moving.
Week 1: money and paperwork
- Get your full-and-final settlement details, relieving letter and experience letter in writing
- Download your payslips and Form 16
- Work out how many months your savings cover, and cut non-essential spending now
Week 2: update your story
Write a two-line explanation you can say calmly: what happened, and that it was not about performance. The guide on explaining a layoff in interviews has examples.
Then update your resume using the ATS resume format.
Week 3: reach out
Tell your network you are looking. Message ten people you have worked with, and ask for referrals for specific roles. Referrals get interviews faster than portals.
Week 4: apply and practise
Apply to roles that match your skills, and do mock interviews with a friend. Keep a simple tracker of where you applied and when to follow up.
Look after yourself
Keep a routine: wake up at the same time, exercise, and stop job hunting at a fixed hour. A job search is a marathon, and steady effort wins.
