Issue 30

July 23, 2024

Navigating Layoffs in 2024: A Survival Guide

I got laid off last week. This is the third time I’ve lost my job in the past four years. As you can imagine, I’m going through all the emotions right now. But what gets me out of bed in the morning is that I’ve survived hardships like this before. And if I’ve done it before, I can do it again.

I’ve learned a lot about overcoming challenges in my career lately. I want to share some of my lessons with you. If you’re unemployed and having a hard time, I hope my words bring you some comfort.

Live your life

Losing your job can feel like losing a loved one. And you can go through every stage of grief in a matter of days. If that happens, let it. You have every right to feel all the feelings.

Every time I lost a job, I allowed myself to feel the emotions. At first, I felt anger and depression. And later, I felt acceptance and even a sliver of hope. Sometimes these feelings lasted hours and other times they lasted days. They don't last forever though.

Don’t stop living your life no matter how long it takes to process and accept the layoff.

Spend time with your family. Keep reading that book or watching that show on Netflix. And above all, keep taking care of your physical and mental health.

Your job is one part of your life, not all of it. Keep living your life. And you’ll soon find the motivation to bounce back and embrace your next opportunity.

Rediscover your why

Have you ever thought about switching careers? Or working in a different sector? Now might be the best time to do that.

The benefit of being temporarily unemployed is that you have more free time. And you can use some of that time to take a step back from your career. Consider asking yourself the following questions:

• Why do I work in this industry?
• Do I genuinely love what I do or is it just a paycheck?
• Is now the time to move up to a more senior role?
• Would I be interested in a management role?
• Is there a role in another department I’d like?
• What if I started my own business?

Sometimes it can be easier to make career changes when you’re between jobs. That’s why now is a great time to answer these questions.

Spend a few days thinking about them. Your answers might push you down your current path. Or they might inspire you to choose a new one.

Regardless of what you decide, you’ll be glad you took some time to ponder what you want to do next.

Lean on your network

The path to your next job can get lonely. Don’t walk it alone. I’ve made that mistake before and I won’t again. Get help from friends, former colleagues, and LinkedIn connections.

Most open roles are never even posted online. That’s why it’s so important to ask your network for help. They can introduce you to their co-workers and connections.

In today’s job market, you need to stand out. Recruiting teams are drowning in applications. Referrals and conversations can open doors and help you get interviews.

Losing your job can usher in a dark chapter in life. It will test you emotionally, mentally, and physically. There will be days you want to give up and days you think you’ll never get another job. But I’m here to tell you that you will.

I’ve picked myself back up every time I’ve been fired or laid off. And every time I’ve found a new opportunity. If I can do it, you can too.

Keep living your life while you’re in between jobs. Find your why again. And let the people who want to help you do that.

Thanks for reading this week. See you next week! 👋

David Weiss Founder • Made by DW ​Follow me on X, LinkedIn, & Instagram​

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