Laid off? Here's what to do in your first two weeks.

Hey there,

I wish we weren’t still having this conversation. But the layoff announcements keep coming, and behind every number is someone trying to figure out what happens next.

Last week, Netflix announced cuts affecting roughly 1,000 employees, about 6% of its workforce. Airtable also announced that a large portion of its team would be leaving following its acquisition by Bending Spoons.

If you’re one of the people impacted by a layoff, the headlines probably aren’t your biggest concern. Your mind is somewhere between “When does my insurance end?” and “How am I going to explain this?”

So this week, we’re getting practical. Grab your coffee, take a breath, and let’s walk through what deserves your attention first.

THIS WEEK’S CAREER TIP

You don’t have to solve your entire career this week.

After a layoff, it’s understandable to want to do something immediately. Open LinkedIn. Rewrite your résumé. Apply to anything that looks even remotely close.

But before you spend hours trying to convince another company to hire you, give yourself time to understand your situation and gather what you need. There are deadlines to track, accomplishments to capture, and people who can help. A little structure now can make the coming weeks feel much more manageable.

The bottom line: Your first goal is to create enough stability and direction to make thoughtful decisions about what comes next.

A CLOSER LOOK

Your first two weeks after a layoff: a practical checklist

Use these time frames as a guide. Handle time-sensitive paperwork promptly, and adjust the search activities to your circumstances and capacity.

The first 48 hours: Get the essentials in order

☐ 1. Give yourself room to process what happened.

You might feel shocked, angry, relieved, embarrassed, or all of those things before lunch.

Tell someone you trust. Step away from the screen. Give yourself permission to have a difficult day without turning it into a judgment about your ability.

You can begin handling the practical details while still feeling unsettled. You don’t have to feel confident before taking the next step.

☐ 2. Get your separation details in writing.

Create one folder for your documents and one calendar for deadlines. Ask HR to confirm:

• Your last day of employment and final paycheck timing.

• Severance amount, payment schedule, conditions, and response deadline.

• Whether unused PTO, bonuses, or commissions will be paid.

• The date your health coverage ends.

• Any equity, retirement-plan, or other benefit deadlines.

• Whether outplacement or career coaching support is included.

• Who can answer questions after your company access ends.

Read the agreement carefully. If you’re unsure what you’re agreeing to or giving up, consider having an employment attorney review it before signing.

A useful question for HR:

“Can you send me a written summary of my separation benefits, all response deadlines, and the contact information I should use after my access ends?”

☐ 3. Review unemployment and health coverage options promptly.

Contact the appropriate state unemployment agency as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. Eligibility and reporting requirements vary by state; ask how severance affects your claim rather than assuming you should wait until it runs out.

For health insurance, confirm your actual coverage end date first. Compare available options, including COBRA, Marketplace coverage, and a spouse’s employer plan. Losing job-based coverage generally gives you a Marketplace enrollment window of 60 days before or after coverage ends; another employer’s plan may have a shorter deadline, generally 30 days.

Put those dates on your calendar now.

☐ 4. Write down your financial picture.

List your essential monthly expenses, available cash, confirmed severance, and other household income. Account for changes such as health insurance costs.

The question you’re answering is:

“What needs to be covered, and how much flexibility do I have?”

That answer can help you decide whether to pursue your target role exclusively or include contract, consulting, part-time, or interim work.

If income is urgent, a bridge role can be a practical part of your plan. It doesn’t erase your longer-term direction. I have this with multiple clients where we are pursuing their bridge role and long-term role in parallel.

The rest of week one: Capture your value and choose a direction

☐ 5. Build an accomplishment inventory while the details are fresh.

Before worrying about résumé formatting, write down what you actually contributed.

Think through:

• Projects you led and what changed because of them.

• Revenue protected, costs reduced, time saved, or risks prevented.

• Teams, budgets, customers, or programs you supported.

• Processes you improved.

• Difficult situations you helped resolve.

• Positive feedback you received.

For each example, capture:

The challenge → What you did → The result → Why it mattered

Only retain information you’re authorized to keep. Use nonconfidential descriptions and permitted figures; leave company files, customer data, and proprietary materials behind.

If you don’t know an exact metric, describe the scope and outcome accurately. You don’t need to invent a percentage to demonstrate impact.

☐ 6. Choose one or two realistic role targets.

“I’m open to anything” may feel flexible, but it makes it harder for people to recognize the right opportunity for you. In return, they can't help you.

Start with these questions:

• Which parts of my work do I want to keep doing?

• What problems am I especially good at solving?

• What do I want to leave behind?

• What compensation, location, travel, and schedule requirements matter now?

Then review a handful of relevant job descriptions. Look for recurring responsibilities and language, including titles that differ from your last one.

You’re choosing a starting point. You can refine it as you learn.

☐ 7. Prepare a short explanation of the layoff.

You don’t need a long defense or a detailed account of the company’s decisions.

If accurate, something like this works:

“My position was eliminated as part of a company restructuring. I’m proud of the work I did there, especially [relevant accomplishment]. I’m now focused on [target role], where I can help a team [specific outcome].”

Keep it factual, brief, and focused on what you bring next. Avoid guessing about motives or claiming the decision was unrelated to performance unless that was confirmed.

☐ 8. Update your résumé and LinkedIn around your target.

Use the role descriptions and accomplishment inventory you just created.

Start with:

• A résumé summary that makes your relevant experience clear.

• Accomplishment bullets that show outcomes and scope.

• A LinkedIn headline that communicates your expertise.

• Consistent dates and accurate information across both.

You don’t need a perfect profile before reconnecting with people. You do need a clear answer to, “What kind of role are you looking for?”

Week two: Build conversations and a sustainable search

☐ 9. Reach out to people who already know your work.

Start with former colleagues, managers, customers, partners, and recruiters you’ve worked with.

Make a list of 10 people. Send a few thoughtful messages each day.

For example:

“Hi [Name], my role at [Company] was recently eliminated, and I’m starting to explore [target roles]. My strongest experience is in [specialty], including [brief result]. If you hear of a team looking for that background, I’d appreciate you keeping me in mind. How have things been on your end?”

If you find a specific opening at their company, mention the role and why it fits. Ask whether they’d feel comfortable sharing insight or considering a referral.

Give people enough detail to help you.

☐ 10. Apply selectively and keep track of the process.

For each promising role, ask:

• Can I show evidence that I’ve handled the core responsibilities?

• Does it meet my most important requirements?

• Have I made the relevant experience easy to find in my résumé?

• Is there someone I can contact to learn more?

You don’t need every preferred qualification. You should be able to explain the connection between your background and the work.

Track the company, role, posting link, application date, contact, and next step. A simple spreadsheet is enough.

☐ 11. Build a small interview story stash.

Choose five examples covering:

• A meaningful accomplishment.

• A difficult problem.

• Cross-functional collaboration.

• A setback and what you changed.

• Leadership or influence.

Practice explaining each in about two minutes, including the situation, your contribution, and the outcome.

This gives you useful material for recruiter calls and networking conversations before a formal interview is even scheduled.

☐ 12. Set a weekly rhythm you can repeat.

Here’s a starting point to adjust:

• Monday: Identify priority roles and companies.

• Tuesday–Thursday: Combine tailored applications, outreach, conversations, and interview preparation.

• Friday: Follow up, review what’s getting a response, and plan the next week.

• Each day: Set a stopping time and make room for life outside the search.

Look beyond the number of applications submitted. Track conversations started, introductions received, and interviews generated.

If you’re getting no response, review your targeting and positioning. If interviews aren’t progressing, look at your examples and preparation. Use the pattern to decide what needs attention.

GOOD STUFF THIS WEEK

Two resources worth keeping nearby:

Your state unemployment agency: Go directly to the official agency for filing instructions, eligibility questions, and reporting requirements. It’s the best place to get answers specific to your situation.

HealthCare.gov: The information on losing job-based coverage explains Marketplace options and enrollment timing. Having those details in one place can make an already stressful decision easier to work through.

If this list feels like a lot, start here today: confirm your deadlines, tell one trusted person, and write down three accomplishments.

You can come back for the next steps.

A layoff can disrupt your income, routine, and sense of belonging all at once. It makes sense if finding your footing takes a little time. The experience you’ve built is still yours, and you can use it to shape what comes next.

Before you go:

Reply and tell me which part feels hardest right now: figuring out your direction, explaining your value, or knowing where to start. I’d love to hear what you’re navigating.

💛 Alyssa Bailey

Thanks for reading Rise & Shine by Rise Up Career Coaching.

This newsletter is for high-performing professionals who feel stuck, overlooked, or unsure of their next move — and want a clearer, smarter way to navigate the modern job market.

Here, I share real talk about:

• Getting clear on what you actually want next

• Navigating job searches without mass applying

• Networking in ways that actually lead to conversations

• Interviewing with confidence (even if you’re rusty)

• Negotiating offers without leaving money or opportunity on the table

The job market has changed, but most career advice hasn’t. I’m here to help you stop guessing and start moving forward with clarity and strategy.

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ALYSSA BAILEY is a Certified Professional Career Coach who helps high-performing professionals get unstuck and land roles that match who they are now. With 15+ years of corporate experience, she’s guided clients through career transitions, interviews, and negotiations — helping them turn experience into opportunity.

If you’re done waiting for clarity or the “right time,” this is your sign.

Your next role won’t come from working harder. It comes from having the right strategy.

Let’s make your next move — intentionally.

P.S. If you’ve been thinking about making a change “someday,” remember: clarity doesn’t come from waiting. It comes from action.

Let's make your next move. Contact me today.

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