Rise & Shine: How to Approach a Layoff (And Come Back Stronger)

Getting laid off is a gut punch.

There's no way around it.

One day you're contributing, collaborating, making plans for next quarter and the next day you're packing a box and wondering what just happened.

If you've been laid off recently (or know someone who has), I want to start by saying this: It's okay to not be okay.

The grief is real. The shock is real. The questions that keep you up at night — Was it something I did? Should I have seen this coming? What do I tell people? — those are real too.

Give yourself permission to feel it. You don't have to immediately pivot into "hustle mode" and pretend everything's fine.

But once you've had a moment to breathe, I want to share something important:

A layoff doesn't define you. How you respond to it does.

And the people who land fastest after a layoff aren't the ones who quietly sling resumes into the void hoping something sticks. They're the ones who get intentional, lean into relationships, and put themselves in rooms where opportunities happen.

Let me tell you about my client Megan.

When Megan got laid off, she could have done what most people do — update her resume, apply to a few jobs a day, and wait.

But she didn't.

Instead, she made a decision: I'm going to use this time strategically.

Here's what she did:

She leaned into her network — both old and new. She didn't just reach out when she needed something. She reconnected with former colleagues, had real conversations, and built relationships before asking for favors.

She had meaningful conversations. Not transactional "do you know of any openings?" conversations. Real ones. She asked people about their work, their challenges, what they were seeing in the market. She showed genuine curiosity.

She invested in herself. She finally took those trainings that had been on her backburner for years. She used the extra time to sharpen skills she'd been meaning to develop.

And then she did something most people don't think to do:

She went to a conference where her target companies and hiring managers from her target industry would be. Yes on her own dime! 

She didn't just attend. She showed up prepared. She knew who she wanted to meet. She had her story ready.

And guess what happened?

She ended up having an "unofficial" interview right there at the conference — a conversation that led to a really strong opportunity.

Megan didn't wait for the perfect job to get posted. She put herself in the room where decisions were being made.

The Power of Getting in the Room

This is one of the most underrated job search strategies: get yourself in front of decision-makers before there's even a role to apply for.

That could look like:

• → Industry conferences (in-person is huge — there's no substitute for face-to-face connection)

• → Virtual events or webinars hosted by companies you're targeting

• → Professional groups or communities where hiring managers and leaders are active

• → Local meetups or networking events in your field

• → LinkedIn groups or Slack communities where your target audience hangs out

When you're in the room — physically or virtually — you're not just another resume in a pile. You're a person. You're memorable. And when a role opens up, you're already in the conversation.

Most job seekers skip this because it feels uncomfortable. It's easier to sit at home and apply online.

But the ones who land faster? They get in the room.

How to Talk About Your Layoff (Without Oversharing)

One of the biggest fears after a layoff is: What do I say when they ask about it?

Here's the truth: Most hiring teams don't assume there's something wrong with you.

Layoffs happen. Companies restructure. Budgets get cut. It's not a scarlet letter.

But how you talk about it matters.

Here's a script that works beautifully:

"I was part of a layoff. To be frank, I thought it was one of the worst things that could happen, but it ended up being a blessing in disguise.

I had space to audit my career and get clear on what I've really enjoyed and where I've made the most impact.

Now I have the bandwidth to be intentional about my next step, which is why I'm excited to speak with you about this role.

It sounds like I'd be working on [X problems] and owning [Y outcomes].

Is that aligned with your understanding of the role?"

That's it.

No justifying. No oversharing. No drama.

You're not explaining a flaw. You're giving context and then pivoting right back to the opportunity in front of you.

This reframe does three things:

1. It acknowledges the layoff honestly (no awkward avoidance)

2. It shows self-awareness and intentionality

3. It shifts the focus to the role and your fit for it

Practice this until it feels natural. You'll use it in networking conversations, phone screens, and interviews.

Focus on What You Can Control

Yes, layoffs suck. Yes, the market is tough. Yes, there are highly qualified people getting let go every day through no fault of their own.

But here's what you can control:

✅ How you show up — Are you leaning in or retreating?

✅ How you spend your time — Are you investing in yourself or just waiting?

✅ Who you're connecting with — Are you building relationships or just sending applications?

✅ Where you're putting yourself — Are you getting in rooms where opportunities happen?

Hiring managers notice what you're doing with the time between jobs. It signals growth mindset. It signals drive. It signals someone who doesn't just wait for things to happen — they make things happen.

That's attractive to hiring teams.

The Bottom Line

A layoff can feel like an ending. But it can also be a beginning, if you approach it the right way.

Give yourself grace. Feel what you need to feel.

And then get intentional:

• → Lean into your network (old and new)

• → Have real conversations, not transactional ones

• → Invest in yourself while you have the time

• → Get in rooms where decision-makers are → Reframe your story so you're giving context, not explaining a flaw

The people who land fastest aren't the ones with the "perfect" background. They're the ones who take action, build relationships, and show up where it matters.

You've got this. 💛

If this resonated, I'd love for you to share it with someone who needs this reminder right now.

💛 Follow me, Alyssa Bailey, for more real talk about navigating your job search with clarity and confidence.

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.

I'm here to change that.

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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.

To read past Rise & Shine newsletters, you can find them here.