From Layoff To Level Up: How Women Can Bounce Back Stronger

Receiving the news you’re being laid off can often feel like a personal attack or failure. But in today’s economy, layoffs are more common than most think. Many industries are being impacted by restructuring and budgeting cuts. When you hear those dreading words “your position has been eliminated” it doesn’t mean the end of your professional journey.

With insight from career coaches and industry experts, here are actionable steps to help you bounce back, reclaim your confidence, and pivot with purpose.

The first step after being laid off is not to jump into job searching – it’s to process. Use this time to reflect on what happened, and what you desire in your next role. Also use this newfound free time to enjoy life a bit. 

“The longer I waited for the future I wanted, the less time I [had] to spend in it,” said Ifeanyi Imachukwu, career coach and LinkedIn influencer. “You gave time, dedication, and hard work for a job which took away time from your ‘me’ time. Try new hobbies, talk through this situation with a therapist, or simply just rest. Overthinking and being burnt out from hopping from one role into the next won’t get you to that next level.”

When you feel the time is right to reconnect with the corporate world, you should polish your resume and your professional networking platforms. Your portfolio should reflect your updated work history, relevant skills and qualifications for future roles, and any career achievements.

“When you’re ready, rewrite your LinkedIn profile to focus on a specific career path,” said career coach and consultant According to career coach and consultant, Liz Ryan. “That’s where you will begin your job search.”

Make sure to align your brand across all platforms in addition to LinkedIn. This allows potential employers to understand your career goals clearly.

It’s not about what you know, but who you know. Don’t be afraid to let your network know you’ve been laid off and on the job search.

Reconnect with your network, attend networking mixers whether in-person or online, plan coffee chats with people who align with your job interests.

“You can get access to an opportunity where maybe you’re not completely qualified,” said Lakrisha Davis, LinkedIn business strategist.

The key to gaining opportunities is relationship building, even if the person you connect with is not the person you want to connect with. An employee of your dream job you connect with on LinkedIn can point you in the right direction for increased chances.

Being laid off allows time for exploration of new career industries and other work you might have been curious about. Maybe you love what you did before being let go, then you can look into contract or freelance roles.

Upwork is a great resource for freelance opportunities for professionals. You can take free online courses and receive certifications to add to your skillset.

“Just because you’re making a career pivot doesn’t mean that you are, you know, less valuable,” said Mandi Woodruff-Santos on her podcast Brown Ambition.

Being laid off is just the external push you need to go to the next level. It does not define your worth or skills. It is a chapter of your life intended for reflection, alignment, and making a new start. This is your comeback season to be confident and elevate. The road to your next opportunity may look different, but this isn’t the end.