What to do when you get laid off: A step-by-step guide

A layoff can hit without warning. Knowing what to do when you get laid off—and in what order—makes a real difference in how quickly you recover. This guide explores the critical first few days after a layoff, with tips on how to protect your income, sort out your benefits and set yourself up for a successful job search.

What to do when you get laid off: A step-by-step guide

What happens when you get laid off?
Review your layoff notice
Find out where you stand on benefits and pay
Give yourself some time to process the layoff
Update your resume
Plan your job search carefully
Frequently asked questions about what to do when you get laid off

What happens when you get laid off?

When a company announces layoffs, things typically move fast. You’ll likely be called into a meeting with your manager and HR representative and told your position has been eliminated. In many cases, this becomes your final day with the company, leaving you with very little time to process the news or say goodbye to colleagues.

Expect to be asked to hand over your laptop, access badge and any other company equipment. Your access to email and other internal systems is often cut off the same day. That’s standard procedure. If you work remotely, you may be asked to ship items back or coordinate a virtual return.

Before you leave (or log off), collect your personal items and ask HR for their contact information. You may not be in the right headspace to discuss details like final pay, severance and health coverage in the moment. Once you've had a chance to breathe, start working through the steps below.

Review your layoff notice

Layoff notice letters (or separation letters) are provided by HR to confirm in writing that your position was eliminated for reasons unrelated to your performance. This document is essential for your records, as you'll need it when applying for unemployment benefits.

Layoff letters are typically included in the paperwork packages you receive when you’re let go. If you don’t receive one, get in touch with HR. Layoff letters are usually hard copies on company letterhead, but an email is also acceptable.

Find out where you stand on benefits and pay

Begin your conversations with HR by asking about your health insurance options. If your employer had 20 or more employees, you may be eligible for continued coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) for up to 18 months. If you don’t qualify, check the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. You may be eligible for a subsidy based on your income.

Next, ask about severance. Not every employer offers it, but if yours does, packages typically run one to two weeks of pay per year of service. Confirm your final paycheck date and ask about any accrued vacation time or outstanding expense reimbursements.

Finally, file for state unemployment benefits as soon as you become unemployed, usually right after your last day of work. Waiting can delay your first payment, and in some states, you can lose benefits for earlier weeks if you file late.

Already thinking about your next role? Download Robert Half’s free Job Search Strategies Guide for tips on how to navigate today’s job market.

Give yourself some time to process the layoff

A layoff affects more than your bank account. It can be a punch to your confidence level and leave you feeling anxious or angry—and those feelings are normal. Give yourself a few days before throwing yourself into a job search .

Any anger or resentment toward your former employer may be temporary, whereas what you post on social media is permanent. Even if you quickly delete these comments, screenshots and impressions can stick, potentially damaging your reputation. There’s nothing wrong with venting, just keep it offline. Turn to a trusted friend, family member or mentor instead.

Update your resume

Before starting a job search, take some time to review, update and polish your resume. Refresh your skills and work experience sections, but don’t waste space explaining or justifying your current situation—your layoff letter serves that purpose.

Once you’ve knocked your resume into shape, repeat the process with your other marketing materials. If you’ve never found the time to craft a polished and recruiter-friendly LinkedIn profile, now’s the moment. And if you remain on good terms with your former manager, why not ask them for a LinkedIn recommendation? This serves a dual purpose, highlighting your current skill set and demonstrating to potential employers that you have a professional, no-hard-feelings mindset.

Avoid relying solely on generative AI tools like ChatGPT for this task. While they can be helpful for brainstorming ideas or refining language, the final version should reflect your own experience and voice. AI tools can hallucinate job titles, dates and credentials. Be sure to review everything carefully for accuracy—or ask a trusted friend or former colleague to read it and give you honest feedback before finalizing.

Plan your job search carefully

The pressure to start applying right away is real, but a rushed search tends to produce scattered results. Give yourself a few days to get organized, then set a daily routine. Block out specific hours for applications, networking and research rather than scrolling job boards for hours at a stretch.

Networking should be a bigger part of your plan than most people think. Message former colleagues on LinkedIn, reconnect with professional contacts and let people in your field know you’re open to opportunities. A lot of roles get filled before they’re ever posted publicly.

Stay open to the full range of options. Don’t rule out temporary and contract roles. They keep income coming in, let you further build your skills and can lead to permanent positions. If jobs in your field are scarce where you live, remote roles may open up a much wider set of opportunities. Flexibility—in role type, industry and location—is vital when you’re working out what to do when you get laid off.

Working with a staffing firm like Robert Half can take much of the time and stress out of a job search. We’re in your corner and can help you get back on your feet following your layoff.

Frequently asked questions about what to do when you get laid off

What is the first thing you should do if you’re laid off?

Ask HR for your layoff notice letter—a written confirmation that your position was eliminated for business reasons, not for performance. While you’re there, ask about your final pay date, any severance you may be owed and your options for continuing health coverage.

What are you entitled to when you’re laid off?

This can vary by employer, but most people can expect their final paycheck, any accrued vacation pay and the right to extend health coverage under COBRA for up to 18 months. If your employer offers severance, it typically runs one to two weeks of pay per year of service.

What should you not say during a layoff meeting?

Try to stay composed. Reacting in anger, threatening to go public about the company or taking shots at your manager are moves you’ll likely regret. Feel free to calmly express disappointment (it shows that you care) and ask questions about the process.

What should you not do after getting laid off?

Don’t make big financial or career decisions in the first few days, while your emotions are still running high. Don’t post anything critical about your former employer on social media—frustration fades, but screenshots don’t. And don’t delay filing for unemployment benefits or enrolling in COBRA, since both have deadlines that affect your coverage and income.

What are common layoff mistakes to avoid?

Starting a frantic job search before you have a clear plan is near the top of the list. Others include letting your LinkedIn profile go stale, skipping outreach to your professional network and writing off temporary or contract roles.

Want to stand out with job search strategies that work in today’s tough market? Download our free Job Search Strategies Guide.