Issue #0 — Laid Off? Here’s What to Do First

Hey friend,

Layoffs suck. Period. There’s no graceful way to spin it. But that doesn’t mean you have to spiral.

I just listened to an old episode (April 2023) of the Financial Feminist podcast by Tori Dunlap, and it hit hard — practical, no-fluff advice that every layoff survivor needs to hear.

So for this Issue #0, I’m not going to tell you to “stay positive.” I’m going to tell you what Tori told me — and what I wish someone had told me after my first layoff.

🎯 5 Things To Do After You’ve Been Laid Off

Inspired by @herfirst100k

1. Know Your Rights

Start by gathering:

• Your termination letter

• Details on severance (how much, when, how it’s paid)

• When your health insurance ends (and what your options are)

• Whether unused PTO will be paid out

• Info about your 401(k) or retirement plan rollover

👉 Ask questions — even if they feel awkward.
“Will I still receive my full match on my 401(k)?”
“Can you walk me through how COBRA works if I need it?”
“Will you provide a written reference?”

If HR is being vague, follow up. If you're unsure where to start, Google:
"What are my rights after being laid off in [your state]" — the rules vary.

This is business for them. Make it business for you.

2. Get Uncomfortably Honest with Your Finances

This is the part you may want to avoid. That’s exactly why it matters.

Take a breath. Then take stock:

• What’s in your checking, savings, or emergency fund?

• How many weeks (or months) can you cover rent, food, and health care?

• Were you offered severance? How far will that stretch?

This isn’t about spiraling — it’s about stabilizing. Knowing your numbers helps you make better decisions faster. Maybe you can take a few weeks to pause. Maybe you’ll need to pivot quickly into contract or part-time work.

Also: file for unemployment now. It can take time to process, and backpay isn’t always automatic. You deserve it — you’ve already earned it.

If things are tight, consider calling your car insurance, internet provider, or phone company to ask for flexibility.

You might be surprised how many say yes.

3. Give Yourself a Damn Minute

This part gets skipped the most — but it might be the most important.

Layoffs aren’t just logistical events. They’re emotional ones. You lost income, yes. But you also lost rhythm, identity, stability, maybe even confidence. That’s grief.

So before you rush into job boards and resume rewrites, pause.

If you can afford it, take a day. Take a walk. Cry in the shower. Rage-text a friend. Write down what the job meant to you — or what it cost you. Let it out.

If money is tight and time is short, even one uninterrupted hour can help you regulate your nervous system and start thinking clearly again.

You are not lazy for needing rest. You are not weak for being upset.
You’re human. And that’s still true even when you don’t have a job title under your name.

Give yourself the kindness you’d give a friend. Then — and only then — get back in the game.

4. Reclaim the Narrative

Once you’ve had a minute to breathe, it’s time to take back the story.

Being laid off doesn’t erase your value — it just creates a gap in the plot. And that’s where you step in as the author.

Start with your LinkedIn:

• Update your headline with what you’re looking for, not what you lost.

• Refresh your summary with what you’re good at, what lights you up, and where you want to go next.

Then write a short, honest post:

You don’t have to fake optimism — just show clarity.
The more specific you are, the more people can actually help you.

Visibility isn't self-promotion. It's a lifeline.

5. Rethink Everything

You didn’t ask for this pause — but now that you’ve got it, use it.

Layoffs, as brutal as they are, can create unexpected clarity. Once the dust settles, ask yourself:

• What did I love (or hate) about my last role?

• What made me feel proud? What drained me?

• What kind of team, culture, or schedule do I actually want?

Write it down. Call it your “next job wishlist.” Use it as your north star when searching, networking, or interviewing. It doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to be honest.

You may realize that what you tolerated wasn’t actually working.
You may notice you’ve outgrown the title, the team, or even the industry.

This is the part no one can rush for you.
You’re not just job hunting — you’re story editing.

Choose the next chapter on purpose.

🎧 Want the Full Episode?

This post was inspired by the Financial Feminist podcast hosted by Tori Dunlap.

🎙️ Listen to the full episode here:
What to Do If You’ve Been Laid Off (Financial Feminist Podcast)

It’s packed with insights, resources, and reminders that you’re not alone.

🧰 Helpful Resources

Whether you’re in panic mode or planning mode, these links will help you get your footing:

🏛️ Government Support

• Unemployment Help

• W.A.R.N. Act Explanation (DOL)

• Healthcare Marketplace

• COBRA Health Coverage Overview

📚 Articles Worth Your Time

• Getting Laid Off? Know Your Rights (Her First $100K)

🙋‍♀️ Want to Be Featured?

If you’ve recently been laid off and want visibility, we’d love to spotlight you.
👉 Submit your info here (2 minutes max)

Know someone hiring? One intro could change someone’s month.
👉 Share a job lead here

📬 What’s Coming Next

In future issues, you’ll get:

• Layoff roundups

• Job leads from the community

• Templates + tools

• Survivor stories

• Mindset shifts

• Alternative income ideas

• And more quick wins like this one

This is just the beginning. We’re building something real here — together.

✌️ Until Next Week

Keep going.
Keep breathing.
You’ve got this.

— Win
Fellow layoff survivor, creator of Let Go Weekly