A layoff can cause myriad emotions, along with confusion. Use this layoff checklist to determine where to start and how to get on solid ground.
By Transition Solutions and Amanda Miller
One minute, you’re working away, content in your role. The next, you’re receiving notification that your position has been eliminated. Whether you saw the writing on the wall or the news came out of the blue, one thing that will help you tremendously in the first days and weeks following a layoff is a layoff checklist.
While you have many emotions to process, you also have much to do to get your life in order and ready for the next steps. The professionals who navigate this transition most successfully aren’t necessarily the ones with the most experience or the best resumes; they’re the ones who take action quickly, stay organized, and approach the process strategically.
At Transition Solutions, we’ve been guiding individuals through workforce changes and outplacement support for 35 years. We’ve seen what works. This checklist is designed to help you take control of what you can—starting right now.
In the First 24 Hours
Before you do anything else, give yourself permission to feel what you’re feeling. A layoff is a loss—of routine, income, identity, and community. Grief, anger, and relief can all show up at once, sometimes within the same hour. That’s normal.
Once you’ve had a moment to breathe, get organized. In your first 24 hours:
* Document everything from your separation meeting. What were you told? What is your last official day of employment? What benefits are continuing and for how long?
* Review your severance agreement carefully before signing anything. Most agreements give you time to review, usually 21 days. Don’t rush. If possible, have an employment attorney take a look.
* Ask about your COBRA options. Your employer is required to notify you about continuing your health insurance under COBRA, but it’s worth understanding your timeline and costs immediately.
* Find out when your final paycheck will be issued, and whether any accrued vacation or PTO will be paid out.
* Return company property as instructed and make note of any personal items you’re entitled to take with you, such as files, contacts, or materials.
Assess Your Finances
Financial clarity is one of the most important things you can establish early in a job transition. Knowing exactly where you stand takes the edge off the anxiety and helps you make smarter decisions about your search. Here are some areas you should organize as part of your initial layoff checklist:
* Calculate your runway. Add up your savings, severance (if applicable), and any other income sources. How many months can you cover your essential expenses without a new paycheck?
* Create a lean budget. Identify non-essential expenses you can temporarily reduce or eliminate. This will give you some breathing room as you move forward.
* Review your benefits and retirement accounts. Understand what happens to your 401(k), stock options, or pension. In most cases, you can leave a 401(k) in place, roll it over, or cash it out (though cashing out early has tax consequences).
* Contact creditors proactively, if needed. Many lenders have hardship programs for people who have lost their jobs. It’s better to reach out before you miss a payment.
* Consult a financial advisor if your situation is complex. This is especially important for senior-level professionals with equity compensation, deferred income, or substantial assets to manage.
Apply for Unemployment Benefits
If you were laid off through no fault of your own, you are almost certainly eligible for unemployment benefits, and you should apply right away. Many people hesitate out of pride or uncertainty, but these are benefits you have earned through your years of employment. Each state is different, but here are your general to-do tips:
* File as soon as possible. Most states have a waiting period before benefits begin, so the earlier you file, the sooner payments start.
* Apply through your state’s workforce or labor department website. Each state administers its own program, and the process is typically straightforward online.
* Have your information ready: your Social Security number, employment history for the past 18 months, your former employer’s contact information, and your separation reason.
* Be accurate about your separation. You were laid off, not fired for cause. Make sure that’s reflected in your claim.
* Understand the requirements. Most states require you to actively search for work and report your job search activity to continue receiving benefits.
Update Your Resume
Your resume is your first impression. If it’s been a few years since you’ve looked at it, it probably needs more than just a date update. This is a good time to approach it fresh. This gets you started on your layoff checklist:
*Add your most recent role and accomplishments. Focus on results, not responsibilities. Hiring managers want to know what you achieved, not just what your job description said.
* Tailor it for the roles you’re targeting. A strong resume isn’t one-size-fits-all. Adjust your language and emphasis based on the types of positions you’re pursuing.
* Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Many companies use software to organize applications, but they’re only as good as what you submit. Use clear formatting, standard section headings, and keywords from the job descriptions you’re targeting.
* Update your LinkedIn profile to match. Recruiters will cross-reference your resume and online presence. Be sure you’re telling a consistent story across both.
* Consider professional resume help. If writing about yourself feels uncomfortable or you’re not sure how to position your experience, a career coach or professional resume writer can make a significant difference. Clients who work with Transition Solutions receive a dedicated career consultant who can help with this.
Refresh Your LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is the single most important digital tool in your job-search toolkit. Before you reach out to anyone or apply anywhere, make sure your profile is working for you. You’ll want to optimize it for the front end and back end. Here are some initial areas on which to focus:
* Update your headline. Use your headline to reflect who you are and what you’re looking for as you move forward. Change the branding to yourself rather than your prior employer. Example: “Senior Marketing Leader | Brand Strategy & Digital Growth | Drive results through omnichannel positioning and strategic messages”
* Turn on “Open to Work.” You can make this visible only to recruiters (not your entire network) if you prefer discretion.
* Write a compelling about section. This is your professional story in your own voice. What do you do well? What kind of work energizes you? What are you looking for next?
* Request recommendations. A layoff can be an ideal opportunity to ask former managers, colleagues, or clients to share their positive thoughts on your work. Fresh recommendations carry weight.
*Engage actively. Comment on posts, share relevant articles, and post your own insights. Visibility on LinkedIn matters during a job search.
Reach Out to Your Network
Studies consistently show that the majority of jobs are filled through networking—many before they’re ever posted publicly. Your network is one of your most valuable assets right now, but it requires intentional activation.
*Start with your inner circle. Let close friends, former colleagues, and trusted mentors know you’re in transition. You don’t have to broadcast it to the world, but the people who know you best are often the most willing to help.
* Be specific about what you’re looking for. “I’m open to anything” makes it hard for people to help you. “I’m looking for operations leadership roles in the manufacturing sector” gives them something to work with.
* Request informational interviews. Reaching out to people in roles or companies you’re interested in—asking for a 20-minute conversation, not a job—is one of the most effective job-search strategies available
* Reconnect with dormant connections. Former colleagues, classmates, or professional acquaintances can be surprisingly helpful. A simple “It’s been a while; I’d love to reconnect” goes a long way.
* Keep track of your outreach. Use a simple spreadsheet to log whom you’ve contacted, when, and what the follow-up should be. Networking without a system is just hope.
Protect Your Mental Health and Routine
This one doesn’t appear on most people’s layoff checklist—but it should. A job search is a marathon, not a sprint, and the professionals who sustain their energy and optimism over weeks and months are the ones who land well. Building a strategic approach to your job search, which includes a schedule and expectations, will help you take a more proactive stance and maintain your sanity during this tumultuous time.
* Create a daily structure. The loss of routine is one of the most disorienting parts of a layoff. Develop a schedule for yourself that includes dedicated job-search time, breaks, exercise, and personal commitments.
* Set reasonable goals. Rather than measuring success by interviews and offers, measure it by your inputs: applications submitted, connections made, conversations had.
* Talk to someone. Whether it’s a trusted friend, a therapist, or a career coach, don’t go through this alone. Isolation makes everything harder.
* Limit doom-scrolling your job boards. Spending hours on job sites without a plan leads to frustration. Batch your applications and set boundaries around when you check your email for responses.
* Acknowledge small wins. Every conversation, every application, and every connection signify progress. One of the biggest positives on your layoff checklist is to acknowledge motion, not matter how big or small.
This Is Just Part of Your Career Journey; a Layoff Checklist Helps
A layoff is not the end of your story. For many professionals, it becomes the turning point that leads to a better role, a better culture fit, or a long-overdue career change. The path forward starts with taking one step at a time—and this checklist is your starting point.
Work through it at your own pace. Ask for help when you need it. And remember that the professionals who land on their feet aren’t the ones who pretend a layoff didn’t knock them down—they’re the ones who got back up with a plan.
At Transition Solutions, we have been helping companies and individuals with workforce changes for 35 years. Our strong reputation for consistently delivering exceptional service at value sets us apart.
If you would like more information on our services, please check out our website at https://www.transitionsolutions.com, or you can contact us directly at 888-424-0003 or email us at info@transitionsolutions.com.
Be sure to follow our LinkedIn company page, where we share advice for companies and individuals going through workforce changes: https://www.linkedin.com/company/transition-solutions/.