What to Do After Losing Your Job
Losing your job can feel like the rug’s been pulled out from under you. Whether it was a layoff, restructuring, or something unexpected, know this: you are not alone. Many have walked this path and emerged stronger. This guide will help you get grounded, regain momentum, and find your next direction.
You may not have chosen this, but you can choose how to respond. Let this guide be a steady foundation for your next few weeks ahead.
Pause Before You Panic
Resist the urge to dive straight into job boards or panic-applying. Give yourself a few days to breathe, process, and rest. Clarity often follows calm. Sometimes, the best move at the beginning is simply to do nothing.
Use this time to:
- Catch up on rest and physical recovery. Take walks. Talk to people who care about you.
- Reflect on your initial reactions—what are you really feeling?
- Write things down. A journal can help surface what matters most to you.
- Reconnect with simple joys—music, nature, cooking, play.
Remember: slowing down at the start allows you to move with greater purpose later.
Assess Your Financial Runway
Before you start planning next steps, get clear on your finances:
- What savings, severance, or support can you rely on?
- What are your essential expenses for the next 3–6 months?
- Cancel non-essentials and tighten your spending.
If you're in Singapore, consider:
- Reviewing your CPF balances and Medisave coverage.
- Checking government support schemes like the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS).
- Looking into job transition programs from Workforce Singapore (WSG).
- Using budgeting/expense tracking apps like YNAB to get a handle on your investments and expenses.
You don’t need a perfect financial picture, just a realistic view of what you’re working with. A clear runway gives you peace of mind and strategic room to manoeuvre.
Ready to make a change?
Your team is steady. Your job is predictable. Yet, the path you’re on doesn’t seem to lead where you want to be. Complacency and laziness might be getting the better of you.
It’s easy to ignore the warning signs when everything seems fine. Real growth happens when you question the status quo and act before the crisis hits.
Discover if coaching is your catalyst for change—risk-free, with no obligation.
In just one free session, you’ll:
- Unpack your unwritten goals and hopes for the future
- Gain clarity on your current reality—your environment, opportunities, and threats
- Get a clear path forward to realignment, momentum, and impact
Whether you’re a founder, team lead, or ambitious professional, this isn’t a sales pitch. It’s a powerful 1-hour strategy session designed to spark clarity and action.
No fluff. No obligations. Just a chance to check in and reset your trajectory.Get Started with a Free Session →
Prioritize Your Mental Wellness (and Consider Coaching)
Job loss isn’t just a financial disruption, it’s emotional too. Feelings of shame, anxiety, or even identity loss are common.
It’s okay to grieve. You’ve lost something that was part of your rhythm, identity, or sense of contribution. Emotional fatigue and brain fog are real, especially when your future feels uncertain.
Here’s what helps:
- Don’t isolate. Talk to someone you trust. Seek out friends, mentors, or peers.
- A therapist can help process the emotional weight.
- A coach can help you rediscover purpose, clarify what’s next, and rebuild confidence.
- Use mindfulness or breathwork to stay grounded.
- Consider using apps like Headspace, Calm or even using a physical journal for maintaining mental clarity.
Seeking support isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a courageous first step toward healing and clarity.
Reflect on What You Really Want
Was your last job actually aligned with your strengths and values? Or were you surviving more than thriving?
Use this window to pause and explore:
- What kind of work energizes you?
- What would you do if you didn’t have to worry about status?
- Are there skills you want to deepen or new fields to explore?
- What do you want your days to feel like?
Some questions to journal about:
- When was the last time you felt deeply fulfilled at work?
- What did people come to you for help with?
- What kind of work environment lets you flourish?
- What are 3 roles or companies you admire—and why?
This might be the best opportunity to realign your career with your true self. Don’t rush this part.
Update and Reconnect
You don’t need to be 100% ready to start moving again. But it’s helpful to stay visible and open to possibilities.
Start small:
- Update your CV, LinkedIn, and portfolio. Focus on impact, not just tasks.
- Write a short post about your transition story; people often respond with encouragement or leads.
- Let former colleagues, friends, and mentors know you're exploring new opportunities.
- Attend industry events, webinars, or casual coffee chats.
- Follow up with recruiters or hiring managers you’ve spoken with in the past.
A helpful script: “I was recently part of a layoff, and I’m using this time to explore what’s next. If you know of any interesting opportunities or people I should connect with, I’d really appreciate it.”
Remember: People want to help. You just need to invite them in.
Take Strategic Action
When you’re ready, take focused, intentional steps:
- Don’t mass-apply. Tailor your approach to roles you’re truly interested in.
- Use a simple tracker (Notion, Trello, Airtable) to stay consistent.
- Explore freelance, part-time, or contract roles to stay active.
- Treat the search as a campaign, not a panic sprint.
Other ideas:
- Upskill through online courses or certifications (Coursera, Udemy, SkillsFuture).
- Join relevant Slack/Discord communities in your field.
- Consider short-term projects or even volunteering in your area of expertise.
- Do mock interviews with friends or career coaches.
- Set goals: 3 applications a day, 2 networking chats a week.
Momentum builds confidence. Progress comes with rhythm.
Ready to make a change?
Your team is steady. Your job is predictable. Yet, the path you’re on doesn’t seem to lead where you want to be. Complacency and laziness might be getting the better of you.
It’s easy to ignore the warning signs when everything seems fine. Real growth happens when you question the status quo and act before the crisis hits.
Discover if coaching is your catalyst for change—risk-free, with no obligation.
In just one free session, you’ll:
- Unpack your unwritten goals and hopes for the future
- Gain clarity on your current reality—your environment, opportunities, and threats
- Get a clear path forward to realignment, momentum, and impact
Whether you’re a founder, team lead, or ambitious professional, this isn’t a sales pitch. It’s a powerful 1-hour strategy session designed to spark clarity and action.
No fluff. No obligations. Just a chance to check in and reset your trajectory.Get Started with a Free Session →
How to Talk About the Layoff in Interviews
This will come up, and that’s okay.
Here’s a solid formula:
- Brief: “Due to a company-wide restructure, my role was impacted.”
- Gracious: “I had a great experience there and learned a lot.”
- Future-facing: “Now I’m looking forward to contributing to a team where I can continue growing and making a difference.”
Avoid:
- Speaking negatively about your former company.
- Over-explaining.
- Apologizing for being laid off. It wasn’t your fault.
Practice your story until it feels natural and confident.
Things to Avoid
In a vulnerable season, it's easy to fall into habits or thought patterns that make things worse. Here are some common traps to watch out for:
- Doomscrolling: Spending hours consuming negative news or toxic social media content can drain your mental health. Set boundaries on your screen time.
- Comparing yourself to others: Seeing friends post new jobs or achievements on LinkedIn can trigger feelings of inadequacy. Remind yourself: everyone’s timeline is different, and social media only shows the highlight reel.
- Isolating: Avoid the temptation to withdraw from others completely. Stay connected, even in small ways; a call, a walk, a message.
- Panic applying: Sending out dozens of applications without strategy leads to burnout and discouragement. Be thoughtful and targeted.
- Overworking to “prove” your worth: You don’t have to earn your right to rest. Productivity isn’t your identity.
Protect your energy. Choose what nourishes your mind and spirit, not what drains it.
Closing: This Is a Chapter, Not the End
This season may be tough, but it isn’t permanent. Many people look back on a job loss as the moment everything started to shift—for the better.
Give yourself grace. Surround yourself with support. And move forward, one step at a time.
You’ve got this.
And if you need someone to talk to or explore possibilities with, feel free to reach out and have a conversation with me.
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