Losing your job can feel like a punch to the gut, especially in today’s climate where layoffs seem to be making headlines regularly. In January 2025 alone, U.S.-based employers announced nearly 50,000 job cuts, a 28% increase from the previous month. Industries like technology and retail have been particularly hard-hit, with companies such as Meta and Wayfair reducing their workforces. If you’ve recently found yourself among those affected, know that you’re not alone.
This guide is here to help you navigate the path to recovery, with plenty of resources to help you get back on your feet!
If you notice these red flags at work, it’s time to start job hunting ASAP:
1️⃣ Overloading You with Work – If you’re suddenly given an unmanageable workload, it might be a setup to justify letting you go for not completing everything.
2️⃣ Documenting Everything – Being asked to detail every task and process could mean they’re preparing for your departure and need a record of what you do.
3️⃣ Low Performance Review Scores – If you receive less than a three, it may be part of a strategy to document reasons for termination.
4️⃣ Being Put on a PIP (Performance Improvement Plan) – If this happens, you need to start looking for a new job immediately.
5️⃣ Setting You Up to Fail – This includes assigning tasks outside your expertise or implementing policies that make your job harder.
If you’re losing sleep wondering if you’re next, here are seven things you should do right now to stay prepared:
1️⃣ Keep Your Resume Updated – You don’t want to miss out on an opportunity because your resume isn’t ready.
Download my free resume templates here!
2️⃣ Track Your Tasks & Accomplishments – Many employees get locked out of their work computers without warning. Keep a record of your achievements somewhere safe.
3️⃣ Stay Active on LinkedIn – A dormant profile won’t attract recruiters or opportunities.
Check out my free LinkedIn audit!
4️⃣ Continue Networking – Don’t be the person who only reaches out when they need a job—build connections before you need them.
5️⃣ Turn on Job Alerts – Even if you’re not actively looking, staying aware of who’s hiring can give you a head start.
6️⃣ Build an Emergency Fund – Aim for 3-6 months of expenses to cushion a job loss.
7️⃣ Have a Second Income Stream – Relying solely on your employer is risky. A side hustle or extra income can provide security.
If you’ve just been laid off, here are the three most important steps to take immediately:
1️⃣ File for Unemployment – Apply as soon as possible through your state’s Department of Labor website, as processing can take time.
Click here to file for unemployment
2️⃣ Review Your Insurance Options – If you had employer-provided health insurance, you may qualify for COBRA, which lets you keep the same coverage—but at full cost to you. Be cautious of scams and wait for official communication from your employer.
Click here to learn about COBRA
3️⃣ Examine Your Severance Package – Carefully review any severance agreement for clauses like:
While not always predatory, it’s best to consult a lawyer if you see them.
We’re often made to feel like layoffs are a personal failing, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
A layoff is just one day out of your entire career, so don’t let it take up too much space on your resume!
✔ Step 1: Find the right template for you—whether you’re a seasoned professional or a recent grad, I’ve got 10 free templates ready to go.
Grab your free resume template here! Don’t worry, there’s a quiz on the downloads page that will help you choose the right one!
✔ Step 2: Address the layoff—quickly and professionally. A layoff is the company’s fault, not yours, so it only deserves three words on your resume.
If you’re using my templates, this is already done for you!
Here’s a smarter approach to tailoring your resume:
1️⃣ Identify the job titles you’re targeting. For example, if you work in marketing, you might be applying for Content Manager, Social Media Manager, or Market Research roles.
2️⃣ Gather 3–5 job descriptions for each title.
3️⃣ Use AI to analyze the job descriptions and summarize the top 15 hard skills required for each role.
Here is the exact prompt I recommend: I want to write one resume that suits these three job descriptions, can you summarize the requirements for the following job descriptions into one list? Please include education and years of service requirement, along with the top 15 hard skills:
4️⃣ Update your resume to reflect those key skills in your summary and bullet points—ensuring your resume is already tailored for future applications.
By following this process, your resume will be relevant without constant rewrites, saving you time and increasing your chances of landing interviews.
Grab Hire Power!
It’s my all in one job search toolkit, designed to teach you how to run your job search like an experienced resume writer!
You’ll get five guidebooks, including 2,000 resume bullet points, the LinkedIn Launch Lab, the Resume Vault, the Interview Workbook, and the Resume Guidebook!
“Hire Power is the tool that I wish I had five years ago! Morgan does an amazing job of answering all of your questions, breaking down everything you want to know and bringing to light things you didn’t know you didn’t know. The amount of information HP contains is priceless compared to what I’ve seen in the market, and her experience that brings this all together is the cherry on top.”
If you’re applying like everyone else, you’re probably struggling to land interviews. Here’s how we’re fixing your resume to help you stand out:
1️⃣ Half of your competition isn’t even qualified – many people rely on AI to apply, which means their applications don’t meet the minimum qualifications. For you, this means to focus on quality over quantity of applications.
2️⃣ Most resumes lack impact – Only 26% of applicants use impact-driven bullet points with at least five metrics. If your resume is just listing responsibilities, you’re blending in, not standing out.
3️⃣ You don’t need perfect data—just reasonable estimates – If you’re unsure about metrics, think: Would my manager back this up? If the answer is yes, add it!
If you need some examples of metrics to include, check out this page!
Simply shifting from quantity to quality and adding measurable impact puts you ahead of most applicants.
Your LinkedIn profile is likely due for a serious refresh. Here are five quick things you can do today to bring it back to life:
1️⃣ Update your banner and headshot – That old college photo isn’t cutting it anymore. A professional, up-to-date image makes a huge difference.
2️⃣ Fix your tagline – Don’t let it default to just your job title and company name. Instead, optimize it for the roles you want using keywords that recruiters actually search for.
3️⃣ Turn on “Open to Work” – Let recruiters know you’re available without making it public to your current employer.
4️⃣ Fill out your work experience – Don’t just list your job title and company. Think like a marketer—use industry-specific phrases that will help you show up in recruiter searches.
5️⃣ Optimize your skills section – You can add up to 100 skills, so take advantage of this. Skip generic ones like “leadership” and “Microsoft Teams” and instead focus on highly specific, job-relevant skills.
And for the full audit, check it out here!
Here’s how to re-engage your network and get job recommendations—even if your LinkedIn has been collecting dust.
1️⃣ Update your LinkedIn profile – Before reaching out, make sure your profile is polished and optimized. (Check out yesterday’s video for tips!)
2️⃣ Start small with personal messages – Reach out to former coworkers, mentors, or work besties privately before making a public post. This approach is more personal and has a better chance of getting a response.
Example Message: I hope you’re doing well! I wanted to share a quick update—unfortunately, I was recently laid off and am now looking for my next opportunity. If you hear of any roles in [industry or job function], I’d really appreciate any leads or connections. I’m also attaching my most recent resume if that gives you any ideas!
Thanks so much, and I hope we can catch up soon!
3️⃣ Make a public post strategically – If you don’t get leads through DMs, it’s time to post on LinkedIn. Thanks to your recent activity, the algorithm will help boost your post. Be clear about:
What happened (layoff, job search, career transition)
What roles you’re looking for
A call to action (e.g., asking for intros, connections, or for them to share your post)
I’m now actively searching for my next role in [industry or job function], where I can leverage my skills in [key skills] to make an impact. If you know of any opportunities or connections that might be a good fit, I’d love to hear from you!
I’m grateful for the experiences and relationships I’ve built so far, and I’m excited for what’s ahead. If you’re in a similar situation, know that you’re not alone—happy to connect and support each other however we can!
Did you know the job boards you use can make or break your job search? Some are filled with outdated listings, while others are goldmines for remote opportunities. As someone who has helped hundreds of people land remote jobs, here are my top picks:
✅ Built In – Perfect for those looking for jobs at tech companies, even if you’re not in a tech role. Be mindful that these companies can be volatile, but they offer tons of opportunities.
✅ Remote.co – This board has the most remote healthcare roles I’ve seen. Pro tip: Avoid the subscription trap—skip the signup button and head straight to the remote job board tab for free listings.
✅ NoDesk – The best site for digital nomads. These aren’t just remote jobs—they’re work-from-anywhere jobs.
✅ Ladders – Requires a subscription, but it’s worth it because you can filter out jobs that don’t meet your salary expectations. And you didn’t hear this from me… but you can browse job listings for free and then apply directly on the company’s career page. 😉
✅ Flexa – If you’re looking for remote jobs in Europe, this is where you need to be!
By the time most job seekers get to the actual application, they’re burned out—and I get it. But because the job market is so competitive, here are three things you cannot afford to phone in:
1️⃣ Manually Enter Your Experience – Yes, it’s annoying to upload your resume and type it all out again. But some recruiters only look at applications, while others check resumes. Copy and paste your details so you don’t miss an opportunity just because Workday hasn’t fixed their system yet.
2️⃣ Avoid Bad AI Use – Bulk-apply services and AI-generated cover letters aren’t helping you. When I posted a freelance job recently, I got four identical AI-written cover letters—guess how many of them got hired? (None.)
3️⃣ Stop Chasing Useless Referrals – It’s better to submit a high-quality cold application than to message 20 random employees who can’t actually help you get hired. If you’re being a nuisance, you’re probably hurting your chances.
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