Just got laid off?
Here's your plan.
Take a breath. This page walks you through exactly what to do — this week, this month, and beyond. Every link is free.
Week 1: Immediate Actions
- 1.File for unemployment benefits today. Don't wait — most states have a one-week waiting period before payments begin. Find your state's portal →
- 2.Review your severance agreement. Check for non-competes, COBRA health insurance continuation, and outplacement services. If anything looks off, consult an employment attorney before signing.
- 3.Update your LinkedIn to “Open to Work.” But don't spam-post about being laid off. A brief, professional update is fine — then focus on demonstrating skills, not broadcasting pain.
- 4.Take inventory of your transferable skills. What do you already know that's valuable? Project management, writing, data analysis, client relationships — these don't disappear because your title changed.
- 5.Set a daily routine. Job searching without structure leads to burnout fast. Block dedicated hours for applications, learning, and breaks.
Week 2-4: Assess & Upskill
Figure out where you stand
Before you start learning, understand how exposed your previous role is to AI automation — and which adjacent roles are growing.
Check your job's AI exposure →Pick ONE skill to learn first
Don't try to learn everything at once. Pick the skill closest to what you already do and go deep for a few weeks. Here are three strong starting points:
The most transferable AI skill. 2-4 weeks to get proficient.
Automate what you already know. 4-6 weeks.
Foundation for every AI-augmented role. 3-6 weeks.
Month 2-3: Target Roles & Apply
Explore roles that match your background
You don't need to start from scratch. Many AI-augmented roles map directly to experience you already have.
Use AI tools to supercharge your job search
- •Tailor your resume with ChatGPT or Claude — paste the job description and your resume, and ask it to highlight the most relevant experience.
- •Research companies with Perplexity before interviews — get up-to-date summaries of their AI strategy, recent news, and culture.
Cut Your Costs While You Search
Subscriptions add up when you're between paychecks. Audit what you're paying for and cut anything non-essential until you're back on your feet.
Free Resources to Get Started
You're not alone
Millions of people are navigating this same transition. The fact that you're here means you're already ahead. Take it one step at a time, and don't be afraid to ask for help along the way.