How to Navigate Layoffs in Engineering Fields

Being laid off permanently changed me—how I see work, how I approach my career, and how I prepare for the unexpected. No one expects to lose their job, but if I could go back, there are a few things I’d do differently. If you ever get that gut feeling that a layoff might be coming, here are some ways to prepare: ✅ Track your wins. Keep a running list of your achievements, major projects, and quantifiable impact. When it’s time to update your resume, you won’t have to rely on memory. ✅ Save important contacts. Once you’re locked out of your computer, you’ll lose access to internal messaging. Get personal emails or LinkedIn connections for your manager, mentors, and close colleagues while you still can. ✅ Download performance reviews & key docs. If you’ve had a great review or any formal recognition, save it somewhere personal. These can be helpful for future job searches or salary negotiations. ✅ Update your LinkedIn & resume regularly. Don’t wait until you need a job to start updating. Keep your profile fresh so you’re always prepared. ✅ Understand your benefits. If layoffs are rumored, check your company’s severance policies, health insurance extensions, and any career transition resources they might offer. ✅ Start networking before you need to. Even if you’re happy in your role, build relationships, engage on LinkedIn, and stay visible in your industry. You never know when those connections will be invaluable. I wasn’t prepared when my layoff happened, but I’ve learned so much since then. If you’re facing uncertainty at work, I hope these tips help you feel more in control. And if you’ve been through a layoff, what advice would you add? #Layoffs #CareerGrowth #JobSearch #Networking

I've been hearing from people who recently experienced layoffs. Here’s my advice for those who just had their worlds turned upside down: 1) Feel all the feelings. Anger, grief, shame, depression, anxiety, stress … it will all hit you. You’re on an emotional rollercoaster and it’s important to acknowledge and work through the wave of emotions that hit you. 2) Know it’s not your fault. Your job was eliminated for reasons out of your control. It is not a reflection of your performance, skills, or competence on the job. You can be a top performer and still be laid off. 3) Gather testimonials and recommendations from your colleagues. You will likely post about your layoff on LinkedIn and get all sorts of people supporting you and saying nice things. Capture that lighting in a bottle! When people say, “Let me know how I can help,” ask them for a recommendation on your LinkedIn profile. 4) Make doctor’s appointments. If you had a good healthcare plan from your company, take advantage of it before it goes away. Squeeze in all the doctor appointments you can before the insurance runs out (I hate offering this advice, our healthcare system is so backward.) 5) Apply for unemployment benefits right away. It could take a few weeks to kick in. 6) Calculate your runway. Did you get a severance package? Look at your monthly expenses and calculate how long the severance package can keep you afloat. This might give you some breathing room. 7) Negotiate your noncompete clause. If your contract has a noncompete clause, see if you can negotiate around it to make it easier to find your next job. An employment lawyer can help with this. 8) Don’t start job hunting right away. I talk with people all the time who were laid off and say, “I’ve got to brush up my resume.” Ok, yeah, eventually, but take a beat first. Process your emotions, get your fiscal needs in order, make those doctor appointments, take a mental health day … whatever makes this time easier. 9) Don’t just focus on your resume. Today’s job market is tough, and you need more than a good resume to get a new job. An optimized and active LinkedIn profile is essential, as is a robust network and connections with recruiters. Work on your profile, reconnect with your network, and reach out to recruiters who specialize in your industry. 10) When you’re ready to announce you’re Open to Work, get specific about what you want - what kind of job titles do you want at what kind of companies? The more specific you are about what you want, the easier it is for your network to help you. To those who have been laid off before, I’m sure I’ve missed some steps here, what else would you add to this list? I'm rooting for you. 👊 ♻ Please repost if you think this advice will help others. ***** Hi, have we met? I'm Emily and I'm on a mission to get the #greenbannergang back to work, one actionable step at a time. #jobsearch #jobhunt #jobseekers

LESSONS LEARNED FROM SEVEN LAYOFFS Wisdom. The hard way. Layoff come in all shapes and forms. Sometimes, you have an an inkling something is afoot, most of the time you don't. Once the initial shock wears off, you're forced to deal with your new reality, overwhelming panic and the monumental task of find something new. Quickly. But, this is 2024. The rules have changed. The days of being feted and fawned over liked a prized Guernsey at the 4H exhibition hall are over. Recruiters won't be knocking down your door and you won't be flown all over the world to be wined and dined by companies trying to convince you to work for them. The press releases once blasted in the trades, daily rags and affinity websites announcing your hiring are nothing more than sepia toned memories of a job market that once was and may never been seen again. Turn the page and steel yourself. My rules for surviving a layoff. 1. Take NOTHING personally. The job market doesn't reflect your value. Period. 2. It's better to apply to right jobs rather than all the jobs. 3. Your CV matters; cover letters, not so much. 4. Networking is important. But, you're going to be ghosted more by former colleagues than any recruiter. Prepare for this and get ready for the eventual throat punch when someone with whom you thought was close blows you off and refuses to help you. This will happen. Get over it. 5. Everyone will have an opinion on the best strategies to find a job. What works for me, may not work for you. Remember, nothing works, but a little bit of everything, done consistently over time, will. 6. Be patient. It's said that the average job search lasts eight months. 30-60 day job searches can happen and you may be able to find a job, but it's not probable. Manage your expectations, accordingly. If you don't, you're going to burn yourself out. 7. Walk away when you need a break. This could mean a few hours or a few weeks. The frank truth is that it won't make a difference to the outcome of your search 99% of the time. 8. Don't compare yourselves to others. Run your own race and work your own search. Everyone is walking a different path. 9. Find a support network of fellow job seekers. Friends and family who are gainfully employed or whom have never been laid off won't get what you're going through. More often than not, their "support" will only piss you off despite their best intentions and well wishes. 10. When you are working, live beneath your means and bank as much cash as you can. Layoffs happen. Get yourself financially prepared. Having an emergency fund of cash parked in a money market account has saved my ass more than I'd care to admit. Take everything that I say with a grain of salt, but after seven layoffs in my career, including three in the last five years, these are my 10 rules to live by during a layoff. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AS MUCH AS I BELIEVE IN YOU! #LINKEDINKEITH

Layoffs surged 245% in February. Many of you have found yourself on the market. If I had to summarize my advice, it would be this: 1. Announce on LinkedIn 2. Take all the inbound 3. Develop your outbound engine 4. Improve your inbound engine 5. Practice hard for interviews 6. Negotiate with courage Before the pitchforks come out, let me explain... 1. Announce on LinkedIn Yes, it hurts. And I know you want to take a break after all that work. But this will generate a lot of inbound for you. And the best time to do it is soon. "I was laid off today" does better on social than "I was laid off last month." 2. Take all the Inbound It's tempting to be picky with offers that you go with. "This role is below my level." Or, "this role would require relocation." For now, just say yes and assume you'll take the hit. The interview practice is going to help you greatly. 3. Develop Your Outbound Engine Eventually, your inbound will dry up. This is the time to take a little break if you want. Then, get ready to figure out how to apply to jobs. The best way by far is to not approach job searching like other candidates: https://lnkd.in/eqn5Eqq6 4. Improve Your Inbound Engine The best way to get jobs is actually to get those jobs to come to you. Because the best companies prefer to reach out vs be reached out to. So you need to get your LinkedIn profile views up, and your conversion rate: https://lnkd.in/egeXb7Sc 5. Practice Hard for Interviews Let's be honest: interviews are not like the job. They're a different beast entirely. Your best bet with interviews is to do a lot of them. And to take great notes right after to analyze how you can do better. 6. Negotiate With Courage I've seen way too many people lose their spine after a layoff. Don't be that way and just go for the quick money. Take time to negotiate and maybe even consider not jumping at your first offer. If you have experience, you'll find work. Most of all: You got this. I know it's tough. You'll be back.

As an executive recruiter, I've witnessed countless professionals transform unexpected layoffs into powerful career pivots. Here's your comprehensive guide for turning this challenge into an opportunity 📈 Immediate Actions (First 48 Hours): • Document everything from your termination meeting • Review severance package details thoroughly • Address healthcare coverage gaps • File for unemployment benefits • Archive important work samples and documentation • Connect with colleagues before losing access Next Steps: • Give yourself permission to process the change • Update your LinkedIn profile strategically • Review your financial position and timeline • Reflect on your career direction • Start networking with purpose Remember that a layoff is often more about company circumstances than individual performance. I've placed numerous executives who used their layoff as a catalyst for significant career advancement. This is your opportunity to: • Reassess your career trajectory • Target organizations aligned with your values • Build a more intentional professional network • Position yourself for roles that truly excite you The key is maintaining momentum while being strategic about your next move. Don't rush into the first opportunity - use this time to ensure your next role is a genuine step forward. Check out my newsletter for more insights here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju #executiverecruiter #eliterecruiter #jobmarket2025 #profoliosai #resume #jobstrategy #careerresilience