What to Do When You Get Laid Off: A Practical First-Week Checklist

The First 24 Hours Are the Hardest

If you have just been laid off, you are probably feeling a mix of shock, anxiety, and uncertainty about what to do next. That is completely normal. A layoff — even when you saw it coming — is a significant life disruption, and it is okay to take a breath before you start making decisions.

But once the initial shock settles, the best thing you can do for yourself is move from feeling to doing. This guide gives you a practical, week-by-week checklist of everything you need to handle — in the right order — so nothing falls through the cracks.

Day 1 to 2: Handle the Immediate Paperwork

Get your separation documents in writing. Before you leave your employer, make sure you have written confirmation of your last day of employment, your final paycheck date, and whether you are receiving any severance. If you were laid off verbally, follow up with an email asking for written confirmation.

Review your severance agreement carefully before signing. If you are offered severance, you typically have 21 days to review the agreement (45 days if it is a group layoff). Do not feel pressured to sign immediately. If the severance includes a release of claims against the employer, consider having an employment attorney review it — many offer free consultations.

Understand your health insurance options. Your employer-sponsored health insurance typically ends on your last day of employment or the last day of the month. You have three options:

Option	What It Is	Cost
COBRA	Continue your current employer plan	Usually expensive — you pay the full premium your employer was covering
Marketplace plan	ACA plan through healthcare.gov	Often cheaper than COBRA, especially with subsidies based on income
Spouse or partner plan	Join their employer plan	Usually the cheapest option if available

You have 60 days from your coverage end date to enroll in a Marketplace plan. Do not let this deadline pass.

Day 3 to 5: File for Unemployment

File for unemployment benefits as soon as possible. Every state has a waiting period before benefits begin, and the clock does not start until you file. Waiting even a week to file means a week of benefits you will never recover.

To file, you will need your Social Security number, your employer name and address, your dates of employment, your reason for separation (layoff, not resignation), and your recent pay stubs or W-2.

File online through your state's unemployment website. The process takes about 30 to 45 minutes. You will typically receive a determination within 2 to 3 weeks, and benefits are usually paid weekly or biweekly via direct deposit.

You must actively search for work and report your job search activities to continue receiving benefits. Keep a log of every job you apply to.

Day 5 to 7: Take Stock of Your Finances

Before you start applying for jobs, spend an hour understanding your financial runway — how long you can cover your expenses without income.

List your monthly fixed expenses (rent, car payment, insurance, utilities, subscriptions), your monthly variable expenses (groceries, gas, dining out), and add up your savings and any severance you will receive. Divide your savings by your monthly expenses to get the number of months you can cover without income.

Knowing your runway reduces anxiety and helps you make better decisions. If you have 6 months of runway, you can afford to be selective. If you have 6 weeks, you need to move faster and cast a wider net.

Week 2: Update Your Resume

Now that the immediate logistics are handled, it is time to update your resume. Start with these five things:

1. Update your contact information. Make sure your email, phone, and LinkedIn profile are current.

2. Add your most recent job. Write 3 to 5 bullet points describing your responsibilities and accomplishments. Focus on results: numbers, percentages, scale.

3. Write a resume summary. Two to three sentences at the top describing who you are professionally and what you bring to an employer.

4. Update your skills section. List the specific software, tools, and certifications you currently have.

5. Tailor your resume for each job you apply to. Most employers use automated screening software that filters resumes by keyword — if your resume does not contain the right words, it may never reach a human reader.

If you want help with this step, ResumeFit AI analyzes your resume against a specific job description and tells you exactly which keywords are missing. It takes about 60 seconds and is free to try.

Week 2 to 3: Start Applying Strategically

The job search is a numbers game, but quality matters more than quantity. Sending 50 generic applications will get you fewer responses than sending 15 tailored ones.

The best places to look are LinkedIn Jobs (especially strong for office and professional roles), Indeed (broad coverage across all industries), your industry specific job boards, and your personal network. Many jobs are filled through referrals before they are ever posted publicly — tell people you trust that you are looking.

When you apply, read the full job description, customize your resume summary and skills section to match the posting, write a brief cover letter, and apply within the first 48 hours of a posting going live. Early applicants get more attention.

What Not to Do

Do not wait until your resume is perfect to start applying. A good resume that goes out today beats a perfect resume that goes out in two weeks.

Do not apply to everything. Focus on roles where you meet 70 to 80 percent of the requirements.

Do not neglect your mental health. Job searching is emotionally exhausting. Build in breaks, talk to people, and maintain a routine.

Do not burn bridges. Even if your layoff was handled poorly, stay professional with your former employer. You may need a reference, and industries are smaller than they seem.

You Will Get Through This

Layoffs are more common than ever, and they happen to good, capable people at every level of every industry. The professionals who recover fastest are the ones who treat the job search like a job — showing up consistently, applying strategically, and asking for help when they need it.

If you are ready to start updating your resume, try ResumeFit AI free — it takes 60 seconds to see how your resume scores against a specific job description, and the first scan is completely free.