What To Do After Being Laid Off: Your First 72 Hours

Practical steps to regain control, reduce overwhelm, and plan your next career move

Monday morning, 11:39, I got the call.

The meeting with HR was completely unexpected. Fifteen years of work, suddenly gone. A knot of disbelief hit my chest.

The next few hours passed in a blur of phone calls to colleagues and emotional goodbyes. Each one a reminder that this chapter was over.  

For Alex, every choice felt urgent with a heavy degree of uncertainty.

It’s a similar scenario for the c400,000 Australians who find themselves out of work each year, pushing many into uncertainty and fresh job searches.

Small Steps That Matter in the First 72 Hours After a Layoff

If you ever find yourself in this situation, your first 72 hours are the most important. This article will give you some practical, concrete steps you can take.

These may feel like small actions, but they’ll help you regain some sense of control, reduce overwhelm, and help you set up your next move.

These tips are grounded in what professionals, who’ve been in your shoes, did to move forward.

The next 429 words could be the most important you read.

The First 24 Hours: Pause and Process

The first day after a layoff is disorienting. Emails, HR calls, and final paperwork can feel overwhelming, but your first priority is simply to pause and process the shock. You need to think about yourself and your wellbeing first here. 

• Breathe and acknowledge any shock. Feeling disbelief, anger, or sadness is normal. Allow yourself a short period to absorb the news before making any decisions.
• Organise the immediate and important stuff. Confirm final pay, leave balances, and any severance agreements. Having clarity on your finances will reduce the stress.
• Reach out for support. A trusted friend, family member, or former colleague can provide perspective. Some employers offer EAPs (Employee Assistance programs). Simply talking through the situation with somebody can help you regain a measure of control.

As crude as this may sound, think of this as putting your own oxygen mask on first. 

Days 2 and 3: Assess Your Situation

Once the initial shock subsides, your focus will shift from reacting to evaluating your resources and options. This stage lays the groundwork for a more deliberate job search.

• Review your finances. Map out essential expenses, emergency savings, and any responsibilities. Understanding your fundamental needs informs your job search timeline.
• Reflect on your career goals and value. Consider what skills, experiences, and achievements define who you are and what you can offer, not just your title. For many long-tenured professionals, this is a critical moment to reconnect with their core strengths. 
• Identify professional support. Mentors, industry contacts, and past colleagues can provide guidance or early leads. Begin reaching out in a measured way, even if it’s just to let them know you’re temporarily in transition.

Setting Up Your Job Search Strategy

Before diving into several job applications, it helps to prepare a plan:

• Update your resume and LinkedIn profile. Highlight your most relevant experience and achievements. Tailoring your profile to the roles you intend to pursue increases visibility to recruiters and employers.  
• Clarify target roles and industries. Avoid applying to everything. This is where most people go wrong. More applications doesn’t necessarily mean more chances. The opposite usually plays out. Focus on positions that align with your skills and career goals.
• Start documenting your search. Keep a simple spreadsheet of applications, follow-ups, and responses. This prevents confusion and helps you measure progress objectively.

Avoiding Early Pitfalls

Even small mistakes in the first few days can slow momentum:

• Rushing to apply to everything. Activity doesn’t equal results. A focused approach returns higher-quality opportunities.
• Ignoring emotional needs. A job search is a cognitive and emotional process. Burnout can start in the first week if you don’t pace yourself.
• Neglecting your network. Many opportunities never make it to job boards. Your connections can be critical line of support in the first 72 hours.

Your First 72 Hours: A Quick Checklist

1. Pause and acknowledge – Give yourself time to process the news.
   2. Organize those immediate necessities – HR, paperwork, final pay, and severance.
   3. Review your finances – Map essential expenses and emergency savings.
   4. Reflect on your career value – Identify your key skills, achievements, and strengths.
   5. Update your resume and LinkedIn profile – Tailor your profile to the roles you’re pursuing.
   6. Identify your professional support network – Reach out to mentors, past colleagues, and networks.
   7. Document your job search – Track applications, follow-ups, and responses.

What Comes Next

By the end of the first three days, you should feel more grounded.

You’ve processed the initial shock, assessed your resources, and begun laying the foundation for a targeted job search.

The next stage is to start reaching out, applying strategically, and building momentum. With clarity rather than haste.

We’ll cover these more over the next few weeks. In the meantime, you may find the following articles and resources helpful.

How to tailor your resume after being laid off: Some expert resume tips and free templates

How to showcase your career value after a layoff: Expert tips on how to position your value to hiring managers and land job interviews

How to update your LinkedIn profile: Get found by more employers looking for people like you

After taking your first 72 hours to regroup, if you need guidance on next steps, get in touch. You’ll always hear back

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