If You Got Laid Off Tomorrow, What Would You Do First?

Layoff Anxiety Is Real

Even if your job feels safe, the thought crosses your mind:

“What would I do if I got laid off tomorrow?”

It’s no longer a rare, worst-case scenario; it’s part of modern career math. Restructuring. AI adoption. Cost-cutting. VC runway. Market downturns. It’s not personal. But it is real.

Waiting for the email is one way to cope. Preparing for it, quietly and strategically, is smarter.

Here’s your playbook for staying ready, even if the pink slip never comes.

1. Know Your Immediate Financial Runway

What to do today:

• Calculate your monthly non-negotiable expenses

• Know how long you could cover them without income

• Audit your emergency fund (or start building one)

Why it matters: Time equals power. If you have 3–6 months of breathing room, you won’t grab the first offer out of panic. Grabbing the first offer out of panic often does more harm then good because if that role doesn't work out (which it often doesn't), then you look jumpy.

Bonus tip: Set up a separate “Layoff Buffer” account. Even $200/month adds up fast.

2. Build a ‘Career Emergency Kit’

What to include:

• Updated resume

• A one-paragraph “about me” blurb

• A shortlist of 5–10 ideal companies

• A short list of advocates who would refer you in a heartbeat

• Project highlights or proof of value (slide, PDF, case study)

Why it matters: When layoffs hit, speed matters. The faster you can signal your value, the faster you get back on track.

Pro move: Keep a Notion doc or Google Drive folder updated quarterly with wins, metrics, and feedback.

3. Make Yourself Findable—Before You Need to Be

Do this now:

• Update your LinkedIn profile headline and about section

• Share 1–2 posts a month about your expertise, projects, or point of view

• Comment meaningfully on posts from industry leaders or hiring managers

Why it matters: Opportunities often come through perceived activity, not just past experience. Visibility builds optionality.

4. Know Your ‘Bridge Skills’

Ask:

“What roles would I be qualified for, adjacent to what I do now?”

For example:

• A product marketer might pivot into customer success, strategy, or content leadership

• A project manager might shift into operations, revenue enablement, or internal tooling

Why it matters: You may not land your dream job immediately. Knowing your lateral lanes keeps income flowing while you climb again.

5. Cultivate 5 “Call-First” Relationships

Who are the five people you’d text immediately if you were let go?

If that list feels thin:

• Reconnect with old coworkers, mentors, or hiring managers

• Give before you ask—send value, share leads, offer help

• Stay top-of-mind without being needy

Why it matters: When doors close, people open them. The best opportunities rarely come through applications—they come through conversations.

6. Learn AI—Even a Little

Why now: AI is transforming white-collar work, and being AI-fluent will only become more valuable.

Simple next steps:

• Spend 30 minutes a week testing tools like ChatGPT, Notion AI, or Claude

• Learn how your job is changing because of automation

• Practice using AI to speed up repetitive tasks or brainstorming

You don’t need to be an expert. You need to be dangerous enough not to be overlooked.

7. Get Clear on Your Story

You don’t need a polished pitch, just clarity.

Can you answer:

• What are you great at?

• Who benefits most from your skill set?

• What proof backs that up?

• What’s the next chapter you’re excited about?

Why it matters: When someone says, “I might know someone hiring,” your response shouldn’t be a ramble. It should be a headline.

Your Layoff-Ready Checklist

Use this to assess your current career readiness—before you're forced to.

✅ I know my financial runway. I’ve calculated how long I could cover expenses without income.

✅ I’ve built a ‘Career Emergency Kit.’ Resume, personal blurb, project highlights, ideal company list, and advocates are ready.

✅ My LinkedIn is active and relevant. My headline is clear, my About section tells a story, and I post or comment regularly.

✅ I’ve identified my ‘bridge skills.’ I know 1–2 adjacent roles I could transition into quickly if needed.

✅ I have 5+ “call-first” contacts. Trusted people who know my value and would help or refer me.

✅ I’m gaining AI fluency. I’ve tested tools, explored how AI impacts my role, and used it to enhance my work.

✅ I know my story. I can explain my skills, proof, and career direction in 2–3 clear sentences.

✅ I’ve stopped assuming anything is permanent. I’m not operating from fear—but from leverage and clarity.

Final Thought: Build Optionality While Things Are Good

The best time to prepare for a layoff isn’t after it happens. It’s before, when you still have access, stability, and leverage.

Layoffs are a reset. They can feel like loss or create clarity. The outcome depends on how prepared you are when it hits.

You don’t have to live in fear. You just need to stop assuming your W2 is a guarantee.

This isn’t about being paranoid. It’s about being positioned.

Because if you got laid off tomorrow, you’ll already know exactly what to do next.