By Jazmine Cole, Administration and Corporate Services Manager at Ideas Collide, and VYP Board Member
So… I Got Laid Off. Here’s What Happened Next.
Few weeks into the new year, I stepped into what I thought would be a routine one‑on‑one with my manager. Our normal fun banter was more one-sided with me cracking jokes while he was trying to find the words to tell me some hard news. What should have been a regular check‑in and review of tasks and priorities quickly became a conversation I never saw coming. I was being laid off. Fear, confusion, and a strange sense of stillness overcame me all at once.
Layoffs happen more often than we talk about, especially in a world where companies are tightening budgets and AI is automating everything from emails to entire workflows. It was not AI, it was not personal, it was budget cuts. Still, hearing “your role has been eliminated” hits like a surprise speeding‑camera ticket you get months later when you were sure you were driving like a saint.
But this is my story of what happened next and how I navigated the transition, what I learned, and how I started a new job feeling like the new kid at school.
The First 24 Hours: What to Do When You’re Let Go
After my meeting, I felt everything at once: shock, panic, curiosity, confusion. But here’s what I did and what I’d recommend to anyone in the same boat:
- Breathe. Seriously. Don’t make any big decisions in the first hour. Even better, take the day. Knowing the shock of the news, my boss told me to take the rest of the day off and return in a few days so I could fully absorb it all, because he knew how important it would be to process this information.
- Ask questions. Timeline, benefits, last paycheck.
- Request everything in writing. Emotions make memory unreliable.
- Don’t sign anything immediately. Which brings me to…
Read Your Separation/Severance Agreement Carefully (Yes, You Can Negotiate It!)
This is not the moment to be shy. Many people don’t realize severance terms can be negotiated from payout amount and COBRA to requesting outplacement support. Luckily for me, I had my mom, an incredible HR leader who was able to walk me through this transition and help me learn how to navigate this new path ahead with questions to ask, things to negotiate, and how to digest everything all at once.
If you can, talk to your HR team, a peer, mentor, anyone with a bit of experience in this space or at the very least with someone who’s been through it.
The Emotional Side: It’s Okay to Not Be Okay.
Losing a job is a major life disruption. Work isn’t just work. It’s your daily routine, identity, community, and, let’s be honest, your primary source of income. It’s normal to feel scared or bothered by the decision made by your company.
I will admit that I had it easier than most in the sense that I had a great boss and relationship with my leadership team and co-workers. I was able to speak honestly and talk with them in my days leading up to my last day and even beyond it. If you have supportive friends or family, lean on them. If you don’t, you’re not alone, many young professionals build their support systems through peers, mentors, networking groups or organizations, and even online communities.
But it’s okay to cry, be upset, inhale a gross amount of Sour Patch Kids, have a few large glasses of wine, and binge New Girl until your brain softens.
Take Time to Reflect and Recharge
Before rushing into job applications, I took a moment to reflect and asked myself, “Okay… what do I actually want to do now?” If it scares you a little, it’s probably the right direction. Because as a young woman in the workplace, it’s way too easy to play it safe and only apply for the roles we think we can check every box for and not the ones that feel like a reach.
You’re allowed to want more and capable of more than you think.
Rebuilding Momentum: What I Did Next
Once I had my footing, I shifted into action mode:
- I Updated My Resume (Which You Should Always Keep Fresh)
Nothing is worse than trying to remember what you accomplished a year ago. Keep your resume updated even when you’re employed and track your wins. Easier said than done, but know you should do it regularly, not when necessary.
- IUpdated MyLinkedIn
I posted honestly about my layoff, shared what I was looking for, and reached out to my network.
- I Leveraged My Network and Mentors
I asked for advice and introductions. People want to help more than you think, they just need to know how. This is where reflecting on your next move comes into play. People will ask what you are looking for, so be prepared to answer and with a resume to share.
- I Stayed Busy (andPaid)
While interviewing or connecting with people over coffee or lunch, I picked up a few small things that kept me active and brought in extra income. Here are a few ideas to consider:
- Contract or temp roles
- Freelance projects
- Volunteering (great for your soul and your resume)
- Part‑time serving, catering, or retail shifts
Landing a New Role – YAY?
Connections turned into conversations that turned into interviews and offers. I accepted a role that genuinely excited me and was made through a close connection. But starting a new job after a layoff? It was great news but left me with feelings that didn’t make sense.
In the days leading up to starting my new role, the self‑doubt hit hard. I felt like the new kid at school wondering if people would like me, what I should wear, who my new friends would be. And beneath it all: How do I want to show up this time? What boundaries do I set from the start? Mixed in with the nerves was something new: gratitude, grounding, and a sharper sense of who I am.
I used those feelings of doubt and anxiety as fuel for my conversations with a new mentor, and she helped me see everything from a completely different POV. She reminded me of who I am, how she sees me show up in the community, and how I’ve walked into rooms where I barely knew anyone and still found my footing. She reflected back the version of me I’d forgotten in the emotional chaos I put myself in. She took my fears and turned them into clarity, confidence, and a reminder that I’ve navigated hard things before and that I can do it again.
Layoffs don’t define you. How you respond does.
What I Learned (So You Don’t Have to Learn It the Hard Way)
Layoffs are common and your identity is bigger than your job title.
- Negotiating your severance is not rude, it’s responsible.
- Your network is more powerful than your résumé.
- Taking time to rest is not wasted time.
- You’re more resilient than you think.
Setbacks don’t define you, your response does. Keep showing up for yourself, asking for help when you need it, and most importantly keep moving forward. Don’t get stuck in the “whys” or “what ifs”. Your next chapter is already waiting!