WWYD if potential job loss coming up?

**ua_guy** · 10-28-2025, 01:47 PM

Check into unemployment eligibility and become familiar with any benefits you may have. Some severance isn't counted in unemployment calculations, so you may be able to double-dip those weeks/months. Also look into tax withholdings of UI payouts in your state. You don't want to have an unexpected tax bill from unemployment benefits if they only withhold say, 10%, and your income is regularly taxed at a higher level during the year.

Check into what you plan to do next for health insurance - if you might sign up for Cobra, or elect to buy a marketplace plan (get quotes?), or if you're able to jump on a spouse's insurance, or if your spouse will lose your insurance? This may alter your savings trajectory, depending on how you plan to keep yourself and any dependents insured.

Start thinking about how you will take care of yourself mentally and physically -- this is probably the most important. How you might structure your days without work, if you plan to give yourself breaks from job search activities, or even take a "vacation" of sorts during your time off, or what projects and activities you might want to do if resources allow. Time between jobs/careers can be really enriching, relaxing, and it can also be immensely stressful, and feel deflating. When I was laid off, it was at the beginning of JULY. Perfect timing. Not all layoffs happen at the beginning of beautiful weather/seasons. If it happens at the beginning of a cold and depressing winter, this is where you need a plan starting with Day 1.

Start thinking about the actual layoff event itself. It will probably be quick, unforeseen (in terms of exact day, time). You might have time to collect your personal belongings and then may be escorted out of the office. If you are remote, your company might ask you to do something stupid like try to stay engaged and be helpful to transition work to others over the next two weeks until the termination is official. Pfft. Either way, even if you're expecting it, you'll probably experience a flood of emotions, anger being one of them. Have a plan for how you will react. Preserving your severance and anything you have coming to you becomes priority 1.

**LivingAlmostLarge** · 10-29-2025, 10:31 AM

Start brushing up resume and networking now. Touchbase now with all friends and contacts and let them know you are looking if there is the "right" position now you'll take it. Or keep you in mind. Go to events or meetups in your field and actively put feelers out to everyone you know. take classes to improve your skills or learning that may help expand your job search. If there is any sort of impact projects at work you can finish up and talk about do it now. Start taking notes and download performance reviews to craft your answers for what is your strength and weaknessness. Difficult situations and how would you handle. Make a list of companies you would like to work at and start targeting them. Start looking at your linkedin network and making sure you hit up people at company you are interested in. Talk to recruiters as well. This can be a full time second job if you really wanted to make sure you had a job before your layoff or leap before it ever comes. Studying and networking if done right can take hours. I can honestly tell you that my DH says he can tell which people have kept their skills up and which have allowed themselves to languish. And our closest friends have had no problems leaping into other jobs at nearly 50 or 50+ versus a lot of average workers in the very ageist field of Tech. There is a divide between those who know how to keep skills and network and those who can't.

That's only if you want another job. The easiest way to get another job is to have one. Also if your boss knows it's coming are the supportive of you looking? If you want time off follow UA_Guys advice.

Financial I would start looking at your budget and figuring out if you can trim things easily. I'd hold off on any vacations unless you plan a vacation as soon as your laid off or before you start a new job if you find one. If there is a 2-4 week trip and you find another job you could delay it and say I'm taking X time off to do this trip.

I would pay down any debts you have. I would check all credit lines are open that you want open like a CC or HELOC. I would pay off any 401k loans. I probably wouldn't stockpile more cash at the expense of maxing out my retirement accounts because i'd want to work. But if i were going to take some time off in between tehn absolutely would i stockpile cash.

Good luck.

**Fishindude77** · 10-29-2025, 10:36 AM

Lots of jobs out there.
I'd line up another job, even if it's out of your field somewhat and doesn't quite match your existing income. No sense bleeding your savings too badly if you don't have to.
Then continue looking for a good long term career fit.

**Fishindude77** · 10-29-2025, 11:37 AM

I guess it depends upon where you live.
Employers are starving for help around here, advertising signing bonuses, etc.

**ua_guy** · 10-29-2025, 12:03 PM

Originally posted by Fishindude77 View Post

Lots of jobs out there.
I'd line up another job, even if it's out of your field somewhat and doesn't quite match your existing income. No sense bleeding your savings too badly if you don't have to.
Then continue looking for a good long term career fit.

That's not how it works in specialized positions in corporate settings. But I think your intent is good. Start looking for the replacement gig now in case there's something good out there. A step back or diversion could really hurt future opportunity and/or long term income growth. It's easier to shop for a position and negotiate commensurate pay when you already hold it.

**Fishindude77** · 10-30-2025, 05:25 AM

My thinking is just get some type of a job quickly if you get laid off to get some cash coming in rather than bleeding your savings.
Sure, it may not be your dream job or career choice but you will have some money coming in while you keep looking for the right fit.

**Fishindude77** · 10-30-2025, 08:22 AM

We obviously think very differently.

I'm pretty certain just about any able bodied, reasonably intelligent, presentable individual could very easily find $15-20 hr (or more) employment and be working within the week.
You might be in the Amazon warehouse, humping materials at Home Depot, labor on a construction site or delivering pizzas but you'd have work and income.
Sitting idle and doing nothing is a bad idea.

**ua_guy** · 10-30-2025, 09:55 AM

I think there are jobs which aren't worth doing compared to focusing efforts on lining up the next high paying gig / career job replacement. Not that the work isn't worth doing or is beneath anyone, it's just a matter of economics. Side gigs which can be done at leisure's pace would probably be a better fit to reduce boredom or generate anecdotal income.

I don't see where anyone recommended sitting around and doing nothing.

**Jluke** · 10-30-2025, 03:09 PM

If collecting unemployment that might “pay” more than delivering pizzas(??)

**ua_guy** · 10-31-2025, 05:20 AM

Our state's UI here in WA pays between $342 and a maximum of $1,079 per week. The amount is calculated on past earnings, and the benefit pays up to 26 weeks in a 52-week window. UI could definitely pay more than delivering pizzas, but only if delivering pizzas wasn't your job prior to unemployment. If you were delivering pizzas or working at Home Depot for $20/hr, you'd have plenty of incentive to get back to work versus collecting UI. UI basically pays between 20% and up to 63% of your former wage up to that $1,079 weekly cap.

If you were pulling in $10k/month for 2 years before job loss, you're still only getting $1,079 per week. There's plenty of incentive to get back to work and replace one's former income level.

WWYD if potential job loss coming up?