What to do after being laid off: your first week

Updated November 9, 2026

In the first week, lock in your income and health coverage before you start applying: file for unemployment, decide on health insurance, review any severance, then tell your network. In the US, file with your state as soon as possible, and you have 60 days to enroll in COBRA.

What to do

1. Get everything in writing. Ask HR for your final pay date, severance terms, the date your benefits end, and what happens to unused vacation and retirement accounts. Save your contacts and any reviews you're allowed to keep.
2. File for unemployment. In the US, each state runs its own unemployment insurance, and you usually qualify if you lost the job through no fault of your own and meet your state's work requirements. Find your state's site through CareerOneStop and file this week. Elsewhere, contact your national employment service.
3. Choose your health coverage. In the US, COBRA usually keeps your employer plan for up to 18 months, but you often pay the full premium. You have 60 days to enroll, so compare it with a marketplace plan first.
4. Review severance before you sign. Check what you give up, and ask for more time or better terms in writing. If you're 40 or older, read the extra US protections.
5. Make a budget for a long search. List fixed costs, pause what you can, and plan for a search that takes longer than you hope.
6. Tell people, then plan. Post a short, positive update and message ten people directly. From week two, set a daily routine for outreach and applications.

What to say

To share the news on LinkedIn or by email:

My role at [company] was eliminated this week as part of a wider layoff. I'm proud of what we built, especially [one result]. I'm now looking for my next role in [area]. If you know a team that needs [skill], I'd love an introduction.

Avoid

• Signing a severance agreement the same day it's offered.
• Putting off your unemployment claim because you hope to find a job fast.
• Applying everywhere in a panic before you know what you want next.

Questions