In the last few months, we've seen some of the biggest companies in tech lay off thousands of employees. And with more layoffs expected in 2023, it’s natural to worry about what lies ahead.
If you were laid off recently, you may be wondering what your next steps are. It can be hard to know where to turn or what to do next.
But remember: software engineering has very low unemployment rates (almost never drops below 5%), so just pace yourself and use our guide to stay sane and move forward.
Allow yourself to feel whatever emotions come up—anger, sadness, fear, relief—without judgment. Be sure to give yourself time and space to process these emotions. Talking to a therapist or counselor can also be helpful.
Once you've given yourself time to process everything that's happened, you'll be in a better place to move forward. If you can’t afford to take a lengthy vacation, consider taking a weekend to process your emotions before moving forward.
1. 💰 Tackle Financial Logistics
Take stock of your current financial situation-calculate how long your severance and savings can help you stay afloat.
Apply online for unemployment benefits ASAP because they are notoriously slow to kick in. Your eligibility for unemployment benefits and the amount you’ll receive depends on where you live. Check your individual state's laws to confirm what you can get.
Next, figure out your health insurance coverage under your employer-sponsored plan. Your layoff package should lay out your health insurance status and options.
If you’re unsure of anything, don’t be shy about getting clarity on every little detail of your severance package from HR.
2. 🔄 Update your resume
Once you're ready to start job hunting again, start with updating your resume. It's important to make sure that your resume is up-to-date and reflects your most recent experience.
Add any new skills or experience you gained at your previous job, and be sure to remove any outdated information (like old roles or responsibilities that no longer apply).
If you're not sure where to start, there are plenty of resume templates and examples online that can help guide you.
3. 🤝 Start Networking
Another critical step in finding your next gig is networking—and luckily, thanks to the internet, it's easier than ever before.
Update your LinkedIn profile with your new information (be sure to include a compelling summary and headline), join slack groups and communities created for women & non-binary folks in tech, and start connecting with potential employers and recruiters in your industry.
You never know who might have a lead on your next job.
Leopard’s slack group is a tightly-knit, invite-only group for women & non-binary engineers to get intel on tech companies’ company cultures, compensation, gender ratios, and much more. Did we mention it's forever free?
Connect with the Leopard team to get support during your job search, mentorship opportunities, back channeling help, interview prep assistance, and more. Sign up here to get in touch with the Leopard team & get access to our network.
To Wrap Up..
Losing your job can be a very difficult experience, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the world.
There are things you can do to pick yourself up and start moving forward again. So take some time off if you can, take care of your mental health, update your resume, and join some networks. And before you know it, you’ll be back on your feet again.
Leopard is on a mission to help women & non-binary engineers make informed decisions on where to interview and work. You no longer need to waste time and energy interviewing with companies that do not align with your values.
If you’re ready to make a change and interview with workplaces where you’re celebrated as a woman engineer, get started with Leopard today.
