You just got here. Start here.
Last updated 2026-07-01
The first 72 hours after a layoff are disorienting, and that's exactly when several real deadlines start their clock — which makes this the worst possible moment to be operating on instinct instead of a checklist. Before anything else: confirm your last paycheck date and any accrued PTO payout, get a personal copy of your severance agreement and note its review/revocation windows, and export your own contacts and work samples while you still have system access.
After the logistics, the next 72 hours are about not going quiet. Tell a small circle of people — not a mass LinkedIn post yet, just the 10-15 people who'd actually help — that you're in transition and what you're looking for next. Waiting until you "have it together" to tell anyone is the single most common early mistake; the people most likely to help you land your next role are the ones who hear from you now, not three months from now.
What the full guide covers
- Hour-by-hour priorities for day one
- What to secure before you lose system access
- How and when to tell your network (and who to tell first)
- Severance and paperwork deadlines that start immediately
- What to deliberately NOT do in the first 72 hours
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Frequently asked questions
What's the very first thing I should do after a layoff?
Before anything emotional or strategic: secure your own data (contacts, work samples, performance reviews) while you still have access, and note your severance review/revocation deadlines.
Should I post on LinkedIn immediately?
Not necessarily immediately, but don't wait long either. Telling a small, trusted circle first is usually more productive than a public post in the first 72 hours — the public post can come once you have a clearer next-step framing.