Ep 133 Career: How to get laid off

Show notes

What’s going on, everybody? Welcome into the 133rd episode of The Crazy One Podcast. As always, I’m your host, Stephen Gates—and this is the show where we talk about creativity, leadership, design, and all the other things that matter to creative people.

Give me a little grace—it’s been a while since I’ve done the opening, so I’m a little rusty.

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Why This Episode Matters

This episode is inspired by what’s probably the third-most common question I get in mentoring sessions lately:

“Steve, I think I might be about to get laid off—or I just was. What should I do?”

I’ve touched on this before, but in this episode, I want to walk through the whole process—step by step. Whether you’re anticipating a layoff or it already happened, we’ll talk about:

• How to spot the signs

• How to prepare

• What to do when it happens

• How to recover and move forward

 

Unfortunately, I’ve been laid off three times in my career—so I’ve had more experience with this than I’d like.

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If You Think It’s Coming

If you’re still employed but getting that uneasy feeling, trust it. The signs can be obvious: fewer meetings, vague org updates, being excluded from decisions, or outright rumors. Other times, it’s just a gut feeling.

Here’s what to do:

1. Start quietly preparing

• Back up key work (case studies, screenshots, documentation) that you might want to include in your portfolio.

• Collect personal files from work devices (notes, tax docs, personal photos, etc.).

• Take home personal items discreetly if needed.

 

When layoffs happen, access often ends immediately. In some cases, you’ll get a few days—but I’ve been through the version where they wiped my phone, tablet, corporate card, even canceled my flight home. Don’t assume you’ll have time to collect anything later.

2. Start shoring up your personal life

• Cut unnecessary spending.

• Lower or eliminate debt where possible.

• Talk with your significant other and prepare mentally for the possibility of change.

 

I can’t stress this enough: the first time I got laid off, I was completely unprepared. My resume was outdated, my network was dormant, my portfolio was a mess. It took me weeks just to catch up. Since then, I’ve built systems so I never get caught like that again.

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When It Actually Happens

What the layoff will probably look like:

• A vague or last-minute 15-30 minute meeting invite, often from HR or your manager.

• Your boss reads from a script (legal requirement).

• You’re told your role is impacted.

• They hand off to HR to walk through logistics.

It’s cold. It’s fast. It’s usually on a Friday.

Don’t react emotionally. Just listen.

Don’t agree to anything in that moment. Just take it in.

HR will typically explain:

• When your termination is effective

• Whether you lose access immediately or after a few days

• What your severance package includes (if any)

 

Important: In most U.S. states, companies are not required to pay severance. Many won’t. I’ve seen 10-year veterans get a one-week package.

Also, read the fine print. I once had a company offer me six weeks’ severance—but buried in the contract was a clause that payments would stop the moment I got a new job. Because they paid it as normal payroll rather than a lump sum, I would’ve lost money if I didn’t catch that.

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What You Should Ask

Ask two simple but powerful questions:

1. What’s the timeline to respond? (Do I have until the end of the day? A week?)

2. Is anything negotiable?

 

Sometimes you can negotiate:

• Keeping your laptop

• Extra vacation payout

• Extended health care coverage

 

Not always—but it’s worth asking.

Also, have a lawyer review the severance if you can. Most companies are fair, but don’t assume they have your best interests in mind.

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Processing the Emotion

After it happens, give yourself a window to feel:

• Be angry. Be sad. Cry. Vent. Scream.

• Don’t isolate. Talk to people.

• But set a limit—give yourself a few days or a week, not months.

 

Let yourself process the loss—because yes, it is a loss. Even if you rationally know it wasn’t personal, emotionally it still feels like rejection.

One thing I’ve learned: honesty is powerful. When I publicly acknowledged a layoff, it actually opened more doors. Why? Because it showed leadership, self-awareness, and integrity.

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Getting Back in the Fight

Once you’ve processed the emotion—go to war.

• Polish your resume.

• Get your portfolio in shape.

• Be crystal clear on what you want next.

 

You never know when the dream opportunity will show up. If you’re not ready—emotionally or practically—you could miss it.

I’ll be honest: the last time I was laid off, I didn’t show up well in interviews. I wasn’t proud of my work. I wasn’t clear on whether I wanted to go back in-house or do my own thing. And I got results that reflected that. I own that.

Show up ready. Clear, confident, and prepared.

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Redefining the Narrative

Getting laid off feels deeply personal, but most of the time, it isn’t. It’s a company making a financial decision. That doesn’t make it less painful, but it does mean:

You were successful in spite of them, not because of them.

And now? You get to prove that.

Success is the best revenge.

Build your brand. Tell your story. Show your resilience. I’ve had companies keep tabs on me for years after a layoff, then come back and say, “We should’ve never let you go.”

That’s the kind of reputation you want.

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Final Thoughts

There’s no right way to go through a layoff. Sometimes it’s a relief. Sometimes it’s devastating. Sometimes it feels like a breakup you never wanted.

Whatever it is, let yourself feel it. But then move forward.

Some layoffs will never make sense. The people behind them might have been incompetent. That closure may never come. So don’t waste time waiting for it.

Focus on what you can control: how you respond, how you show up, and what you do next.

Tagged as:
career advice career resilience creative careers emotional impact handling rejection job job interview strategies job loss recovery job search tips job security layoffs networking tips portfolio updates professional growth severance package