This Moment Feels Heavy. We Know.
Microsoft laid off nearly 7,000 people on May 13, 2025. That brings the total to over 53,000 tech professionals impacted by layoffs just this year.
Behind these numbers are real people—talented, hardworking individuals facing a deeply personal transition.
If that’s you, please read on.
This isn’t a pep talk.
It’s a real-world, step-by-step guide to help you get back on your feet—or take your first steps in a brand-new direction.
Step 1: Apply for Unemployment Benefits
- Your income just stopped, but your expenses haven’t.
- Most U.S. states offer unemployment benefits to help replace a portion of your lost earnings.
- Apply as soon as possible. Delays can reduce your benefits.
- If you’re in Washington, visit esd.wa.gov/unemployment.
This safety net gives you space to make thoughtful decisions instead of rushed ones.
Step 2: Review and Negotiate Your Severance Package
- Don’t rush to sign your severance agreement.
- Read the terms carefully. Understand what you’re getting—and what you’re not.
- You may be able to negotiate more favorable terms, such as:
- Higher payout
- Extended health insurance
- Retention of unvested equity or RSUs
- Career coaching or outplacement support
- Consult an employment lawyer if needed. Many offer free consultations.
You have nothing to lose by asking—and potentially a lot to gain.
Step 3: Process Your Emotions
- Layoffs are more than a financial setback—they can feel like an identity crisis.
- It’s okay to grieve the loss of structure, purpose, or community.
- Talk to trusted friends, mentors, or even a therapist.
- Don’t suppress your emotions; acknowledge them. Then move through them.
Many people discover this season becomes a gift in disguise.
It opens doors to:
- Roles that align more deeply with your values
- Career reinvention
- Freedom from the W-2 grind
- New income streams and personal growth
This is not a dead end—it’s a redirection.
Step 4: Create a Job Search Plan
- Job hunting without a plan wastes time, drains energy, and leads to frustration.
- Define what kind of role you want—and just as importantly, what you don’t want.
- Break your search into weekly goals:
- Number of applications
- People to reach out to
- Companies to research
- Use a tracker to stay organized (TealHQ is a great tool).
Structure creates momentum. Momentum builds confidence.
Step 5: Write Down Your Work Achievements
- Reflect on what you accomplished in your last role.
- Think in terms of projects, impact, and outcomes.
- If possible, gather data and metrics now—before access is cut off.
- Ask yourself:
- What did I build, launch, improve, or save?
- What problems did I solve?
- What results did I drive?
This will become the foundation for your resume, LinkedIn, and interviews.
Step 6: Update Your Resume with Measurable Results
- Use the “XYZ format”:
- Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z].
- Tailor your resume to each role you apply for.
- Use keywords from the job description to increase your ATS (Applicant Tracking System) compatibility.
- Keep formatting clean and professional.
Your resume is not a job description. It’s a highlight reel of your value.
Step 7: Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile
- Turn on the “Open to Work” feature.
- Rewrite your headline to reflect your skills and goals (not just your past title).
- Add 2–3 key achievements to your “About” section.
- Request recommendations from managers and colleagues while the connection is still fresh.
- Post updates about your journey with honesty and clarity. Share wins, learnings, and your goals.
Your LinkedIn profile is your digital storefront. Make it reflect your real value.
Step 8: Clarify Your Target Role
- Ask yourself: Do I want to stay in the same role or try something new?
- Consider switching industries, functions, or exploring startup opportunities.
- Know that if you seek internal transfer within the same company, it could impact your severance eligibility—check the fine print.
- Research job descriptions to understand required skills and tailor your positioning accordingly.
Clarity reduces overwhelm. Decide what you want before you chase it.
Step 9: Reconnect with Your Network
- Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you—activate your network.
- Reach out to:
- Former teammates
- Managers
- Mentors
- People who admire your work
- Be specific in your outreach:
- Share the roles or companies you’re targeting
- Ask for introductions or referrals
- Let them know you’re open to freelance or contract work as well
Your next job is more likely to come from someone you know than a cold application.
Step 10: Build New Connections
- Don’t have a strong network yet? Start building one.
- Identify professionals in roles you aspire to.
- Send thoughtful, non-spammy messages.
- Ask to learn about their path—not for a job.
- Post regularly on LinkedIn to share insights, reflections, and lessons.
- Offer value: comment on posts, share feedback, analyze trends or products publicly.
You don’t need 10,000 followers. You need 10 real connections who believe in you.
Step 11: Use Free and Powerful Tools
You don’t need to do this alone—or from scratch. Use tools that give you leverage:
- TealHQ – Job tracker and resume tailoring
- Rezi.ai / Kickresume.com – AI-powered resume builders
- ChatGPT – Practice interview questions, summarize job descriptions, draft cover letters
- Blind – Join private professional forums for real talk and job leads
- Wonsulting AI – Great platform for job seekers looking for structure and visibility
Invest time into tools that work for you, not just busywork.
Step 12: Build Your Own Chapter
Layoffs don’t just open the door to jobs—they open the door to building.
Consider this a once-in-a-decade opportunity to:
- Offer consulting or freelance services
- Launch a product, tool, or micro-SaaS
- Monetize your skills through content or coaching
- Invest passively in real estate, stocks, or syndications
- Join early-stage startups and take equity
- Design a lifestyle that prioritizes freedom, not just salary
You’re more than a job title. You’re a builder—and this may be your chance to finally build something of your own.
Not Laid Off? Here’s How You Can Help
If you’re in a stable position, you have a chance to be a force multiplier for others.
Here’s how:
- Boost visibility: Like, comment on, and repost layoff updates
- Make introductions: Connect job seekers to hiring managers, recruiters, or founders
- Share freelance gigs or contract work
- Start a talent collective: Use Notion or Pallet to showcase open-to-work friends
- Sponsor growth: Pay for someone’s resume review, LinkedIn coaching, or access to job tools
It only takes one person to change someone else’s trajectory.
Final Thoughts: This Is Hard, But You’re Not Alone
Losing your job is hard. But you haven’t lost your skills, your value, or your future.
This could be your inflection point.
This could be where everything starts to shift.
If you want to talk—about job strategies, diversification, building passive income, or simply navigating the emotions—we’re here.
Reach out. Message us. We’re listening.
About Us
We’re Jo and Vin, co-founders of BricksFolios.com.
We left our corporate careers to build a new category of wealth-tech—designed to help professionals build wealth and save taxes through passive real estate investing.
We help people escape the W-2 grind, take control of their financial future, and create freedom on their own terms.
Let’s talk startups, diversification, or just real life.
We’re always happy to connect—human to human
BricksFolios
Helping ambitious professionals unlock financial freedom, one brick at a time.
→ Book your private strategy session with BricksFolios Founders, Vinod Sharma and Jo Dixit.
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