[sharemywin]

I wouldn't wait. It's a lot easier to get another job when you have one. When new HR person asks why say looking for better opportunities to expand my skills...don't bad mouth company or puke company drama. Plus if you have stuff in the pipeline you are that much closer to finding something.

[jerf]

"I'm in the news industry." and a bit of a resigned shrug with knowing grin is an adequate explanation. It also, IMHO, makes you look like a responsible person who takes charge when you try to line something up in advance of getting forced out the door.

[404error]

It's not in me to bad mouth anyone anyway. I will definitely start looking A.S.A.P. I'm lucky because the layoff news isn't going to be disclosed for another couple of weeks so this gives me time to start the job hunt.

[toomuchtodo]

If you don't have a severance package, I'd immediately investigate unemployment benefits. If you have a health savings account, it can be used to pay for insurance premiums if you're collecting unemployment. Also, compare the COBRA your employer will offer to health insurance you can get on the healthcare.gov marketplace with subsidies (since you won't have income at that point).

Check out https://www.reddit.com/r/hiring for possible gigs.

[eli]

Obviously you want to get a new position ASAP but I don't think it's a big deal to have to disclose you were laid off so don't freak out if you can't make something happen in a few short weeks. I don't hold layoffs against applicants, especially when they're coming from an industry like print media that has very well known macro-level problems.