Ask HN: How to Deal with Layoff?

[maheshs]

Layoff is difficult. I want to know from people who gone through it.

- How they deal with it on daily basis and keep their motivation up?

- What actions they have taken? What works and what didn't?

- Any suggestions?

[gregjor]

There’s nothing to deal with as far as the layoff goes. Job ends, you move on. It’s not personal, don’t take it that way. Sucks but not worth dwelling on. No use crying over spilled milk.

If you think you might get laid off start looking for another job — much easier to land a job while you have one.

[codingdave]

If it comes with severance, I celebrate it - relax, clear my mind of the old chapter, think about what to do next, and simply enjoy some down time.

Your career will have multiple chapters. Sometimes you control when pages get turned, sometimes you do not. But don't hold too tightly to any of it, and don't let it define who you are. When change comes... live the rest of your life and look for something new to begin.

[bediger4000]

Take some time between jobs if you can. Severance packages help. Do a little day drinking.

But don't take too much time. Say yes to every interview you can, to practice and to give yourself some low stakes opportunities to screw up. It takes a while to get used to the stupid recruitment processes.

[xenospn]

Shit happens. Don’t dwell - imagine you’re a character in a video game and you just need to reach your next milestone. It also helps to have a significant buffer so losing your source of income isn’t a complete shock.