Layoffs are the unsettling risk for all professionals and executives pursuing a corporate career. Navigating the emotional complexities and practical challenges associated with job loss is critical for career resilience and advancement. In this week's episode of The Job Hunting Podcast, I speak with Steve Jaffe, an advertising and marketing executive and author of "The Layoff Journey: From Dismissal to Discovery." Steve draws from his extensive personal experience with layoffs, offering a deep understanding of the emotional stages professionals face and providing strategies for moving forward.
The Reality of Layoffs in 2025
This year we have seen a significant rise in layoffs, surpassing previous downturns in industries like technology, media, and finance. So many high-profile companies such as Facebook, Google, Tesla, Amazon, Atlassian, and X have executed major staff reductions. Steve Jaffe emphasizes the unpredictability of layoffs, sharing his experience of having been laid off multiple times, each occasion differing in impact and context. He highlights that layoffs often have little to do with personal performance and more to do with broader economic factors.
For instance, Steve recounted his initial layoff experience during the 2001 dot-com bubble burst, illustrating how even high performers can unexpectedly lose their positions. He also shares recent examples, noting colleagues laid off twice within a single year, underscoring the pervasive instability across industries.
Understanding the Emotional Impact: The 7 Stages of Grief
Steve explains how the psychological response to layoffs closely mirrors the widely recognized stages of grief identified by Elizabeth Kübler-Ross. These include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance, reconstruction, and renewal. He stresses that these stages are neither linear nor universal, but understanding them can significantly ease the transition process.
For Steve, the stage of depression was particularly impactful, lasting longer and requiring more deliberate management. He observed that anger and bargaining are especially common, highlighting examples of professionals feeling compelled to prove their worth even after redundancy was confirmed.
Identity and Purpose Beyond Your Job Title
A significant issue discussed is the loss of identity many executives face following a layoff. Steve Jaffe highlights the importance of separating self-worth from employment status, emphasizing the necessity of developing a well-rounded personal identity that includes interests, passions, and social connections outside of work. He shared his initial struggle, feeling defined by his high-profile roles and titles, and the subsequent process of redefining himself independently of these positions.
3 Actionable Strategies for Job Seekers:
1: Recognize and Manage Emotional Responses
Firstly, acknowledge the emotional toll layoffs can take. Professionals must recognize when they're experiencing grief stages such as anger or depression, actively working to manage these emotions constructively. Practical methods include seeking support through professional coaching, peer groups, or even therapy.
2: Leverage Your Professional Network
Build and nurture your network long before you need it. Professionals should consistently engage with colleagues, mentors, and industry peers, ensuring a robust support system ready to activate when layoffs occur. Our podcast guest, Steve Jaffe, personally benefited from network support through emotional encouragement, LinkedIn recommendations, and practical job leads.
3: Approach Job Search with Resilience and Intentionality
A resilient mindset is crucial. Adopt intentionality in your job search by carefully considering whether your previous career path still aligns with your long-term goals. Layoffs provide a rare opportunity for reflection and potential realignment toward more fulfilling and purposeful roles.
Practical actions include assessing past roles for satisfaction, clearly defining future career goals, and pursuing opportunities aligned with personal values. Executives should maintain a structured job search routine, treating it as a full-time job, balanced with necessary rest periods.
Future Outlook:
Layoffs are becoming increasingly common across sectors previously considered secure, including government and healthcare. Adaptability and continuous personal branding will become essential for long-term career stability. Corporate professionals must embrace lifelong learning, proactive network building, and personal brand development to stay ahead.
To future-proof careers, professionals should actively pursue skills development, work with coaches, invest in career planning, attend industry events, and stay informed about economic trends affecting their industries. Embracing emerging technologies and adopting a growth mindset will be key differentiators for sustained career advancement.
Layoffs, though emotionally challenging and professionally disruptive, present an opportunity for significant personal growth and career recalibration. By acknowledging grief, leveraging networks effectively, and approaching career transitions intentionally, professionals can not only recover but also emerge stronger and more aligned with their core values and aspirations.
Have you been laid off? Listen to this week's episode:
- Listen to the full episode on the podcast website
- Listen on Apple Podcasts
- Listen on Spotify
- Watch on YouTube
Passion, Work, and Burnout: My Take on This Working Life
I recently shared my story on This Working Life, which is one of my favorite shows on ABC Radio National. Associate Professor Jon Jachimowicz, Director of Harvard's PassionLab, offered interesting insights about my experience and what it really means to sustain passion at work. It’s a conversation worth tuning into, especially if you’ve ever questioned whether “doing what you love” actually makes work easier.
I’ve also posted a quick poll on LinkedIn and would love your input. Have you ever turned your passion into a profession?
Time Out
- We watched the new How to Train Your Dragon movie. As a mother of two boys born in the 90s, the Cressia Cowell books were definitely a favourite, as well as the original animated movie. Hoping they can make it into a franchise.
- I'm listening to Justin Bieber's new album. It's great background music when I'm doing admin tasks or potting around the house. Everyone is obsessed with Daisies, but Devotion is my favorite.
If this newsletter helped you, please forward it to other professionals who may benefit from it. I will be forever grateful to you. They can click here to subscribe. And if you need extra help getting a job or a career plan in place, visit my website for more information about my courses and coaching, which are designed to help you achieve your career goals.
Here's to your career success
RBX
Renata Bernarde | Career Coach | Host, The Job Hunting Podcast
