“Hey Dilip, Sorry buddy. The company had to make some difficult decisions and we are letting go off some of our good employees. And unfortunately you are one of them”.

That was a conversation I had with my skip level manager one fine day.

A normal day just became a “not so normal” day for me.

Losing a job can feel like the ground beneath you has suddenly given way.

When I was laid off after 17 years of loyalty, dedication, and countless late nights, I felt bad. But I wasn’t as stunned as a lot of the others would be.

Why?

I will discuss that a little later.

But, it was a call I’ll never forget.

A “brief conversation” about how the company was trying to maneuver the difficult times and my role had been deemed redundant.

This after the company had made a profit that was x% better than the previous year.

The years of hard work, the weekends spent meeting deadlines, and the loyalty I had shown were distilled into a cold, impersonal announcement.

That is the value that a company attaches to one of its employees.

If you happen to face such a situation, what would you do.

Let’s talk about what to do next and how to turn this moment into an opportunity.

First Reaction in Job Layoffs: Shock, Anger, and Acceptance

In the immediate aftermath of job layoffs, it’s natural to feel shocked, maybe even betrayed.

You’ve invested time, effort, and perhaps even your identity into your role.

But don’t let that emotional cocktail of anger and disappointment make you feel stuck.

The first thing to remember: this layoff doesn’t define your worth.

Companies make decisions based on profits, market trends, or strategic changes—not because of who you are as a professional.

Accepting this reality is the first step toward regaining control.

Take a few days to process your feelings, talk to family or friends, and remind yourself that while this chapter may have ended, a new one can begin.

Handling the Situation Like a Pro

While it’s tough, handling the job layoff professionally will help your career in the long run.

• Ask for a Positive Reference: If you had a good working relationship with your manager, ask if they’d be willing to provide a recommendation. A strong reference can be invaluable, especially if your layoff was due to restructuring and not performance issues.
• Negotiate Severance and Benefits: Many people don’t realize they can negotiate severance packages or extended health benefits, so don’t hesitate to ask. If you were in your role for a significant period, use that tenure as leverage to negotiate a better exit package.
• Get Your Finances in Order: Make a budget and assess your finances. Having a clear picture of your finances will help relieve stress and guide your job search or next steps.

Taking these practical steps immediately helps you keep a proactive mindset and positions you for a successful transition.

The Bigger Picture: Layoffs Are Part of the New Reality

In recent years, thousands of professionals across industries have been through layoffs.

According to recent reports, over 150,000 tech workers were laid off in 2023 alone, a number that has continued to rise as companies respond to economic changes, shifting priorities, and technological advancements.

Tech giants like Meta, Amazon, and Google made headlines for letting go of large groups of their workforce. This trend reminds us that no industry is entirely secure, no matter how high we’ve climbed.

These statistics show us two things:

1. Layoffs are not personal: It’s a reflection of the shifting market and company strategies, not individual performance.
2. Having multiple income streams is critical: We can’t rely on a single paycheck forever.

This brings us to an essential lesson from today’s corporate landscape—the importance of a side hustle.

Why You Should Start a Side Hustle?

A little while ago, I spoke about the fact that I was not as impacted as a lot of the others, when I was told that I am laid off..

The reason was this.

I had been building my side hustle for some time and had built it out into a full time income source by the time I was let go off by my company.

A side hustle isn’t just an extra income stream.

It’s a way to protect your future, develop new skills, and even explore passions you may not get to express in your primary role.

Here’s why a side hustle is invaluable:

• Builds Financial Resilience: A second source of income means that even if your primary role is impacted, you’ll have another stream to support you. It acts as a financial cushion in times of uncertainty.
• Allows You to Explore New Interests: Use this time to explore interests outside of your main job. A side hustle can be something as diverse as consulting, freelancing, teaching, or even starting a small business.
• Helps You Grow Professionally: Skills like marketing, finance, or customer service are often part of running a side business, adding to your toolkit and making you more resilient and versatile.
• Prepares You for Independence: Having a side hustle gives you a taste of entrepreneurial life and may even lead to a full-time venture down the road.

I started a side hustle years ago, which gave me confidence and stability when my job was unexpectedly cut. Having that extra stream of income helped me feel less shaken when the news hit. Now, I’m grateful for that decision every day.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Change

Losing a job doesn’t mean you’ve lost your career.

It means you have an opportunity to pivot, learn, and even pursue paths you hadn’t considered before.

Start small, with manageable actions like organizing your finances and updating your resume, then begin exploring roles that align with your career goals—or build something of your own.

Layoffs are more common than ever, but resilience and adaptability are what will set you apart. Use this time to reinvest in yourself, explore new avenues, and build a future that isn’t reliant on a single source of income.

When one door closes, remember, you have the power to build another.