You Got Laid Off From Your First Job. Don’t Freak Out.

After four years of lectures, classes, projects, and tests you finally graduated from college and
entered the workforce, degree in hand. However, you soon discovered that finishing college was
just the start, as you began to tackle the professional world and the battle of finding your first
“real” job. But, like everything else that had come before, you did it and walked in on your first
day full of excitement, promise, and nerves. Heading to work every day became a routine, and
even though you looked forward to the weekend, your job became important to you. That new
paycheck wasn’t too bad either. Sure, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, but you were thankful
for opportunity and the chance to grow in your career.
That is, until you found yourself still in your early 20’s and one of the members of your team
being called into your boss’ office to be told that “the company isn’t doing too well” and “we’re
having to cut costs in some areas”. You quickly realize that your job is one of those areas and
before you know it, you’re packing up your things and walking out of your first job forever.
I’ve been there. Once the shock (and maybe a few tears) wears off, you might be wondering
what to do next. I sure was. It felt like I had just found this job. I’m only 24. I thought this only
happened to people much older than I was! Well, as reality checks come, no, getting laid off
doesn’t only happen to older adults far into their career, and yes, it can and does happen to
young 20-somethings everywhere and all the time. In fact, it’s happened to a few of my friends
since it happened to me. In the process of figuring it, I’ve learned a lot about what it means to be
young and laid off. The most important thing to remember? You had a job once, you’ll have one
again. Step 1: Don’t freak out.

Once you’ve taken a few deep breaths and given yourself a few days to absorb what’s
happened, it’s time for Step 2: Get back in the game. One of the most important things to
remember with a layoff is that it’s not your fault. A lot of people I know, myself included, usually
feel their layoff was somehow their doing. This type of rhetoric only leads to self-pity and self-
doubt, two things you don’t want to engage in as you start looking for a new job. Realize your
worth and get to work.

1
 Step 3: Your new full-time job is finding a full-
time job. The truth is, you should be spending the
majority of your time looking for a new role. Plus,
continuing to get up and be “at work” by 9,
working until lunch, and staying on the grind until
you’ve completed your tasks for the day helps
you stay in a routine, stay focused, and stay
motivated. It’s easy to fall into the trap of using
your newfound free time to watch Netflix or take
a nap, but from my own experience and those of
my young, unemployed peers, the stress that
comes with this is not worth it. It’ll only delay the
time it takes to find something new, and, once
you realize you really need to get a job, it’ll be
much harder to motivate yourself to get back into
a productive state of mind. Just don’t do it.
Once you’re in the habit of working your network,
sending out your updated resume, and
submitting applications, you’ll hopefully start
hearing back from different organizations for
interviews and follow up conversations. This is
where Step 4: Don’t Take the First Offer
becomes relevant. This isn’t to say that the first
offer you get for a new role isn’t the perfect fit. If it is, then by all means, take it and celebrate!
However, in the panic of being unemployed, it can seem very tempting to take the first offer that
comes along just to get back to work and to having an income. Be realistic, but don’t be
desperate. You’re young, educated, and good at what you do! Remember it. Interview for jobs
you want, not ones you feel you need, and negotiate for what you’re worth. It’s okay to pass on
a job if you know, deep down, it won’t be a good fit. You’ll be better for it in the long run and, as
the saying goes, good things come to those who wait.
Hopefully, after a few weeks you have offers in their final stages and it’s time to accept your new
job. You made it to Step 5: Accept an Offer. This is the best and easiest part of your layoff
journey, as it means it’s coming to an end. You made it through, just like you made it through
those four years of college, finding your first job post-grad, and how you’ll make it through other
job changes and life events in the future. When those things come you’ll probably once again
feel too young to be dealing with whatever it is, but as with this, you’ll make it. Remember where
you’ve been and what you’ve already overcome. Don’t freak out.