The First 48 Hours

• "When is my last day of employment?"
• "Will I receive severance, and what are the terms?"
• "When is my last paycheck, and will it include any accrued PTO?"
• "When do my benefits (health, dental, vision) end?"
• "Will I have access to outplacement or career transition services?"
• "What is the company's policy on references?"
• "Can I get all of this in writing?"

• Don't try to negotiate severance on the spot. You'll get a much better outcome when you've had time to review everything calmly.
• Don't make threats or mention attorneys out loud, even if you plan to talk to one later.
• Don't vent to HR or management about how unfair it is. Save that venting for a close friend tonight.

• Performance reviews and self-assessments
• Recognition emails, awards, and praise messages (screenshots work great)
• Your current resume or portfolio files saved on your work laptop
• Any personal photos or documents you stored on company drives
• Personal contacts from your work calendar or phone list
• Key project metrics that highlight your impact (sanitized of internal company data)

• Work samples for your portfolio (presentations, designs, reports), as long as they don't contain trade secrets
• Metrics showing your achievements (like "grew retention by 20%" or "cut load times by half")
• Project summaries and job descriptions so you can update your resume easily
• Recommendation letters or praise emails from teammates and managers

• Personal email addresses and phone numbers for colleagues you want to keep in touch with
• Export a backup of your LinkedIn connections (under Settings → Data Privacy → Get a copy of your data)
• Save contact info for mentors, past managers, and sponsors. These relationships will be invaluable for your next job search.

• Your official last day of employment
• Final paycheck date and what it includes (salary, accrued PTO, prorated bonus)
• Severance package details: amount, payment schedule (lump sum vs. installments), and conditions
• Benefits end date (health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, disability)
• COBRA eligibility notification (your employer is legally required to send this)

• Status of equity (stock options, RSUs): check if any unvested shares accelerate as part of severance
• Any earned but unpaid bonuses or commissions
• What happens to your 401(k) and whether company match funds are fully vested
• Accrued PTO or vacation payouts (many states require this by law)
• Company laptop and equipment return policy, along with return deadlines
• Whether the company provides outplacement services or career coaching
• The official reference policy: will they confirm employment dates only, or provide a recommendation?
• If you hold work visa / immigration sponsorship: Ask what happens to your visa status and whether the company will continue sponsorship through a transition period.

• Switch your primary email on any personal accounts that use your work address (banks, utility bills, streaming, subscriptions)
• Update two-factor authentication (2FA) to use your personal phone number or an authenticator app, and remove your work phone/email
• Update passwords if you used your work password on any personal sites
• Copy personal photos, tax forms, or personal documents off company devices
• Export personal browser bookmarks from your work laptop
• Forward any personal emails or receipts in your work inbox to your personal email

• Airline miles and hotel rewards programs linked to work email
• Conference or industry event registrations
• Professional association memberships
• Software licenses tied to a work email (personal Figma, Notion, or GitHub)
• Password managers where your work email is the recovery contact
• 2FA backup codes saved on work devices

• Release of claims: You're giving up your right to sue the company. Make sure you understand what you're waiving.
• Non-compete clause: Does it restrict where you can work next, for how long, and in what region? (Note: states like California don't enforce these).
• Non-solicitation clause: Are you prohibited from recruiting former colleagues or reaching out to clients?
• Non-disparagement clause: Are you restricted from saying negative things about the company? Check if it's mutual.
• Confidentiality clause: Are the terms of the severance package itself confidential?
• Reference provision: Does the agreement state what HR will say to future employers?
• Clawback provisions: Are there conditions where the company could demand severance money back?
• Unemployment insurance eligibility: Some severance agreements include language that could complicate your unemployment claim. Check whether the agreement characterizes your departure as a "resignation" instead of a layoff, or includes clauses requiring you to waive your right to file for unemployment benefits. You should never sign away your right to unemployment benefits.

• You suspect the layoff was discriminatory (based on age, race, gender, disability, or protected status)
• You recently filed a complaint, took FMLA leave, or reported a violation and suspect retaliation
• There's a strict non-compete that could hamper your job search
• The severance release covers complex claims and you aren't sure what you're waiving
• You were part of a mass layoff where the WARN Act might entitle you to notice or pay
• The severance payout feels unusually low for your tenure and level

• Visit your state's Department of Labor website. Every state has an online portal where you can file a claim. Search for "[your state] unemployment insurance" to find it.
• Have your documents ready: Social Security number, employment history (company names, addresses, dates), and income information (pay stubs or W-2s).
• File as early as possible. Most states let you file the same week you lose your job. Delays in filing mean delays in receiving benefits.
• Expect a waiting period. Most states have a one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits begin. The sooner you file, the sooner that clock starts.

• Receiving severance usually does NOT disqualify you. In most states, you can collect unemployment benefits even while receiving severance pay. Some states may delay benefits until severance runs out, but you should still file right away.
• Benefits vary by state. Weekly amounts range from roughly $200 to $800+, and benefit periods typically last 12 to 26 weeks. Some states offer extensions during periods of high unemployment.
• You must actively look for work. Most states require weekly certification that you are searching for a job. Keep a log of every application, networking event, and interview.
• Unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your payments, or you can set aside roughly 10 to 15% yourself to avoid a surprise tax bill.
• Don't skip filing because you think you'll find a job quickly. Even if you're confident about a lead, file now. If the lead falls through, you'll wish you had those weeks of processing behind you.

They need to know for practical and emotional reasons. Keep it straightforward: "My role was eliminated today. I'm okay, and we'll figure this out together. Here's what I know so far."

Having someone to talk to makes a huge difference. Pick a friend who's a good listener and won't immediately start throwing unsolicited advice at you.

Extended family, acquaintances, and your broader network. Wait until you've processed the news and feel ready to talk without feeling overwhelmed.

• Eat a proper meal. Your body needs energy, even if your stomach is tied in knots.
• Go easy on alcohol. It might seem like a quick fix, but it ruins your sleep and makes anxiety worse tomorrow.
• Take a short walk or stretch. Getting your body moving helps flush out stress hormones.
• Set one tiny plan for tomorrow morning (like having coffee and taking a quiet walk).
• Try to sleep. If your mind won't shut off, try a quick sleep meditation app or relaxing audio.