# How to handle my layoff? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 15, 2025, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867 "2025-11-15T03:38:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/261 "2026-01-23T02:05:13Z")
ask them especially for tips on how to leverage your contact network … you still have a few weeks left and that seems to be your best bet. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/262 "2026-01-23T02:34:21Z")
Two weeks. Yes, we talked about how to search for companies in an area, and find connections of connections. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/263 "2026-01-23T20:28:03Z")
The consultant has provided me with a new résumé. Wow. _I’d_ hire me! ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/264 "2026-01-23T21:31:17Z")
Cool. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/265 "2026-01-23T22:47:31Z")
Le Jefa just asked me to call her. Since our Tampa data team has yet to return correctly formatted files, she asked me to stay on until March 3rd. I told her I would. (That I didn’t say is that if I get a new job before then, I’ll be gone. 😛 ) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/266 "2026-01-23T22:53:51Z")
If they end up keeping you longer, it’s time to press hard for a 20% raise. After all, how much does Tampa cost to operate, and they don’t even produce useful results? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/267 "2026-01-23T23:15:33Z")
I don’t think I can trust them anymore, so I will only stay until I find other employment. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/268 "2026-01-23T23:23:26Z")
Agree with that. But no reason not to profit from their mistakes while you can. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/269 "2026-01-24T00:00:12Z")
Glad for the extra month! ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/270 "2026-01-24T01:23:03Z")
And the extra month of health insurance! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/271 "2026-01-24T02:26:23Z")
Indeed! I’m not quite eligible for Medicare. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/272 "2026-01-24T02:28:54Z")
Would any (preemptive) health check make sense to you? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/273 "2026-01-24T02:32:14Z")
I’m getting an injection in my knee Monday afternoon, and a routine checkup in February. Both will be a couple of weeks early. Anyway, as it stands, I’ll have insurance through the end of March. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/274 "2026-01-24T02:35:34Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Anyway, as it stands, I’ll have insurance through the end of March. Can you negotiate with them for covering your COBRA for a few more months after you leave? Or until you’re eligible for Medicare? Unless, of course, you get coverage with a new job first. You’re in a good position to do that, since they need you through March. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/275 "2026-01-24T02:39:15Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Can you negotiate with them for covering your COBRA for a few more months after you leave? They’re giving me $250/month ($500 in my final pay check) for medical insurance. Of course my premium increased to $1,200/month… I did get a link for some sort of ACA thing. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/276 "2026-01-24T04:01:35Z")
Boy, that’s kind of a drop in a bucket, isn’t it. If you get an opportunity to negotiate again (say, if they ask you for another month), ask for more. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/277 "2026-01-24T15:12:20Z")
I think they pay 75% of the premiums, so I think they’re giving me the amount I pay (adjusted to the higher rates). But, yeah. It’s not enough for me to continue coverage on my own. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/278 "2026-01-26T15:59:45Z")
I’ve just applied for a Videographer position at a tool and machine manufacturer. I’m not an editor, but I could learn. I sent them my IMDb link in the application, and turned on the ‘hear of other videographer jobs in Bellingham’. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/279 "2026-01-27T12:05:54Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I’ve had my first session with Career Horizons. They’re going to tweak my résumé and my LinkedIn profile. (He didn’t have anything bad to say about my résumé; only that it’s ‘good’ and that I hit all of the points, but not ‘great’. Probably don’t need to go back to 1983, as that might trigger age discrimination.) He sent me notes on how I can put a boolean search into Indeed, and pointed me to other job sources. I’ve worked with similar groups before. They are probably fine if you’ve never updated a resume in 20 years. The one thing I would caution is that they are in the “your resume is good but not great” businesses. I’ve spoken to half a dozen resume “experts” who all had their own stamp to put on my resume with wildly different styles. But basically the main thing (same as ChatGPT) is to watch out for them putting on overly flowery bullshitty wording that sounds impressive on the surface but doesn’t really show what, if anything, you actually did. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/280 "2026-01-28T16:12:51Z")
plus: nowadays it seems to be pretty “standard” to have a “full-tilt-with-double-cheese CV”, and an AI tool that adapts your CV to the job-offering you wish to apply to. I do work (adjacent) to the HR industry, and one problem Hiring-teams are having is … - you have tons of great candidates in the first round - just to have 90% of those drop off like a stone when “scratching on the surface” … as most of their great CV is AI fluffed up and talked up aspects of your life that are not really existing… Kinadalike the Chat-gpt answer that starts with “_that is a great question_” Again, your first priority should be to reach out to people who know you professionally, rather than doing the college-senior-shotgun-approach of sending 100s of CVs out. Storytime: I (then: sales manager) had once our receptionist calling me, as a salesperson being in reception wanting to speak personally with me. I went down and saw a really sharp dressed and driven sales-guy coming over and shaking my hand, asking for an opportunity to set up a meeting in the next few days to talk about opportunities. He surely got the meeting with me a week later. (I don’t recall why I didn’t hire him, but it was more of a circumstancial thing) … but heck, who doesn’t like a driven and motivated worker, right?. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867.md?page=15)