From Layoff to Launch: Navigating Career Transitions in Tech

Since 2022, Silicon Valley and the wider tech industry have seen a surge in layoffs. In 2022 alone, tech firms cut around 164,700 jobs, and in 2023 that number jumped to about 262,700. For many people, losing a job is not just about the paycheck. It can feel like losing a sense of purpose, routine, and direction.

In my work with tech professionals, I often see that a layoff comes after a period of stress. Many of my clients were already worried about the job climate, dealing with high performance expectations, or competing internally. When the layoff happens, it can feel overwhelming and confusing.

You’re Not Alone

It’s normal to feel a mix of emotions — shock, anger, sadness, or self-doubt. Many people I work with experience relief that a stressful role has ended, mixed with anxiety about what comes next. This is a natural part of processing a career transition, and it’s important to give yourself space to feel it.

1. Taking Time to Reflect on Your Previous Role

Before moving forward, it helps to pause and think about your last role. I guide my clients to explore questions like:

• Which projects or tasks energized them and which drained them

• What strengths they brought to the table consistently

• How their work aligned with their long-term goals

One client I worked with, after being laid off from a mid-sized tech company, realized that the projects that stressed them the most were actually ones that didn’t align with their strengths or values. Once they saw this, it helped them focus their next applications on roles that felt energizing instead of draining.

This reflection helps turn a challenging experience into useful insights for the next step. It can also help make future job applications and interviews feel more focused and authentic.

2. Processing the Situation

Everyone processes a layoff differently, and that is okay. Some clients need to move quickly, especially if severance is limited. Others need more time to accept the situation and regain their footing. I support clients in:

• Acknowledging the emotions that come with a layoff

• Setting a realistic timeline for next steps based on finances and personal needs

• Rebuilding confidence so they can take action from a grounded place

For example, one client took two weeks to fully process their layoff before even updating their resume. During that time, we focused on rebuilding confidence and setting a realistic job search plan. By the time they started applying, they felt grounded and ready to take action.

3. Taking Action Even When It Feels Hard

Applying to jobs after a layoff can feel stressful or even discouraging. I work with clients to break the process into manageable steps. We focus on:

• Updating resumes and LinkedIn profiles using insights from their reflection

• Applying to a few roles at a time so it doesn’t feel overwhelming

• Preparing for interviews by highlighting strengths and achievements rather than focusing on the layoff

One client started by applying to just three roles in the first week. It felt small, but by breaking the process into steps, they regained momentum and confidence, and soon were applying more broadly with clarity and focus.

Even small steps forward help build momentum and confidence.

4. Turning the Transition into an Opportunity through Career Coaching

A layoff can feel like a pause, but it can also be a chance to rethink career direction. Many of my clients discover:

• What kinds of work energize them most

• Roles and companies that fit their values

• A renewed confidence in their ability to navigate change

With support, what starts as a setback can become a turning point.

Next Steps You Can Take Today

• Reflect on your last role and identify what energized you and what drained you

• Explore your purpose and values, and redefine what success means for you

• Gain clarity on the types of roles you want to pursue next

• Consider hiring a professional resume writer to polish your application materials

• Continue working with a career coach to build confidence, stay focused, and move forward with momentum

  
  

Being laid off is hard and can shake your confidence, but it doesn’t have to define your next chapter. With guidance, reflection, and step-by-step action, you can create a career that feels meaningful and aligned with your strengths. You are not alone. :)

If you are navigating a layoff or career transition, I can help you process the situation, rebuild confidence, and take clear, manageable steps forward. Book a free consultation here https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ2sTMlXeSo85gY-F2b5iUe4FqXojzDL8wf8oHzKATv4LSu9UjtXtnQnM9xPjgXfrHeSNY9SV6k6 and start shaping your next chapter with purpose.

Ai Sakura (Aimee), PCC, ACPEC

Professional Career Coach

*I strive to be the most present and compassionate coach⭐️