You’ve worked at the same company for years—maybe more than a decade—which is considered a rarity nowadays. After so long, you believed you could retire there. That is, until you're called into a meeting with HR, and they deliver the bad news: Your position is being cut, and you're laid off.
Major layoffs have become the new normal in most industries, including big tech companies. Now, federal workers are being laid off, too. While staying with the same organization for years doesn’t guarantee job security, long-time employees often expect loyalty in return—making it all the more shocking when they’re let go.
If that's your case, your head might be spinning with questions: What do you do after getting fired? How's the job market now? Where do you begin looking for a new job? Here's our best advice and tips to help you get back on your feet.
What to do after getting fired if you've been employed for a long time
When you get fired, your first instinct might be to start job hunting immediately. That might be the right move for someone with only a year or two of experience, but if you've spent a decade or more in the same role, there are other steps to take first.
File for unemployment benefits
Job searching can be a long journey—there's no guarantee you'll find a new job in the first months of being unemployed. To have some financial security while looking, immediately file for unemployment benefits with your state's unemployment insurance agency.
“The process for applying and receiving benefits is usually slow, so I would move that forward as soon as possible,” says Kaila Kea-Lewis, a career coach at The Muse. “I would also review the company’s severance policy and inquire with HR about whether you’re eligible for severance as well.”
Once your finances are in order, you'll have peace of mind to focus on your job search and negotiate offers confidently—without the pressure of accepting anything just to cover your bills.
For extra guidance, read this next: How Does Unemployment Work? What You Need to Know
Have a mental health break
The current job market is challenging and the apply-interview-apply routine can feel like a full-time job for some people. Since you're already leaving a place where you dedicated a good portion of your time, it's worth considering a mental health break.
“Every job experience leaves you with emotional baggage—even if you enjoyed your job or were really good at—and being fired adds to that,” Lewis says. “Take time and unload that emotional baggage by taking a break.”
There's no exact time frame or specific actions to take—just focus on making it as fun and relaxing as possible. “Whether it’s a week away at a resort, a local staycation, or a weekend trip to visit family, schedule time to decompress, get a change of scenery, and do something that brings you joy,” the career coach says.
Figure out what you want
If you really loved what you did in your former job and don't see yourself doing anything different, great—you can skip this step. But if you were kind of itching for a change anyway, take this opportunity to think about what you want your professional future to look like.
“Having to search for a job after many years presents challenges, but it also presents opportunities,” Lewis says. “You can pursue a new field, reinvent your professional brand, or enter a new industry. It won’t be easy, but you can absolutely do it.”
Read this next: Do You Need a Career Coach? 8 Signs The Answer is Yes
Reach out to your network
As a seasoned professional, you probably already know the importance and power of a good network—and have built one in your years of service. Now it's time to reach out to them.
“Reach out to any former coworkers or supervisors you want to use as references in your job search,” Lewis says. Not only that, but also let them know that you're looking for a new role and would welcome a recommendation or if they could direct you to any open position.
Study the current job market
Because you haven't been looking for jobs in a while, it's likely that you aren't up to date with new trends and what companies want in an employee today. Technology, specifically artificial intelligence (AI), and social-political issues are constantly reshaping the job market, especially for white collar workers—and anyone who's seeking employment today must be well prepared to stay ahead of the competition.
What do we mean by “well prepared?” Basically, get familiar with what's going on today. Lewis suggests asking yourself (and finding the answers for) these questions:
- What hiring trends do you need to be aware of?
- What are some in-demand skills employers are looking for?
- How can you update your resume to be more current so that it better highlights your skills and strengths?
One way to practice this exercise is by searching for a role on LinkedIn, or job boards like The Muse, and reading the job description and requirements. Companies often also insert a paragraph where they talk about the core values, mission, and what type of employee they are looking for. Read it to see whether your experiences, skills, and strengths match, and start planning how you would highlight that in your resume.
Read this next: How to Read a Job Description the Right Way
How to showcase your experience on a resume after years in the same job
It doesn’t matter how long you stayed at your previous job—you should still aim for a two-page resume max, Lewis says. “Clearly note each job title you’ve held at the company and the timeframes you held those roles,” she says. “For more recent roles—less than seven to 10 years old—use bullet points and be specific about what you did and how it made a difference.”
For earlier roles in your career, you don’t need to go into detail. “Abbreviate roles that are seven to 10 years old or more—include a brief two- to three-line summary of how you made an impact in that role,” Lewis says.
When it comes to other resume sections (skills, certifications, education, and summary), tailor them to the job you’re applying for. Not everything you've done will be relevant to every opportunity, and employers only want to see what matters to them. Take a few minutes to tweak your resume for each application, or keep multiple versions saved on your phone or computer to make the process easier.
What employers think about faithful employees: Is it good or bad?
While employers typically see company loyalty as a positive trait, that's not always the case.
“Generally, employers tend to see candidates who have been at the same company for a long time as reliable employees who must have been valuable members of the team,” Lewis says. “This is especially true if the candidate has held multiple roles of increasing responsibility during their time at the company.”
But staying in one place for so long could raise some concerns regarding your adaptability and ambition. “A long tenure at one company might make employers wonder whether the candidate knows how to adapt to a new work environment or if they have the ambition to go after something new,” she says.
Just be ready to address these concerns. “Be prepared to talk about why you’re ready for this change in your career and what attributes you have that can help you hit the ground running, such as adaptability, flexibility, and openness to learning,” Lewis says.
How to address staying at the same company for years in an interview
“It is totally normal to feel a bit rusty interviewing for the first time after many years,” Lewis says. That's why practicing is so important. While you wait for a callback from a recruiter, take the time to practice answers to the most common interview questions.
“Practice with a friend, career coach, or an online AI tool to polish your answers to common interview questions, including behavioral questions,” the career coach says. “Also, practice ways to show the range of your experience.” This means not limiting yourself to your most recent job and recollecting other relevant stuff you did in the past.
“Working for the same employer for many years means most of your examples will come from that one company,” Lewis says, “but consider ways to work in your volunteer experiences, leadership courses, or other professional experiences that show how much you stretched yourself during your time at that company.”
What to do if you were laid off after 50—after many years at one company
Getting laid off after 50, after many years at one company, comes with an extra set of challenges. Sadly, ageism is still present in the workplace and, if you're a woman, there's also gender bias to contend with. Lewis recommends focusing on what you can control, which is your professional development and your job search strategy.
“Unfortunately, we can’t control how other people see us or what their biases are,” she says. “What you can control is your own learning and development, the ways you expand and make use of your professional network, and the types of companies you target, like those that have a track record for hiring diverse candidates.”
You should also keep in mind that you have resources in case an employer discriminates against you based on your age. “You can report employment discrimination by filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC),” Lewis says. “Even if you decide you want to take it a step further, such as filing a lawsuit against that employer, filing the EEOC complaint is often the first step to making that happen.”
One final piece of advice: Never stop taking care of yourself and your mental health, especially during your job search. “Job searching can be very stressful and evoke feelings of self-doubt, overwhelm, or even depression—experiencing any form of discrimination on top of that can be really difficult for anyone,” Lewis says. “So, take breaks when you need to, tap into (or build) your support system, and regularly check in with yourself.”
Read this next: 10 Small Wins to Celebrate During Your Job Search
Keep moving forward
Finding a job after being laid off is not easy for most people. When you've been at the same company for many years or are over 50 years old, it can be even more challenging. You'll need to adapt to a fast-paced, precarious job market, and use every bit of persistence that exists in your body. On the other hand, it can be an opportunity to wind down and figure out what you want your life and future to look like from now on. Being patient with yourself and reaching out to people who can help is key in this process.
Get right back into the workforce with a job you love—browse open jobs on The Muse »