First published on LinkedIn on July 3rd, 2025 – Reprinted/reposted/reblogged here with the permission of the Author
Today, a lot of folks at Microsoft are going to find out that they’re losing their jobs. For those of you going through it, I’d like to offer a little help here.
While I can’t say I know exactly what you’re going through, I can tell you I’ve been through layoffs several times and it never gets better – but there are things you can do immediately to get yourself through it:
🗃 – Paperwork! First off, if at all possible have a lawyer review any paperwork you receive, especially severance. Additionally, file for unemployment. Most states require a week or two for processing, so the sooner you get filed the better. Depending on your severance and location, you likely won’t be receiving any payments soon, but get it filed anyway. Get it bookmarked and put a reminder on your calendar to refile each Monday moving forward.
📜 – Time to update that resume/portfolio/LinkedIn. Without going too deep in the weeds, remember that these documents are intended as introductions to prospective employers – make it easy for THEM to read it and get the information they need first. Replace objective statements with professional summaries (a quick elevator pitch of who you are, what you do, and what your biggest accomplishments have been – be specific, use numbers).
🧡 – Join supportive groups. Alumni groups, Discords, Slacks, whatever. I help run the Game Industry Coffee Chat (discord.gg/gicc) if you’d like to see what we’re about. You should also go to Amir Satvat’s community resources page (amirsatvat.com). Bottom line is that you do not have to go through this alone. A lot of experienced devs are putting in the work to help you get through this.
🔗 – Make a post here on LinkedIn explaining your layoff. Skip right to the point: you’re on the market, this is what jobs you are explicitly targeting (don’t shotgun, focus), and here are your best skills, qualities, and
Kenn White
accomplishments. When a potential hiring manager or recruiter is scouring the now THOUSANDS of similar „I was just impacted by the recent…“ posts, don’t make them go try to figure out if you’d be a good fit for a role that’s either open now or potentially coming soon. Be your own billboard.
📅 – Get settled in for a haul. Expect a 6-8 month job search if you have experience. Get your budget set up for this. Yeah, I get it – this part isn’t fun at all, but your job right now is to find a job and that means putting
Kenn Whiteyourself into the best position you can be in to look from whatever position of strength you can. It also means looking for bridge roles to tide you over for now or to look outside of the industry for now. 2025 isn’t going to let up soon. Be ready to meet that reality now, instead of months from now.
🩺 – Look to your health needs, particularly in the US your medical insurance is wrapped up in your employment. FSAs go away -spend them! Get appts scheduled NOW! Fill prescriptions ahead of time NOW!