The Layoff Recovery Playbook

You Didn't Lose Your Value. You Lost a Job.

A layoff hits fast, and the advice that follows usually arrives even faster — "just stay positive," "everything happens for a reason," "time to hustle." None of it tells you what to actually do in the first confusing days, weeks, and months.

The Layoff Recovery Playbook is a 10-page guide built in the order a layoff actually unfolds: stabilize first, process second, move forward third. No forced positivity, no vague pep talks — just the practical steps, the emotional permission, and the language you need at each stage.

What's Inside

• The First 72 Hours — what to actually do (and not sign) right after the news, plus the severance questions that matter most
• The Financial Triage — a runway calculator so you know your real number, and a clear checklist for unemployment, COBRA, and the decisions that can wait
• The Emotional Reset — naming what you actually lost, reframing "laid off" away from "failed," and permission to feel it before you have to perform "fine" for anyone
• The Story — a 30-second layoff story template, an interview answer that doesn't sound defensive, and an optional LinkedIn announcement
• The Comeback Plan — a daily structure to replace the one your job used to give you, and a runway-based framework for what to do next
• Getting Back Out There — a warm network restart script and a First 7 Days action plan

Also Included

• 🖨️ A fillable companion PDF — real interactive checkboxes and fields for the Severance Checklist, Runway Calculator, and First 7 Days Checklist, so you can fill them in directly on your screen

This Is for You If:

• You're a few days out from a layoff and don't know where to start
• You're financially anxious and just want a clear number, not more guessing
• You're dreading the "why did you leave your last job" question

Where This Leads

Once you've stabilized and processed, this playbook hands you off to exactly the right next step — whether that's getting clear on direction, or getting straight back into a job search.

Part of the DrivePath Methodology™ — Neo Consulting Group's step-by-step approach to a smarter job search.