Inflationary pressures are taking a toll on the U.S. economy and American workforce.
Many industries have begun cutting back. According to layoffs.fyi, nearly 90,000 tech jobs have been lost this year alone.
If you find yourself among the throngs of people laid off, this article can provide some much-needed resources to help you.
What To Do If You’ve Been Laid Off
But don’t despair: There are some proactive things you can do so that you can keep money in your pocket, including finding a job and generating extra cash in the meantime.
What Does Laid Off Mean?
First of all, when it happened to you, the words “laid off,” may have stunned you. I mean, who among us workers is fully able to process those words when they apply to us?
If you’ve been furloughed, it means you’re technically still employed. If you’ve been fired, you don’t qualify for some of the benefits afforded to other categories of job loss.
Also what does laid off even mean? The definition is crucial because it determines whether you’ll be able to collect benefits or not. And that leads us into the initial thing you will want to do when a layoff occurs.
1. Immediate Steps: Get Your Bearings Right Away
The first 24-48 hours are crucial. Don’t panic—focus on protecting your rights and accessing quick support.
Review Your Severance and Exit Package: Read every detail of your severance agreement. Negotiate if possible (e.g., extended health benefits). In Georgia, employers must provide your final paycheck on the next regular payday or within 72 hours if you request it in writing.
Pro Tip: If your layoff involves a group (50+ employees), Georgia’s Rapid Response program kicks in for free workshops on resumes and job readiness.
2. File For Unemployment
Go to your respective Department of Labor and file for unemployment. Your former employer may have given you some guidance on this, but it’s not hard to find.
In Georgia, the Department of Labor’s website has all you need to get started. An added bonus this year is that unemployment recipients will get an additional $600 a week until July 31 due to the CARES Act passed by Congress.
One of the requirements of those who would receive unemployment benefits is that you need to be looking for a job.
Secure Your Finances: Stretch Every Dollar
A layoff hits the wallet hard, but Atlanta has targeted aid to bridge the gap.
- Build a Survival Budget: Track essentials (rent in Midtown averages $1,800/month) and cut non-essentials. Use apps like Mint or YNAB. Aim for 3-6 months of emergency savings if you haven’t already.
- Tap into Local Financial Aid: Beyond UI, check Dislocated Worker Services through WorkSource Atlanta for training funds and low-income support. A U.S. Department of Labor Employment Recovery Dislocated Worker Grant is funding reemployment in Georgia through 2028, covering job placement and upskilling. Visit georgia.org or a local career center for eligibility.
- Explore Food and Utility Help: Atlanta’s community resources include the Atlanta Community Food Bank (for SNAP applications) and Georgia Power’s assistance programs for bills. If you’re in Fulton County, WorkSource Fulton offers free financial counseling.
| Quick Financial Checklist | Action Item | Local Resource |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Filing | Apply ASAP | dol.georgia.gov |
| Health Coverage | Enroll in COBRA | HR or healthcare.gov |
| Emergency Funds | Apply for grants | WorkSource Atlanta (worksourceatlanta.org) |
| Bill Relief | Contact providers | 211.org (dial 211) |
In fact, proof of your job search is so important to the state, that they will require you to “certify” every week. That’s why you’ll want to …
2. Launch Your Job Search
Looking for a job is more convenient these days, yet it’s still as hard as it’s ever been. You’ll want to use all means at your disposal to find a job. Here are some resources you’ll want to tap:
- Friends and Family
- Job Sites
- Social Groups (Fraternities, Sororities, etc.)
- Help Wanted Signs
- Posters
If you’re not familiar with it, LinkedIn.com is a great resources for job seekers. Here’s how to use it in your job search.
Atlanta’s job market is resilient—think Delta hubs, CNN Center gigs, and booming green energy. But competition is fierce, so leverage local hubs.
- Polish Your Toolkit: Update your LinkedIn and resume with Atlanta keywords (e.g., “supply chain logistics”). Free resume help is available at American Job Centers, like the Atlanta Career Center at 650 Northside Dr. NW.
- Hunt Smart: Use WorkSource Atlanta’s 24/7 portal (atlworks.org) for job listings, virtual workshops, and employer matches across the 10-county metro area. Target sectors like healthcare (Emory, Grady) or tech (Microsoft’s ATL campus). For dislocated workers, ARC’s Workforce Solutions offers tailored job training in counties like Fulton and DeKalb.
- Attend Local Events: Look online for job fairs and interactions with recruiters. Stay abreast of career fairs by creating a Google Alert which send you hiring opportunities in your area.
3. Secure Health Insurance
When you get laid off or lose your job another way, your former job is required to keep your health insurance for 60 days post-dismissal.
During this crucial time, you’ll want to look for health insurance so that your coverage continues.
You may qualify for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), which is employer-sponsored health insurance coverage.
Contrary to popular belief, COBRA insurance is not free. Your monthly premium will typically cost what you’ve been paying plus a 2% service fee.
4. Network
Another thing you’ll want to do is network, network, network. We mentioned checking with family and friends as well as social groups to help you find a job.
Turn this setback into a pivot. Atlanta’s ecosystem is perfect for reinvention.
- Upskill for Free: Enroll in Georgia Quick Start programs for manufacturing/tech certs, or WorkSource’s virtual career resources for soft skills like interviewing.
- Network Like a Pro: Eventbrite lists gems like the Atlanta Mentorship Breakfast or Tech and Beauty AI networking. Join Atlanta Tech Village meetups or Black Enterprise’s job forums.
- Consider Gig Work: Platforms like Upwork or local spots (TaskRabbit for ATL errands) can tide you over while you search.
You can kick things up a notch by networking online. Join Facebook groups that are job-focused. You can also join “who’s hiring” groups on LinkedIn and other sites.
The bottom line is that you may have to get out of your comfort zone. Talk about yourself, brag about your accomplishments. Some ways to do that are:
5. Start A Side Hustle
While your job search is in high gear, take advantage of the time by looking at what side jobs, projects and hustles you can do to generate income.
Do you like to paint? Maybe you can paint birdhouses or fences? Are you an artists? Perhaps you can do graphics for small businesses or individuals.
If you need some help coming up with ideas, check out our 15 Hobbies You Can Turn Into Side Hustles.
Bonus: Prioritize Your Well-Being: Mental Health Matters
Job loss can trigger stress, anxiety, or isolation—especially in a fast-paced city like ours. Seek support early.
- Access Free Counseling: Samaritan Counseling Center in Atlanta offers sliding-scale therapy (show unemployment proof for reduced rates). NAMI Georgia’s resource finder connects you to peer support groups metro-wide.
- Build a Routine: Exercise at Piedmont Park, join free yoga via Fulton County Libraries, or volunteer with Hands On Atlanta to stay connected.
- Hotlines for Tough Days: Call the Georgia Crisis & Access Line at 1-800-715-4225 (24/7) or text “HOME” to 741741 for crisis support.
Remember: Weekly UI requires three job search contacts, but self-care counts as part of your resilience toolkit.
The U.S. economy is teetering on a recession because of the coronavirus pandemic. If you’ve been laid off, here are some steps you need to take to get back to work.
The bottom line is that even though you may be idle from a working standpoint, you want to stay productive for your mind and wallet’s sake.
Don’t get down on yourself or wallow in pity. Millions of people transition from one job to the next in any given year. In fact, it’s the only way your career can grow.
Metro Atlanta’s hot economy has slowed of late, but that’s OK. There are many ways to make and save money today.
We currently have job articles that show you high-paying jobs, those close to downtown and even side hustles you might like.
If you’re looking to get hired in Atlanta right now, there’s a very real possibility that you can land your dream job.
Read more: Best work from home jobs in Atlanta, Georgia
