How to rebuild and thrive after a layoff
Layoffs are a wake-up call. The traditional promise of job security is fading, and the only way to future-proof your career is to take control.
After three layoffs, I made one decision that changed everything. The first time, I convinced myself it was bad luck.
The second time, I thought I would be safe working harder. The third time, I realised the truth: I was disposable.
It didn’t matter how much experience I had, how many late nights I put in, or how many exclusive stories I broke. When it came down to it, I was a line item on a spreadsheet.
Thousands of people at Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google learned this the hard way this year alone.
Some were called “low performers.” Others were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. I know because I have been in their position.
But let’s be clear: These layoffs have nothing to do with talent and everything to do with power. And the only way to protect yourself is to take that power back.
The brutal reality of layoffs
Layoffs are rarely about individual performance. They are strategic cost-cutting measures disguised as restructuring. Corporate executives will package it as a “necessary reset,” a “difficult decision,” or a way to “optimise for future growth.”
The truth? They are optimising for shareholder value at the expense of workers.
The numbers tell the real story. In 2024, the tech industry faced substantial layoffs, with estimates ranging between 140,000 and 260,000 job losses. Reports from various sources presented different figures, reflecting the sector's ongoing volatility.
According to Layoffs.fyi, more than 141,467 employees were laid off across 476 companies, while TrueUp.io placed the number significantly higher at 260,423 layoffs across over 380 tech firms. Other reports indicated that anywhere from 150,000 to 151,484 workers were affected, with layoffs between 539 and 619 companies.
These cuts often came after record-breaking profits and aggressive hiring sprees during the pandemic. Companies overhired and overestimated growth, and now workers are paying the price.
No matter how indispensable you think you are, you are replaceable in the eyes of a corporation. Accept that. And then decide what you’re going to do about it.
Taking control of your career
After my third layoff, I stopped looking for job security. I started building career resilience instead. Here’s the framework I followed:
1. Build an independent platform
Proper job security requires having an audience and a reputation beyond a single employer. Whether it’s LinkedIn, Substack, YouTube, or a podcast, you need a place where your work lives beyond a paycheck.
Three months ago, I launched Human Algorithm on Substack. This month, I made my first $1,000 from writing. Not because I had a safety net but because I stopped waiting for permission.
2. Diversify your income streams
The people who thrive post-layoff aren’t the ones scrambling for another full-time job. They are the ones who have options.
Fractional consulting, contract work, affiliate revenue, and online courses are not just side hustles. They are insurance policies against corporate volatility.
I took on freelance editorial consulting while growing my newsletter when I was laid off. That decision gave me leverage and choice.
3. Master the art of storytelling
You can either be a commodity or a category of one. The difference? How would you tell your story?
Too many talented professionals fade into the background because they don’t know how to articulate their unique value. If you’re in between jobs, your full-time role is now the chief storyteller of your career.
Rewrite your LinkedIn. Post content consistently. Share your insights. Make yourself impossible to ignore.
The rise of layoffs isn’t just a tech sector problem—it’s a global shift in how companies think about talent. The traditional model of long-term employment is breaking down, and in its place, a new paradigm is emerging.
One of the most significant shifts is the rise of the fractional workforce. Senior executives, once tethered to single companies, are now choosing high-impact consulting roles over traditional employment.
Platforms like Deel and Remote accelerate this trend, allowing businesses to tap into specialised expertise without committing to full-time hires. The result? Many professionals are diversifying their income streams and no longer relying on a single employer.
At the same time, the content economy is fueling a wave of solopreneurs. Individuals monetise their knowledge through newsletters, courses, and personal brands, effectively rewriting the employer-employee dynamic.
Traditional job security is being replaced by audience-driven security; those who build their platforms are no longer at the mercy of hiring cycles.
Meanwhile, AI and automation are accelerating workforce reductions. Jobs involving repetitive tasks are increasingly at risk. The safest bet is to become someone who leverages AI rather than competes with it. The professionals who thrive in this new era will be those who integrate AI into their workflows, making themselves indispensable rather than replaceable.
The workforce is evolving, and the professionals who recognise this shift early will have the most significant advantage, whether you will be ahead of change or caught in its wake.
Your career as a business
Here’s the reality: traditional employment is no longer the safest path. The most future-proof professionals are treating their careers like a businesses.
Your job is not your career, and your employer is not your identity. Even if you don't run a company, you need to operate with a founder's mindset.
That means:
Owning your distribution: Your LinkedIn, newsletter, or podcast is your media company.
Monetising your expertise: Consulting, speaking, courses, or cohort-based programs.
Positioning yourself as an authority: Thought leadership is not optional as it’s a competitive advantage.
Take the power back
If you’ve been laid off, let me be clear: you are not broken. You are not worthless. You are not starting from zero.
You are free to build something no employer can take away from you.
Three months ago, I launched Human Algorithm on Substack. This month, I made my first $1,000. Not because I had a safety net but because I took control of my own narrative.
If I could do it, you could do it.
The only question is: Will you wait for permission, or will you take the power back?
On Monday, I opened up a free consultation offer for those who want to build their brand through authenticity and vulnerability. By the end of the day, my inbox exploded, and all offers were taken.
So, I’m opening a waitlist.
If you’re job-hunting, consulting, or starting a new venture, I will show you how to use storytelling to stand out. You will also get my storytelling ebook for free.
To get on the waitlist, subscribe to Human Algorithm for free.