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SEPARATION PROTOCOL — INITIATED

The Job Loss Checklist

Recently terminated from your job? Well, you've got work to do. It's not office work though. You can take a break from that for a while.

You should be busy with the tasks that arise as a result of your recent... "employment status change." Below is a checklist of action items to consider after you've been let go.

1

File for Unemployment

Don't be ashamed. You paid into unemployment insurance and are entitled to the benefit while you work on getting your next paying gig. File as soon as possible — there's often a waiting period before payments start, and delays in filing just push that timeline out further.

2

Make Sure You Have Health Insurance

If your job provided health insurance, most employers are required to offer a plan to continue your coverage under COBRA. These are often more expensive than what you paid as an employee, but they keep you covered while you figure out next steps.

You can also check out the government's health insurance offerings at healthcare.gov. Losing your job qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period — so don't wait.

3

Roll Over Your 401(k)

Hopefully you invested in your company's 401(k). Investigate your options, but you're often better off rolling it into a brokerage retirement account (like a Traditional IRA) where you'll have more control over your investment choices and can cut back on high fees.

Tip: Don't cash out your 401(k) — you'll get hit with taxes and early withdrawal penalties. Roll it over instead. Your future self will thank you.

4

Consider If You Were Wrongfully Terminated

Wrongful terminations do happen. If you think you might have a case against your former employer, do some research before you sign anything. Here are a couple of relevant posts from attorneys:

5

Budget Immediately

Your income has been cut off — or decreased to whatever unemployment provides. Time to take an honest look at your spending. Cut subscriptions you don't use, pause anything non-essential, and figure out your runway. How many months can you sustain your current lifestyle without income?

6

Consider Building Your Own Income

If things are looking less than fantastic on the traditional job front, consider other options. For many people, the decision to start freelancing and earning money independent of an employer is a pivotal moment where they take control of their lives.

Even if you love working at a traditional job, supplemental income you generate on your own is a game-changer. A blog, freelance consulting, digital products, or an AI-powered side project — the barriers to entry have never been lower.

7

Travel (Seriously)

There's often no better time in life to travel than the space between jobs. It's not easy when you're unsure about future income, but I guarantee you — once you're back on that payroll, you'll wish you did more with your time and freedom while you had it.

Your dollars go 3–5x further in places like Southeast Asia. A month in Thailand or Taiwan can cost less than a month of rent in most US cities.

8

Invest in Yourself

Watch Office Space. Read some books. Take an online course. Brush up on marketable skills. Learn a new tool. The time you have right now is a resource — don't waste it doom-scrolling LinkedIn job posts.

9

Tell Your Story

If you've recently lost your job — especially in the latest rounds of tech layoffs — and want to share your story, I'd love to hear from you. You can include your job skills and links for work availability.

Send me an email and let's talk about getting your story out there.

REMEMBER

Getting fired feels like the end of something. It is. But it's also the beginning of everything else. The cubicle called — and you don't have to answer.

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