Laid Off? Your 30-Day Job Search Action Plan (Day-by-Day Guide)

Laid Off? Your 30-Day Job Search Action Plan

You've just been laid off. The shock, the uncertainty, the "what now?"—it's overwhelming.

But here's the truth: What you do in the next 30 days will determine how quickly you land your next role.

This isn't a pep talk. It's a day-by-day action plan based on what actually works.

Before We Start: The Mindset Shift

Stop: Doom scrolling, beating yourself up, waiting for the "right time"
Start: Taking action, building momentum, treating this like your job

Your new full-time job is finding your next job. Treat it that way.

WEEK 1: Foundation (Days 1-7)

Day 1: Process and Prepare

Morning:

• Allow yourself to feel whatever you're feeling


• Review your severance package in detail


• Check your health insurance situation (COBRA, marketplace options)

• File for unemployment if applicable


• Make a list of everything you accomplished at your last job


• Start a job search folder on your computer

• Tell your immediate family/close friends


• Go for a walk or do something physical


• Get a good night's sleep

Day 2: Resume Overhaul

Morning:

• Pull up your current resume


• Write down your top 10 achievements from your last role (with numbers)


• Research job postings in your target field

• Rewrite your resume with updated achievements


• Run it through CVCraft for ATS scoring


• Create 2-3 versions for different role types

• Have someone review your resume


• Make final revisions


• Save in multiple formats (.docx and .pdf)

Day 3: LinkedIn Optimization

Morning:

• Update your headline (consider "Open to Work")


• Rewrite your summary/About section


• Update your current position

• Add your latest achievements


• Update your Skills section


• Request 3-5 recommendations from former colleagues

• Turn on "Open to Work" settings (visible to recruiters)


• Connect with 10 people from your previous company


• Join 3 industry groups

Day 4: Build Your Target List

Morning:

• Identify 3-5 industries you'd work in


• Research companies in those industries


• Create a spreadsheet with 50 target companies

• Research each company's culture and recent news


• Identify potential roles at each company


• Find decision-makers on LinkedIn

• Prioritize your list (dream companies, realistic, backup)


• Save job search alerts for target companies


• Set up Google alerts for target companies

Day 5: Activate Your Network

Morning:

• List everyone in your professional network (aim for 100+)


• Categorize by: close contacts, loose connections, dream connections


• Draft a "I'm looking" message template

• Send personalized messages to your 20 closest professional contacts


• Post a thoughtful LinkedIn update about your transition


• Ask 5 people for informational interviews

• Follow up with anyone who's responded


• Schedule calls for next week


• Join a job seekers community (LinkedIn groups, Discord, etc.)

Day 6: Set Up Your System

Morning:

• Create a job tracking spreadsheet (company, role, date applied, status, contacts)


• Set up a dedicated email folder for job search


• Install job search apps (LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor)

• Create cover letter templates for different role types


• Set up calendar blocks for daily job search activities


• Prepare your "tell me about yourself" story

• Review job postings that interest you (don't apply yet)


• Research salary ranges for target roles


• Plan next week's schedule

Day 7: Rest and Reflect

Morning:

• Review everything you've accomplished this week


• Identify any gaps in your preparation


• Light job search activity only

• Do something you enjoy (job search is a marathon)


• Exercise or physical activity


• Connect with friends/family

• Prep for Week 2


• Review networking conversations scheduled


• Get good sleep

WEEK 2: Active Outreach (Days 8-14)

Day 8: Start Strategic Applications

Morning:

• Review your target company list


• Find 5 jobs that match your skills well


• Read each job description carefully

• Customize your resume for each application


• Write tailored cover letters


• Submit applications through multiple channels (LinkedIn + company site)

• Track all applications in your spreadsheet


• Identify potential referrals at each company


• Follow up on networking messages

Day 9: Network Deep Dive

Morning:

• Conduct 2 informational interviews (calls/video)


• Take detailed notes on insights shared


• Ask for additional introductions

• Send follow-up thank you messages


• Apply to 3-5 more targeted positions


• Research companies mentioned in conversations

• Connect with 10 new people on LinkedIn


• Engage with 5 posts in your industry


• Update your tracking spreadsheet

Day 10: Expand Your Reach

Morning:

• Research recruiters in your industry


• Connect with 10 recruiters on LinkedIn


• Update your Indeed and Glassdoor profiles

• Apply to 5 positions from job boards


• Reach out to 3 previous colleagues for referrals


• Post valuable content on LinkedIn

• Follow up on outstanding applications


• Research interview tips for target companies


• Prep for any scheduled calls

Days 11-14: Build Momentum

Daily routine:

• Morning (2 hours): Apply to 3-5 targeted positions


• Midday (2 hours): Networking outreach and follow-ups


• Afternoon (2 hours): Research, learning, skill building


• Evening (1 hour): LinkedIn engagement, tracking updates

• 15-20 quality applications


• 5+ networking conversations


• 3+ recruiter connections


• Daily LinkedIn engagement

WEEK 3: Acceleration (Days 15-21)

Days 15-17: Interview Preparation

If you're getting callbacks:

• Research each company extensively


• Prepare for common interview questions


• Practice your layoff explanation


• Prepare thoughtful questions to ask


• Plan your interview outfit

• Review and improve your resume


• Get feedback from a career coach or mentor


• Reassess your target roles


• Consider expanding your search criteria

Days 18-21: Double Down

Daily focus:

• Continue application momentum (3-5/day)


• Increase networking outreach (5+ messages/day)


• Practice interviewing (record yourself)


• Research target companies deeply

• Applications sent


• Response rate


• Interview requests


• Networking conversations

WEEK 4: Close the Deal (Days 22-30)

Days 22-25: Interview Mode

Before each interview:

• Research the company, interviewers, recent news


• Review the job description line by line


• Prepare STAR stories for each requirement


• Prepare 5+ thoughtful questions


• Test your tech setup (for virtual interviews)

• Send thank you notes within 24 hours


• Follow up with additional contacts made


• Reflect on what went well and what to improve


• Continue applying (never stop until you have an offer)

Days 26-28: Follow-Up Frenzy

• Follow up on all outstanding applications


• Circle back to networking contacts


• Re-engage with promising conversations


• Continue daily application routine

Days 29-30: Assess and Adjust

Review your 30-day metrics:

• Total applications submitted


• Response rate percentage


• Interviews scheduled


• Networking conversations had

• Negotiate thoughtfully


• Get everything in writing


• Give appropriate notice if needed

• Analyze what's working and what isn't


• Adjust your strategy based on data


• Continue with renewed focus

Daily Success Habits

Every single day:

The Metrics That Matter

Track these weekly:

• Applications submitted: Target 15-25


• Response rate: Benchmark 10-20%


• Phone screens: Target 3-5


• Interviews: Target 1-3


• Networking conversations: Target 5+

• Resume needs work


• Targeting wrong roles


• Application materials not customized

Tools You Need

Essential:

• CVCraft (ATS optimization)


• LinkedIn (networking and applications)


• Google Sheets (tracking)


• Calendar app (scheduling)

• Indeed, Glassdoor, LinkedIn Jobs


• Calendly (for scheduling calls)


• Notion or Trello (organization)

Stay Mentally Strong

Job searching is hard. Here's how to stay healthy:

You've Got This

Thirty days from now, you could have multiple offers on the table—or at minimum, a strong pipeline and clear path forward.

The job seekers who succeed:

• Treat job search as their job


• Track everything


• Network relentlessly


• Stay positive through rejection


• Never stop until they succeed

Ready to begin? Use CVCraft to optimize your resume and start Day 2 with confidence.