The volatile environment in 2025 means worries about layoffs, even if the actual layoffs haven't reached you yet. Learn to recognize early warning signs, prepare for transitions, and safeguard your career.
Understanding Layoff Warning Signs
Professional success requires both skill and strategic awareness. During times of organizational change, understanding how to read and respond to workplace signals helps you stay empowered rather than overwhelmed. Navigate uncertainty and make informed career decisions with our curated resources. Learn to identify key workplace indicators and discover proven strategies for career resilience.
Podcasts for Spotting Early Signs
Layoff Signs and What To Do About Them
Listen to this podcast to:
- Recognize the early warning signs of layoffs in your company or industry
- Understand what different signals like hiring freezes, cost-cutting, and organizational changes really mean
- Get a practical, step-by-step action plan to prepare yourself professionally and financially
- Learn how to protect your career while maintaining your professional performance
Stay confident and in control by being prepared, not paranoid.
Strategic Thinking and Layoffs
Listen to this podcast to:
- Learn how to think strategically about your organization by scanning your environment
- Understand the subtle signs across company, industry, and departmental activities
- Identify key indicators like HR activity, management behavior, and financial trends
- Develop the strategic mindset that characterizes top managers
Get the big-picture perspective that helps you stay ahead of organizational changes.
Is My Company Going To Make Layoffs? Ask Your Network
Listen to this podcast to:
- Learn how to tactfully gather information about potential layoffs without spreading anxiety
- Master strategic conversations that reveal business health indicators
- Leverage internal, vendor, and industry contacts for early warning signs
- Build relationships that provide natural intelligence channels
- Maintain professional ethics while staying informed about company changes
Get early insights while building valuable professional relationships.
How To Read The Wall Street Journal
Listen to this podcast to:
- Learn how to monitor key business news sections that signal company and industry health
- Understand how to interpret both immediate and long-term trends affecting your sector
- Develop efficient reading strategies to stay informed about economic conditions
- Get the external perspective on your company that investors and stakeholders see
Stay informed and empowered with strategic business intelligence gathering.
How To Assess Your Network
Listen to this podcast to:
- Learn how to create a visual map that shows the true strength of your network
- Measure both the quantity and quality of your professional relationships
- Identify gaps in your network across 8 key dimensions, including internal, external, and industry connections
- Get a clear action plan for strengthening relationships where they matter most
Know exactly where to focus your networking efforts before you need them.
Even More Help
Didn’t find what you were looking for? Check out these topics:
Still need help? Email us, and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Next Level Support
Our podcasts offer advice at no cost. To unlock personalized support to fast-track your next career move purchase a Manager Tools license. You'll get expert resume reviews, direct access to our experienced staff, and connections to our established professional community. Plus, gain immediate access to our proven Resume Workbook and comprehensive Interview Series – tools that have helped thousands land their ideal roles.
Learn More About Manager Tools LicensesFrequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if changes are warning signs?
Look for multiple changes across different areas, especially in financial indicators and organizational behavior. Our checklist provides a systematic framework.
What if I notice multiple signs?
Start with discrete preparation steps: update your resume, document achievements, maintain relationships. Our podcasts guide you through this process.
How do I prepare professionally?
Focus on normal career management: regular resume updates, network maintenance, and achievement documentation position you well for any scenario - skip to the “Preparation Tab” to find out more.
Being Prepared
When you see the signs of layoffs on the horizon, it's time to take action. We recommend these actions not ony because they're setting you up to make a transition if you have to, but also because action is the antidote to worry.
Podcasts for Layoff Preparation
Systemic Career Documentation
Listen to this podcast to:
- Learn how to create a Career Management Document (CMD) that captures your entire work history
- Set up a simple monthly system to track accomplishments as they happen
- Turn your CMD into targeted resumes quickly when opportunities arise
- Stop struggling to remember achievements under pressure
Document your value consistently so you can showcase it effectively when needed.
The Career Management File
Listen to this podcast to:
- Create a complete set of job search documents beyond just your resume
- Build template paragraphs that make applications faster and more effective
- Gather all necessary documentation before you need it
- Save time during your search by preparing information sheets in advance
- Stop scrambling for details when opportunities arise
Be ready to move quickly when the right opportunity presents itself.
Finances Rule
Listen to this podcast to:
- Understand why financial preparation is the single most important layoff defense
- Build 6 months of liquidity while you're still employed
- Avoid common mistakes that force hasty job decisions
- Set up financial buffers that give you negotiating power
- Make career choices based on opportunity, not necessity
Position yourself to make strategic decisions rather than desperate moves.
Staying in Touch
Listen to this podcast to:
- Learn why maintaining your network is as crucial as getting results
- Implement a quarterly contact system that keeps relationships warm
- Master different contact methods to maximize relationship impact
- Create an effective system for tracking your network communications
- Use natural opportunities and events to reconnect meaningfully
Build a strong, reliable network before you need it.
The Most Important Relationship In A Downturn
Listen to this podcast to:
- Strategically select which of your boss's peers to build relationships with
- Create meaningful connections that can help protect your position during downturns
- Master professional networking techniques across organizational boundaries
- Learn how to deliver exceptional value to key stakeholders
- Build influence through effective communication and reliability
Develop relationships that matter when decisions matter most.
Even More Help
Didn't find what you were looking for? Check out these topics:
- Career Planning
- Staying Up To Date With Current Events
- Your Network
- Personal Finances
- Dealing With Downturns
Still need help? Email us, and we'll point you in the right direction.
Next Level Support
Our podcasts offer advice at no cost. To unlock personalized support to fast-track your next career move purchase a Manager Tools license. You'll get expert resume reviews, direct access to our experienced staff, and connections to our established professional community. Plus, gain immediate access to our proven Resume Workbook and comprehensive Interview Series – tools that have helped thousands land their ideal roles.
Learn More About Manager Tools LicensesFrequently Asked Questions
I didn't track my results - how do I create my resume?
A strong resume has quantified results. If you haven't been tracking, use the guidance in this podcast: Help! I Didn't Track My Results.
What can I do to make sure that my resume is found when a hiring manager is searching?
A simple resume with quantified accomplishments is the best approach. "Tricks" don't help. Listen to this podcast to learn more: Resume Myths and Why They Don't Help.
How do I prepare my resume?
Your resume should be professionally simple and focused on strong, quantified achievements. Learn more in this podcast: Resume Basics.
If Layoffs Happen
Hearing that layoffs are on the horizon can trigger a wave of uncertainty and anxiety. Whether the news comes through official channels or office rumors, knowing how to respond calmly and strategically can make a significant difference. The steps you take in the early stages can help you protect your position, prepare for potential changes, and stay focused on productive action.
Podcasts for Taking Immediate Action
Career Crisis Response: Emergency Action Plan
Listen to this podcast to:
- Take immediate, effective action in the first 24 hours after a layoff
- Create an emergency-ready resume when time is critical
- Identify and activate every possible network connection
- Make strategic financial decisions to extend your runway
- Transform crisis into opportunity through resourceful problem-solving
Navigate sudden career transitions with clarity and decisive action.
Effective Layoff Announcement Response
Listen to this podcast to:
- Learn the six essential reasons to maintain high performance during uncertainty
- Develop a strategic approach to job searching while still employed
- Create an effective transition plan that showcases your professionalism
- Master the balance between internal and external networking
- Navigate workplace rumors productively while staying focused on results
Transform a challenging situation into an opportunity to demonstrate your professional value.
Search - The Big Picture
Listen to this podcast to:
- Learn seven essential channels for finding your next role
- Understand how to leverage both online and in-person job search strategies
- Maximize your chances by pursuing multiple search paths simultaneously
- Avoid the common mistake of relying on just one search method
Don't limit your search - expand your opportunities through multiple channels.
Staying In Touch
Listen to this podcast to:
- Build and maintain a resilient professional network before you need it
- Master the quarterly contact system that keeps relationships warm
- Create an effective tracking system for network maintenance
- Learn how to vary your communication methods for maximum impact
- Leverage natural opportunities to reconnect without feeling awkward
Develop a strong network that supports you through career changes and opportunities.
Even More Help
Didn’t find what you were looking for? Check out these topics:
- Searching For A New Role
- Using Your Network When Searching For A New Job
- Your Network
- Searching For A New Job In Special Circumstances
- Attending Interviews
Still need help? Email us, and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Next Level Support
Our podcasts offer advice at no cost. To unlock personalized support to fast-track your next career move purchase a Manager Tools license. You'll get expert resume reviews, direct access to our experienced staff, and connections to our established professional community. Plus, gain immediate access to our proven Resume Workbook and comprehensive Interview Series – tools that have helped thousands land their ideal roles.
Learn More About Manager Tools LicensesLeading Through Uncertainty
Managers face a unique challenge during potential layoffs - carrying the weight of both personal uncertainty and responsibility for their team members' livelihoods. While navigating your own career concerns, you must also maintain team morale, prepare for difficult conversations, and potentially advocate for your direct reports in critical retention meetings. It's a complex emotional and professional balancing act. You don't have to figure it out alone. Below, we outline key strategies for managing through uncertainty and provide frameworks for making and communicating difficult decisions.
Podcasts For Leading Through Layoffs
What To Say If You Have To Lay Someone Off
Listen to this podcast to:
- Prepare pre-written comments to guide layoff conversations
- Open with clarity by saying, "You're being laid off"
- Maintain a compassionate but direct approach
- Keep the discussion focused on the employee's situation, not your feelings
Deliver difficult news with clarity and compassion.
Layoff Communications: Handling Confidentiality
Listen to this podcast to:
- Understand the rules of layoff-related confidentiality
- Learn how to respond professionally to layoff rumors and questions
- Master the "openly confidential" communication approach
- Develop appropriate responses that maintain trust and integrity
- Navigate sensitive conversations while upholding professional ethics
Maintain your professional integrity while managing sensitive workplace transitions.
Harvesting Annual Reviews For Layoff Preparation
Listen to this podcast to:
- Transform your annual reviews into powerful advocacy tools during downsizing
- Document key performance metrics that protect your team during difficult decisions
- Build compelling evidence of organizational value and cross-functional impact
- Create strategic documentation of growth potential and future roles
- Identify and leverage potential supporters across the organization
Turn standard performance reviews into strategic assets for workforce planning.
Advocate For Your Team
Listen to this podcast to:
- Prepare for "Steel Cage Death Meetings" during workforce reductions
- Gather and present data that demonstrates your team's results
- Document both strengths and known weaknesses with honesty
- Create a concise, one-page summary highlighting team value
Advocate for your people effectively and professionally.
Compassionate Layoffs
Listen to this podcast to:
- Understand the importance of empathy and clear communication during layoffs
- Learn strategies to support affected employees while maintaining team morale
- Navigate the complexities of delivering difficult news with compassion
Lead your team's layoff process with the care and respect you'd hope to receive.
Even More Help
Didn't find what you were looking for? Check out these topics:
Still need help? Email us, and we'll point you in the right direction.
Next Level Support
Our podcasts offer advice at no cost. To unlock personalized support to fast-track your next career move purchase a Manager Tools license. You'll get expert resume reviews, direct access to our experienced staff, and connections to our established professional community. Plus, gain immediate access to our proven Resume Workbook and comprehensive Interview Series – tools that have helped thousands land their ideal roles.
Learn More About Manager Tools LicensesSupporting Others Through Career Crisis
When layoffs strike, many of us freeze - unsure how to help colleagues and friends facing career upheaval. We worry about saying the wrong thing, feel helpless in the face of their situation, or convince ourselves they'd rather be left alone. But those experiencing a career crisis need their network most when facing uncertainty. You have more power to help than you might think, whether through making introductions, providing recommendations, or simply offering steady support. Below, we outline specific actions you can take to make a meaningful difference for colleagues experiencing career disruption.
Podcasts For Helping Others
How to Support Someone Facing Career Crisis
Listen to this podcast to:
- Learn the exact words to use when reaching out to affected colleagues
- Create a simple three-step support system: Email, Call, Follow-up
- Overcome hesitation about "intruding" or saying the wrong thing
- Make meaningful contact that shows genuine care and support
- Maintain consistent support throughout their transition period
Turn concern into meaningful action that makes a difference.
How to Help Someone Who's Been Laid Off
Listen to this podcast to:
- Get the crucial first steps for effectively supporting a laid-off colleague
- Learn how to review and provide feedback on their resume
- Ask the right questions to understand their career goals and preferences
- Make targeted, meaningful introductions to your network
- Maintain consistent support throughout their job search
Transform good intentions into effective career assistance.
Supporting Others By Opening Your Network
Listen to this podcast to:
- Learn why accepting connection requests from laid-off colleagues is crucial
- Navigate connection requests professionally when you can't directly help
- Maintain appropriate boundaries while being supportive
- Stay meaningfully connected with affected colleagues over time
- Position yourself as an ongoing resource during their transition
Be the connection that makes a difference in someone's career transition.
Supporting Others Across Industry Lines
Listen to this podcast to:
- Learn how to help laid-off colleagues while maintaining professional boundaries
- Navigate industry relationships ethically during downsizing periods
- Share appropriate information that helps others land on their feet
- Build supportive networks across company lines
- Balance confidentiality with compassion when helping others
Create meaningful industry connections that help others through career transitions.
Welcoming Someone After a Layoff
Listen to this podcast to:
- Help new colleagues rebuild their confidence after career disruption
- Create an especially welcoming environment for someone post-layoff
- Balance empathy for their past situation with focus on their fresh start
- Build meaningful connections that help them integrate quickly
- Support their transition while maintaining professional boundaries
Help someone turn a career setback into a successful new beginning.
How To Handle Difficult Conversations At Work
Listen to this podcast to:
- Navigate conversations about laid-off colleagues professionally
- Learn how to discuss layoffs without spreading negativity
- Balance transparency with appropriate discretion
- Protect others' reputations during career transitions
- Model supportive behavior when discussing organizational changes
Be a source of stability and support during uncertain times.
Next Level Support
Our podcasts offer advice at no cost. To unlock personalized support to fast-track your next career move purchase a Manager Tools license. You'll get expert resume reviews, direct access to our experienced staff, and connections to our established professional community. Plus, gain immediate access to our proven Resume Workbook and comprehensive Interview Series – tools that have helped thousands land their ideal roles.
Learn More About Manager Tools Licenses