← all posts
Career changeJan 5, 2026·5 min read

Writing your resume after a layoff

A layoff is a company event, not a verdict on you. Your resume shouldn't carry an apology.

It's not a performance signal

Layoffs hit whole teams and strong performers. Nobody expects an explanation on the resume itself — you simply have an end date like anyone who's moved on.

Keep the wins, not the ending

The work you did is exactly as real as it was the week before. Lead with the accomplishments, quantified, and let the dates be dates.

Update while it's fresh

Capture your metrics and projects now, before access to dashboards and memory fades. The specifics are what make the next resume strong.

Frame at the right level

Confidence reads on the page. Pick a level that's assertive but defensible, and walk into interviews sure of every line — which is what resumania's dial is for.

Related reading
The career-change resume: reframe, don't restartCareer change · 6 minHow to explain an employment gap without apologisingCareer change · 5 minThe returnship resume: back to work after a breakCareer change · 5 min
Put this into practice.

Build a resume that says it better — at the level you choose.

Get started →