The experience of a layoff is more than a professional disruption—it’s an emotional one. In the article “Laid Off? What Did (and Didn’t) Happen to You” published on ATD, I explored the psychological impact of layoffs and the stories that rarely make it into public conversations.
Across industries, professionals describe the same reaction pattern: disbelief, loss of trust, and disconnection from their own sense of value. Although layoffs are often presented as business decisions, the internal narrative many people face sounds very different: “What did I do wrong?”
This gap between the organizational rationale and the personal experience is where many people get stuck.
What we heard from those affected
After hundreds of conversations with individuals navigating layoffs, a clear theme emerged: people don’t just need job search advice—they need space to process what happened.
Layoffs tend to isolate. People stop talking about it because they don’t want to appear bitter or ungrateful. Yet what they need most is connection—a modern version of a layoff support group that normalizes the emotions behind the event.
As one of our coaches, Marcus, put it:
“The hardest part isn’t the rejection. It’s what people start believing about themselves afterward.”
A new kind of recovery model
These conversations revealed that traditional career transition resources overlook something critical: emotional recovery.
While résumé writing and interview coaching are essential, they don’t rebuild the confidence erosion that often follows job loss.
That gap is why we created Layoff to Clarity™.
The program was designed to operate as both a structured process and a safe environment—combining professional insight with the communal aspects of a support group.
Its purpose is not simply to accelerate reemployment but to restore agency, self-trust, and clarity about what comes next.
Looking ahead
Layoffs will continue to be a reality of modern work, but the way we support those experiencing them must evolve. The future of career transition is not just about placement; it’s about recovery.
By reframing layoffs as human experiences rather than administrative outcomes, organizations can begin to rebuild trust and belonging.
Layoff to Clarity™ was built for that moment—where data ends, and empathy begins.
Karol Figueroa
CEO, HIK Trainings®
Creator of Layoff to Clarity™ — a program designed to help individuals rebuild confidence and clarity after job loss.
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About the Author
Karol L. Figueroa is the CEO and Founder of HIK Trainings®, creator of the HIK Method™, and a pioneer in emotionally intelligent leadership development. With nearly two decades of experience leading global teams—including senior leadership at Microsoft—Karol helps organizations build sustainable, high-performing cultures through science-backed coaching and AI-supported learning.
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