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What to Do Next After the Perley Health Job Cuts
Synopsis
Facing a layoff in health care after the Perley Health job cuts? Learn practical steps to stabilize your career, update your resume, prepare for interviews, and find new opportunities.
Understanding the Impact of the Perley Health Job Cuts
The recent announcement of layoffs at Perley Health in Ottawa has affected 38 dedicated health care workers. These layoffs are not merely statistics; they represent disrupted lives, lost routines, and significant financial and emotional challenges.
Many of the jobs cut are frontline roles crucial to patient care and safety. These positions are deeply tied to the dignity of those in care and the quality of service provided.
If you find yourself among those laid off, it’s important to remember: this moment does not define your professional worth or your future in health care.
Key Insight
Health care layoffs impact more than jobs. They affect patient care quality and worker well-being, highlighting the human side of budget decisions.
What to Focus on First After a Layoff
Before jumping into job applications, pause and concentrate on these three foundational steps:
- 1Stabilize your story: Understand that layoffs are structural, not personal. When discussing your layoff, keep your explanation clear, factual, and brief.
- 2Translate your experience: Identify transferable skills like crisis management, communication, and teamwork that apply across various health care settings.
- 3Prepare for conversations, not just applications: Many opportunities arise through networking and informal talks. Being ready to discuss your background and goals confidently is crucial.
Pro Tip
Taking time to process your layoff and clarify your professional narrative can dramatically improve your job search effectiveness.
Updating Your Resume
Your resume is a key tool in repositioning yourself in the job market. After a layoff, focus on continuity and value rather than disruption.
Key Resume Principles:
- Highlight responsibilities and achievements rather than the layoff itself.
- Use language aligned with current job postings to pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
- Keep formatting simple and ATS-friendly to ensure your resume gets noticed.
- Do not overexplain the layoff; simply list your last role's end date as normal.
| Resume Tips Post-Layoff | |
|---|---|
| Tip | Explanation |
| Highlight Achievements | Focus on your impact, e.g., patient care improvements, teamwork success |
| Use Role-Relevant Keywords | Match terminology from current job ads to improve ATS ranking |
| Simple Formatting | Avoid complex layouts; use standard fonts and bullet points |
| Neutral Job End Date | List end date without labeling it a layoff unless asked |
Important
Avoid emotional language or detailed explanations about the layoff on your resume; save these discussions for interviews.
Tools like Yotru can help you rebuild or update your resume quickly and professionally, ensuring it reflects your true experience and aligns with industry standards.
Preparing for Interviews After a Layoff
Employers often ask about your previous job endings. Your answer should be:
- Honest
- Brief
- Forward-focused
Example response:
My role was impacted by funding-related staffing cuts. I am now focused on finding a position where I can continue providing high-quality care and contribute to a stable team.
Pro Tip
Practice your interview responses with a preparation kit or trusted colleague to build confidence and adjust tone appropriately.
Interview Preparation Tips
- Rehearse your layoff explanation
- Highlight your transferable skills
- Prepare questions for the interviewer
- Dress professionally and arrive early
Common Interview Questions
- Why did you leave your last job?
- How do you handle stress in patient care?
- Describe a time you worked effectively in a team
- What are your career goals?
Exploring New Opportunities in Health Care
Despite layoffs, health care continues to offer diverse job opportunities. Hospitals, clinics, home care, and community health organizations need experienced staff.
- Hospitals and acute care centers
- Long-term care facilities
- Home health care services
- Community health organizations
- Public health agencies
Key Insight
Your experience is valuable across many health care settings—be open to expanding your job search beyond your previous role or employer.
Networking, referrals, and internal postings often reveal unadvertised roles. Stay connected with professional groups and unions to access these opportunities.
Emotional Well-being and Support
Layoffs can be emotionally draining. Maintaining mental health is as important as career steps.
Hint
Consider connecting with support groups, counseling services, or employee assistance programs to manage stress and anxiety during this transition.
Moving Forward with Confidence
This layoff is a challenging chapter but not the end of your health care career. By stabilizing your story, updating your resume thoughtfully, preparing for interviews, and exploring diverse opportunities, you can reposition yourself effectively.
Remember, your skills and dedication matter deeply. The right role often comes when you focus on communicating your value clearly and confidently.
ATS-Optimized resumes That Meet Employer Standards
Our AI-powered scoring system helps organizations assess and standardize resume quality at scale. ATS-compliant templates support consistent formatting, keyword alignment, and interview readiness across cohorts.
About the Author
Team Yotru
Employability Systems
Team Yotru
Employability Systems
We build practical career tools for training providers and workforce programs, combining labor market insights with real employment outcomes. Follow us on LinkedIn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about health care layoffs and job search
Be honest and brief. Explain that the layoff was due to funding-related staffing cuts and emphasize your focus on finding a stable role where you can contribute effectively.
Related Resources
Additional resources to support your career transition
Resume Writing Tips
- How to Update Your Resume After a Layoff— Step-by-step guide to refreshing your resume post-layoff for health care professionals.
- Using Keywords to Pass Applicant Tracking Systems— Optimize your resume with role-relevant keywords to improve job application success.
Interview Preparation
- Answering ‘Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?’— Sample answers and tips for discussing layoffs professionally in interviews.
- Building Confidence for Health Care Interviews— Techniques and strategies to prepare mentally and verbally for job interviews.
Career Support
- Mental Health Resources for Laid-Off Workers— Discover counseling and support options to manage stress after job loss.
- Networking Tips for Health Care Professionals— Effective ways to build connections and find unadvertised health care jobs.
About This Article
A comprehensive guide for health care workers affected by layoffs, focusing on career recovery, resume updates, interview preparation, and emotional well-being.
Audience Context
This article is designed for health care professionals laid off due to funding cuts, particularly those impacted by the Perley Health job reductions. It addresses the unique challenges faced by workers in patient-facing roles and provides actionable career advice to navigate uncertain job markets, rebuild professional narratives, and regain employment stability.
Editorial Standards
Content is grounded in evidence-based career guidance and reflects real-world hiring practices within the health care sector. The article avoids exaggerated claims and maintains neutrality, focusing on practical steps to empower laid-off workers during transitions.
Methodology
Insights are derived from analysis of provincial health sector funding trends, union statements, and best practices in resume writing and interview preparation. The article synthesizes career transition workflows and applicant tracking system compatibility to offer reliable, repeatable guidance.
Disclaimer
This article provides informational guidance only and does not guarantee job placement or outcomes. Individual experiences may vary depending on regional job markets, organizational structures, and role-specific requirements.
References
- Business Wire. (2025). Health care workers decry 38 layoffs at Perley Health in Ottawa, to hold rally on Wednesday afternoon. https://www.businesswire.com
- Canadian Union of Public Employees. (2024, February 21). Rallying at the Perley gates: Health care staff demand better working and living conditions in residential care. https://cupe.ca/rallying-perley-gates-health-care-staff-demand-better-working-and-living-conditions-residential-care
- Financial Post. (2025). Health care workers decry 38 layoffs at Perley Health in Ottawa. https://financialpost.com
- Ontario Nurses’ Association. (2025, October 28). New report shows 7,200 nurses could be cut in Ontario due to underfunding. https://ona.org/news/20251028-fao-report-nursing-cuts/
- Ministry of Long-Term Care (Ontario). (2025, December 11). Published plans and annual reports 2025–2026: Ministry of Long-Term Care. https://www.ontario.ca/page/published-plans-and-annual-reports-2025-2026-ministry-long-term-care
- City of Toronto, Seniors Services and Long-Term Care. (2025). 2025 budget notes: Seniors services and long-term care. https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/bu/bgrd/backgroundfile-252564.pdf
- Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. (2025, April 11). Perley Health layoffs: Severance rights for Ontario health care workers. https://stlawyers.ca/blog-news/perley-health-layoffs/
- Taman Singh LLP. (2025, September 24). Hospital layoffs in Ontario: Your rights and severance pay. https://tamansinghlaw.com/blogs/hospital-layoffs-ontario-severance-rights/
- CHCH News. (2025). Ontario announces $1.25B for long-term care staffing for next year. https://www.chch.com/chch-news/ontario-announces-1-25b-for-ltc-staffing-for-next-year/
- Santis Health. (2025, October 16). Rapid recap: Long-term care staff-up and labour mobility moves. https://santishealth.ca/insights/rapid-recap-ltc-staff-up-labour-mobility-moves/
Maintained by: Yotru Career Research and Development Team
Review cycle: Reviewed regularly to reflect market changes
Last updated: January 6, 2026
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