Mass layoffs are hitting workers across sectors in 2026. This guide provides practical steps for processing your layoff, managing finances, updating your resume, and moving forward with confidence.
This guide is for workers across industries and locations who have been affected by large‑scale layoffs, whether in plants, offices, or public service.
Mass layoffs continue to reshape the North American labor market in 2026. More than 1.1 million job cuts were announced through late 2025, with economists predicting continued instability into the new year. Whether you work in technology, manufacturing, logistics, or professional services, the period immediately after a layoff brings uncertainty, financial stress, and questions about what comes next.
The scale of recent layoffs has been staggering. In Nebraska, Tyson Foods announced it would close its Lexington beef processing plant in January 2026, eliminating 3,200 jobs in a town of just 11,000 people. Combined with shift reductions at Tyson's Amarillo, Texas facility, nearly 5,000 meatpacking workers face displacement. For workers affected by these closures, we have published a dedicated guide: Tyson Plant Layoffs 2026: What Lexington and Amarillo Workers Can Do Next.
In Canada, federal government restructuring has displaced thousands of public servants in Ottawa and across the country. The Ottawa federal job cuts have created a wave of experienced professionals entering the job market simultaneously, many of whom have not updated a resume or interviewed for a position in years.
These events are not isolated. They reflect broader structural changes in how organizations manage workforce costs, respond to economic uncertainty, and integrate automation into operations. This guide provides practical steps for navigating a layoff in the current climate, regardless of your industry or location.
The current wave of job cuts differs from past recessions in both structure and scale. Glassdoor's 2026 workforce analysis describes a shift toward "forever layoffs," where organizations conduct frequent, smaller reductions rather than single large-scale events. These rolling cuts now account for more than half of all layoffs, creating persistent workplace anxiety even for employees who remain.
AI adoption continues to influence staffing decisions across white-collar sectors. Major technology firms have eliminated tens of thousands of positions, citing efficiency gains from automation in customer service, data processing, and administrative functions. Manufacturing and logistics sectors face pressure from automation, tariff uncertainty, and shifting consumer demand.
Economic forecasters project unemployment will stabilize around 4.4 to 4.5 percent in 2026, with modest job growth concentrated in healthcare, skilled trades, construction, and supply chain roles. The labor market is rebalancing toward skills-based hiring and contract work, with fewer entry-level openings and tighter competition for permanent positions.
Understanding these dynamics helps you approach your job search with realistic expectations and strategic focus. For detailed analysis of labor market conditions in your region, see our hiring trends coverage for the United States, Canada, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Texas, California, and other regions.
The first step after a layoff is pause. Shock, frustration, relief, or even anger are all normal responses to losing a job. Giving yourself permission to process the transition before immediately launching into a job search leads to clearer thinking and better decisions in the weeks ahead.
For workers who have been through multiple layoffs in recent years, this processing period becomes even more important. Chronic job insecurity affects mental health, relationships, and long-term career planning. Taking a few days to acknowledge the impact of a layoff, rather than suppressing it, builds resilience for the search ahead.
This is especially true for workers in communities where a single employer dominates the local economy. In Lexington, Nebraska, where Tyson employed roughly one-third of the town's residents, the closure affects not just individuals but entire families, neighborhoods, and the broader community. The Associated Press reported that some workers described the plant as their "motherland," a place where immigrants who arrived without English skills or high school diplomas were able to buy homes, raise families, and send children to college. Losing that foundation is more than a career setback. It's a disruption of identity and community.
Similarly, Ottawa's federal job cuts have displaced workers who built careers in public service, many of whom relocated specifically for government positions and now face decisions about whether to stay or leave a city where their professional networks are concentrated.
Whatever your situation, give yourself permission to feel the weight of the change before pushing forward.
Financial clarity reduces stress and allows you to focus on opportunities rather than panic. Start by reviewing your severance package in detail. Understand what you are receiving, how it will be paid, and what benefits continue during the transition period.
Severance packages typically include:
In Canada, statutory minimums vary by province, but common law entitlements can significantly exceed these minimums depending on your age, position, length of service, and difficulty finding comparable work. If you are offered a severance package, consider having it reviewed by an employment lawyer before signing, especially if you have significant tenure or are in a specialized field.
Severance can be paid as a lump sum or as salary continuance, where you receive regular paychecks for a defined period. The payment structure affects both your taxes and your eligibility for Employment Insurance benefits.
Canada's Employment Insurance program provides temporary income support for workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. In response to economic uncertainty and tariff-related job losses, the federal government implemented Pilot Project 24, which temporarily improved EI access through early 2026.
Key temporary measures extended through April 11, 2026 include:
Apply for EI within 30 days of your layoff, even if you have not yet finalized your severance agreement or received your Record of Employment. Benefits typically begin around 28 days after application. If you receive severance later, you will need to repay any overlapping EI payments, but your benefit period will be extended accordingly.
For workers in Ontario navigating the federal job cuts, the provincial job market context matters. Review hiring trends in Ontario to understand which sectors are growing and where transferable skills from government work may be valued.
U.S. unemployment insurance varies by state but generally provides benefits for 12 to 26 weeks, calculated as a percentage of your previous earnings up to a state maximum. Severance pay typically does not prevent you from claiming unemployment benefits unless it is structured as wage continuation.
File your claim as soon as possible after your layoff. Most states allow online applications and require weekly certification that you remain available for work and are actively seeking employment.
For workers affected by the Tyson closures in Nebraska and Texas:
Both states have held informational sessions for displaced workers. If additional sessions are scheduled in your area, attend them. These events often provide direct access to career counselors, information about retraining programs, and connections to employers who are hiring.
List your essential expenses including housing, utilities, food, insurance, and minimum debt payments. Compare these against your severance pay, unemployment benefits, emergency savings, and any other income sources. This calculation tells you how long you can sustain your current spending and whether you need to make adjustments while searching for work.
Consider the following questions:
Having a clear financial timeline reduces anxiety and helps you make strategic rather than desperate career decisions. If you anticipate difficulty with payments, contact creditors proactively. Many mortgage lenders, credit card companies, and utility providers offer hardship programs for customers experiencing job loss.
File for unemployment within the first week of your last day, even if you're unsure about eligibility. Delays in filing can delay your first payment. If you receive severance later, you can address any overlapping benefits at that time.
Mass layoffs often arrive without warning, leaving many workers with outdated application materials. Refresh your resume while the details of your most recent role are still clear in your mind.
For workers who have been with a single employer for many years, this step can feel overwhelming. A Tyson worker with 25 years at the Lexington plant may not have written a resume since the 1990s. A federal employee in Ottawa who joined the public service out of university may have never created a private-sector resume at all.
The good news is that the fundamentals of effective resume writing haven't changed as much as the technology around it. The core principle remains the same: clearly communicate what you can do and the value you bring.
Modern hiring systems rely heavily on applicant tracking systems (ATS) that scan resumes for relevant keywords, skills, and qualifications before human reviewers see applications. An ATS-optimized resume uses industry-standard terminology, clearly labeled sections, and achievements that demonstrate measurable impact.
This doesn't mean you need to game the system or stuff your resume with keywords. It means you need to write clearly, use standard formatting, and ensure your skills and experience are described in terms that match how employers advertise similar roles.
For a practical walkthrough of ATS optimization, see Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly in 5 Minutes. For a deeper understanding of how these systems actually work (and don't work), see ATS Is Not the Enemy: Speed Can Be Your Secret Advantage.
The most common resume mistake is listing job duties instead of accomplishments. "Responsible for managing customer accounts" tells an employer nothing about how well you did the job. "Maintained 95 percent client retention across 40 enterprise accounts, generating $2.3 million in annual recurring revenue" tells a story of impact.
Quantified results help both ATS and human reviewers understand your value. Think about:
For workers in production, manufacturing, or trades roles, translating hands-on experience into resume language can be challenging. See What Goes in a Trades Resume: A Simple Guide for Skilled Workers and Plant Worker Layoff Resume Guide for specific guidance on describing production, quality assurance, maintenance, and supervisory experience.
Tailoring your resume doesn't mean rewriting the entire document for every job. It means emphasizing the skills, experiences, and achievements most relevant to the specific role. Use the job description as a guide. Identify the key requirements and responsibilities, then ensure your resume clearly shows how your experience aligns with each.
If the role emphasizes "cross-functional collaboration," your resume should include concrete examples of working across teams or departments. If it mentions "data-driven decision making," highlight instances where you used data to inform your work.
Resume builders like Yotru streamline this process by helping you align your background with employer requirements efficiently. For a comparison of available tools, see The Ultimate Guide to Resume Builders in 2026.
If there will be a gap between your layoff and your next position, be prepared to address it. Gaps are more common and less stigmatized than they used to be, especially following mass layoffs that were widely reported in the news.
When asked about a gap, be direct and factual: "I was part of a company-wide restructuring that eliminated 3,200 positions." Then pivot to what you did during the gap: professional development, skill-building, consulting, volunteer work, or focused job searching.
For specific language and examples, see How to Handle a Job Gap on Your Resume Without Underselling Yourself.
Update your LinkedIn profile to match your resume. Ensure your headline, summary, and experience sections accurately reflect your current skills and career goals. Recruiters actively search LinkedIn for candidates, and an optimized profile increases your visibility for roles that match your background.
Your LinkedIn headline should describe what you do or what you're looking for, not just your last job title. "Operations Manager | Supply Chain & Logistics | Seeking New Opportunities" is more searchable than "Former Manager at Tyson Foods."
For detailed guidance on aligning your resume and LinkedIn profile, see How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile Using Your Resume.
Before sending your resume anywhere, have someone with hiring experience review it. A fresh set of eyes catches errors, unclear language, and missed opportunities that you may not see after working on the document yourself.
A layoff can feel isolating, particularly when many colleagues face the same situation simultaneously. However, your professional network remains one of your most valuable assets in finding new work. Many positions are filled through referrals and networking before they are ever posted publicly.
Reach out to former coworkers, managers, mentors, and professional contacts. Let them know you are exploring new opportunities and specify what kinds of roles interest you. People cannot help if they do not know you are looking or what you want.
This can feel uncomfortable, especially if you're not used to asking for help. Reframe networking as information gathering rather than job begging. You're not asking people to give you a job. You're asking for advice, perspective, and connections that might lead to opportunities.
Effective networking conversations might include:
Join industry-specific groups, attend virtual or in-person networking events, and participate in professional communities related to your field. These connections often lead to job leads, referrals, or valuable information about which companies are hiring.
For a comprehensive guide to building and maintaining professional relationships, see Networking Strategies: How to Build Professional Connections That Last.
If you were laid off as part of a mass reduction, consider forming a support network with former colleagues. Sharing job leads, practicing interviews together, and providing mutual encouragement can make the transition less isolating and more productive.
In communities like Lexington, Nebraska, where thousands of workers face the same transition simultaneously, these informal networks can be particularly valuable. A coworker may hear about an opportunity that's a better fit for you than for them. Someone else may have experience with a local employer or training program. Pooling information and support benefits everyone.
Layoffs create an opportunity to reassess your career path and add new capabilities that strengthen your competitiveness. Short courses, certifications, or retraining programs can signal to employers that you are current, adaptable, and committed to professional development.
Identify skills gaps in your field. If job postings for your target roles consistently list requirements you do not have, consider whether acquiring those skills is feasible within your timeline and budget. Even basic proficiency in high-demand areas like data analysis, project management software, or emerging AI tools can differentiate you from other candidates.
Many provinces and states offer displaced worker programs that subsidize training costs for laid-off employees. In Canada, check whether your former employer participated in programs that make you eligible for funded retraining. Some severance agreements include provisions for career transition support or tuition assistance.
Common training paths for displaced workers include:
For workers considering a career change after a plant closure, some are exploring whether AI is pushing workers toward blue-collar careers, where demand remains strong and automation pressure is lower.
For detailed guidance on retraining options, see How to Upskill After a Layoff and Post-Layoff Training Options for Plant and Factory Workers.
Before committing to a retraining program, research job demand in your area for that field. Ask the program about job placement rates and average starting wages for graduates. A certificate in a field with no local jobs won't help your situation.
The instinct after a layoff is often to apply to as many jobs as possible as quickly as possible. This approach rarely produces results. A smaller number of carefully targeted, well-tailored applications outperforms dozens of generic submissions.
Before applying, research the company and role. Understand what the organization does, who its customers are, and what challenges it faces. Tailor your application to demonstrate how your background addresses those specific needs.
Use the job description as a guide. Identify the key requirements and responsibilities, then ensure your resume clearly shows how your experience aligns with each. If the role emphasizes "cross-functional collaboration" or "data-driven decision making," your resume should include concrete examples of these capabilities.
Cover letters remain valuable for explaining career transitions, addressing employment gaps, or highlighting particularly relevant achievements that might not fit naturally on a resume. Keep them concise, focused, and specific to the role.
Track your applications systematically. Record where you applied, when, what version of your resume you used, and any follow-up required. This organization prevents duplicate applications and helps you evaluate which strategies produce interviews.
Set realistic daily goals. Applying to 50 jobs in a day is neither sustainable nor effective. Instead, target:
Progress compounds through consistent effort, not exhausted sprints.
Interviewing while unemployed brings different challenges than interviewing while employed. You may face questions about why you left your previous role, what you have been doing during your job search, and how you handle setbacks.
Practice explaining your layoff clearly and without defensiveness. "My position was eliminated as part of a company-wide restructuring that affected 3,200 employees" is factual, professional, and unremarkable in the current labor market. Avoid criticizing your former employer, even if the layoff was handled poorly.
Prepare to discuss what you have been doing during your transition. This might include professional development, consulting or freelance work, volunteer activities, or focused skill-building. Employers want to see that you have remained engaged and productive rather than passive.
Use behavioral interview frameworks to structure your responses. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) helps you deliver concise, relevant answers that demonstrate your capabilities through concrete examples:
Research the company thoroughly before your interview. Understand its products, services, market position, recent news, and culture. Prepare thoughtful questions that show genuine interest and help you evaluate whether the role is right for you.
For comprehensive interview guidance, see Interview Preparation Tips: How to Prepare and Impress Employers. For guidance on explaining a layoff specifically, see How to Explain a Mass Layoff to Employers.
When asked about salary expectations, be prepared with market research. Know the typical range for the role in your location and experience level. If asked about your previous salary, you can decline to share it in many jurisdictions, or explain that you're focused on the market rate for this role.
For workers moving from union environments with standardized pay scales (like Tyson's meatpacking plants) or government positions (like Ottawa's federal jobs), private-sector salary negotiation may be unfamiliar. Research the market, practice the conversation, and remember that negotiation is expected in most private-sector contexts.
See Do You Need to Disclose Your Current Salary While Interviewing? for guidance on navigating these conversations.
Job loss ranks among the most stressful life events. The combination of financial uncertainty, identity disruption, and repeated rejection during the search process takes a toll on mental and physical well-being.
Maintain routines. Get up at a consistent time, exercise regularly, eat properly, and protect your sleep schedule. Treating your job search like a full-time job, but with clear boundaries, prevents burnout and maintains energy.
Stay connected to people outside of work. Social isolation compounds the psychological impact of unemployment. Maintain friendships, participate in community activities, and seek support from people who care about you.
In communities experiencing mass layoffs, like Lexington or Ottawa, the shared experience can be both a source of support and additional stress. You may find comfort in knowing others face the same challenges, but you may also feel surrounded by anxiety and uncertainty. Seek out connections that energize you and limit exposure to conversations that drain you.
If you notice persistent symptoms of anxiety or depression, including difficulty sleeping, loss of interest in activities, persistent worry, or feelings of hopelessness, consider speaking with a mental health professional. Many employee assistance programs extend benefits for a period after layoffs, and community mental health services provide support regardless of employment status.
Unfortunately, layoffs attract bad actors. Be cautious of:
If something feels too good to be true, it probably is. Verify opportunities through official channels before committing.
The 2026 labor market increasingly values flexibility in work arrangements. Contract roles, project-based work, and fractional positions have become more common as companies seek to remain agile in uncertain economic conditions.
For some workers, a layoff may prompt consideration of geographic relocation. Tyson has offered affected Lexington workers the opportunity to transfer to other facilities, though this would require moving hundreds of miles. Before making relocation decisions, consider cost of living, family and support networks, housing availability, and whether you're prepared to rebuild community connections in a new place.
Team Yotru
Employability Systems & Applied Research
Team Yotru
Employability Systems & Applied Research
We bring expertise in career education, workforce development, labor market research, and employability technology. We partner with training providers, career services teams, nonprofits, and public-sector organizations to turn research and policy into practical tools used in real employment and retraining programs. Our approach balances evidence and real hiring realities to support employability systems that work in practice. Follow us on LinkedIn.
Job search timelines vary significantly based on your field, seniority, location, and market conditions. Current data suggests the average search takes between three and six months for professional roles, though some workers find positions faster while others face longer timelines. Senior roles, specialized positions, and career transitions typically take longer than mid-level positions in your current field.
This guide is written for workers who have experienced a mass layoff and need practical guidance on finances, benefits, job search strategy, and moving forward. It addresses both Canadian and U.S. workers navigating displacement in the current economy.
Content synthesizes current labor market data, employment insurance policy, and career transition research. It draws on government labor statistics, workforce development research, and established career guidance frameworks.
This article is maintained for accuracy and updated as labor market conditions and benefit policies change. It is designed to provide evidence-based recommendations without promotional language or outcome guarantees.
This article provides general information and is not legal, financial, or professional advice. Individual circumstances vary. Consult with appropriate professionals or government agencies for guidance specific to your situation.
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